Flatnate's Theater Build

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by onyxbfly

[Show spoiler]Great update indeed. Congrats on moving in. Welcome to home ownership. If I had nickel every time someone said that. Usually the items that sneak buy during inspection are hit and miss. I'll spare you my debacle but I deff felt like hitting someone when I got the estimate and when I paid the bill I wanted to go on a rampage.

Glad to hear that your repairs were not to catastrophic although I cant imagine the repair on the chimney being your idea of being fun.

IDK if you recall me saying that I did not care for your color choices. They just didn't capture my attention. But after this wkend I deff owe you an apology.

I helped my lady's brother install some gear in his HT and you were the first person I thought of.

I guess its one of those things that you have to physically see to truly appreciate. His furniture is red. Think over sized chairs not quite a love seat. But room enough for two and big enough to lay back with your feet up. The Walls are two tone a matte dark blue the bottom half is a some kinda charcoal grey and the molding is some kinda colour grey mixed w blue. The carpet is blue and red and grey paisley. He said that they are a couple of area rugs they had the the seams matched up to fill the space. He said he designed his theater after the Man of Steal. Although the colours look vibrant they are dark shades.

I had to pick my jaw up. When my lady said I'd enjoy his room she wasn't kidding. I asked if they could adopt me lol. You deff have a good eye for colour because I couldn't see it coming together like that.

I asked if I could take pics and he said he didn't feel comfortable with it and I respect that. If he ever changes his mind I'll shoot you some pics!!

[Show spoiler]

No need for apologies man. I still have days where I question the decisions to use that color palette as well. My issue personally with doing blue/greys, and red is that my banister coming down the stairs is still just a regular oak color. So is all the trim around the windows, and the molding. I'm still unsure how it would mix with that oak stain or if painting all of it would be in order, or staining it to like an Ebony finish nearly. Going with browns and earth tones would totally make the trim/banister thing a non-issue. Anyway, couch covers are bought in red, so that at least is set in stone.

[Badas]

Can you do what I did?



Brain Sturgeon did it as well with great effect.



I love the two tone Matt Black effect.

[Flatnate]

Took some more "before" snapshots. The first photo is looking forward from the rack location. The black gaffers tape is roughly where I plan on the screen wall sitting, with space for speakers and subs behind it.



Here are two photos looking back towards the rack. Essentially, the rack will sit in roughly that location, but be pushed back in to the wall. With rear access in the closet under the stairs. Still debating how to set it up for 7.1, otherwise I may just stick with 5.1.





I like the idea of just painting black in the area up by the screen but I want to find a way to use molding or something to frame it in rather than just having a paint line on the wall and ceiling. Looks like Brain Sturgeon almost has a lowered ceiling area with lighting and crown molding in front as well. Would be some work, but I like that.

[Badas]

^

The room rocks.

I like the layout. Rack idea is bang on.

I agree Brain Sturgeon's black paint is done better than mine. I still like mine tho. It is a good solution. Very hard to photograph.

You could do this for 7.1



I liked it. It yielded great results.

[kurtis21]

It's coming together nicely Flatnate!! Like Badas said....I would HIGHLY recommend painting your "screen-wall" AND ceiling BLACK if you can. It really makes all of the difference in the world!!

[Flatnate]

Okay maybe this is a silly question, but is 7.1 really worth it for you guys that have it now? I have been content with 5.1 up till now. I could easily do 5.1 with near perfect geometry right now with existing gear (it will have to be initially). Also, all of my Mackies align in terms of frequency response, and tonality. A perfect 7.1 configuration is possible with in-ceiling speakers in a manner that Badas recommended, otherwise doable with less than perfect geometry. Thoughts?

[Badas]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Okay maybe this is a silly question, but is 7.1 really worth it for you guys that have it now? I have been content with 5.1 up till now. I could easily do 5.1 with near perfect geometry right now with existing gear (it will have to be initially). Also, all of my Mackies align in terms of frequency response, and tonality. A perfect 7.1 configuration is possible with in-ceiling speakers in a manner that Badas recommended, otherwise doable with less than perfect geometry. Thoughts?

To early for me to comment. I only installed my surround backs last weekend. I've always been a sceptic however I have 9 amps in my AVR not being used so I thought it would be fun to install.

I ran Auddessey and everything is very well balanced and I can't tell anything difference in sound quality between my big as floorstands and the ceiling speakers. It seems that the extra two are more complementary speakers and in my room they fill a sound hole nicely.

I will chime in when I watch a few 7.1 films. Should be the next week or two. I got confirmation my new projector has landed in the country so I will be watching films again soon.

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

[/SPOILER]

No need for apologies man. I still have days where I question the decisions to use that color palette as well. My issue personally with doing blue/greys, and red is that my banister coming down the stairs is still just a regular oak color. So is all the trim around the windows, and the molding. I'm still unsure how it would mix with that oak stain or if painting all of it would be in order, or staining it to like an Ebony finish nearly. Going with browns and earth tones would totally make the trim/banister thing a non-issue. Anyway, couch covers are bought in red, so that at least is set in stone.

I do see the conundrum, I think it can work, a nice deep cherry or wine can blend in and tie it all together. Then again I like the idea of ebony. Have you thought about espresso, sort of like a cross between dark brown and black?

If you paint the screen wall black and the ceiling in front of the screen wall black i think the black or espresso mounding trim etc would tie it all together nicely.

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Took some more "before" snapshots. The first photo is looking forward from the rack location. The black gaffers tape is roughly where I plan on the screen wall sitting, with space for speakers and subs behind it.

[Show spoiler]


Here are two photos looking back towards the rack. Essentially, the rack will sit in roughly that location, but be pushed back in to the wall. With rear access in the closet under the stairs. Still debating how to set it up for 7.1, otherwise I may just stick with 5.1.





I like the idea of just painting black in the area up by the screen but I want to find a way to use molding or something to frame it in rather than just having a paint line on the wall and ceiling. Looks like Brain Sturgeon almost has a lowered ceiling area with lighting and crown molding in front as well. Would be some work, but I like that.

I'm jealous of the drywall and the space LOL. Your basement is damn near done lol.

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by onyxbfly

I'm jealous of the drywall and the space LOL. Your basement is damn near done lol.

Oh! Its totally ready to go for any normal person. Yeah, sometimes I think having all the rock up is actually a disadvantage for running all this wring (then my friends who have done rock tell me otherwise). I also kinda wish it was unfinished so I could possibly have put in some kind of soffit.

My friends and family hear me talk about pulling out the carpet to put in a riser and stage and think I belong in the looney bin.

I think switching the trim to an espresso color would be great and is the way to go eventually. It just may happen after completion, that is just so time intensive and with so many other things on the to-do list.

[rpatt]

Great room. Shaping up nicely.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Okay maybe this is a silly question, but is 7.1 really worth it for you guys that have it now? I have been content with 5.1 up till now. I could easily do 5.1 with near perfect geometry right now with existing gear (it will have to be initially). Also, all of my Mackies align in terms of frequency response, and tonality. A perfect 7.1 configuration is possible with in-ceiling speakers in a manner that Badas recommended, otherwise doable with less than perfect geometry. Thoughts?

For me, it most definitely Is worth it. Most/many "newer" Action-Adventure/Sci-Fi big budget movies released in the last few years come out sporting 7.1 (Dts-HD MA, usually) Audio tracks, & they Can & DO usually sound Fantastic ("HELLBOY II", is in my Top 3 blurays featuring 7.1 Audio, to name just one).

I've had 7.1 for 2-3 years now, maybe a bit more (?), & don't regret it one bit. Even for movies with 5.1, you can "Matrix" them (if you so desire), so they're Almost playing like 7.1 blurays do.

** NOTE: Some blurays have Both 5.1 AND 7.1 Tracks, like this one. **

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Oh! Its totally ready to go for any normal person. Yeah, sometimes I think having all the rock up is actually a disadvantage for running all this wring (then my friends who have done rock tell me otherwise). I also kinda wish it was unfinished so I could possibly have put in some kind of soffit.

My friends and family hear me talk about pulling out the carpet to put in a riser and stage and think I belong in the looney bin.

I think switching the trim to an espresso color would be great and is the way to go eventually. It just may happen after completion, that is just so time intensive and with so many other things on the to-do list.

I think we are the norm and everyone else belongs in the looney bin You can still do soffit if you like. Since your HVAC is done you can go as shallow as you like or as thick as you like. I guess that's why they call trim finish work. Its the stuff you do when your damn near finished lol. Not like you have to install it unless you want something different. If you go that route its still done at the end.

[Flatnate]

Ok! Finally! Real progress. The reciprocating saw came out. I had a buddy come over who has done a bit more remodeling and construction than I have and we started cutting out the cavity for the rack (yeah that's him trying to get out a piece of the footer). Anyway, we opened up the wall between the theater room and the closet under the stair case. The wall wasn't load bearing but it sat under a load bearing beam so the wall had an empty space within it and as such there is plenty of space for the rack. The rack hardly extends in to the closet. I still need to take care of some wiring within that wall space before we reframe the back side, seal it up with some drywall, corner bead and mud.








Once that is done, most of the energy will be spent running wire. That could take a while. One last piece of great news is that I found XLR pro audio style Decora wall plate inserts for .88 cents a piece (remember I'm running the active monitors that need line level signal input)!

[Badas]

^

That is great progress. The rack is going to look great. It is the perfect space. Flush and good venting.

It makes me want to take a holiday, buy a plane ticket and start crawling around helping with wiring. I love this stuff.

Please keep posting any progress like this.

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Ok! Finally! Real progress. The reciprocating saw came out. I had a buddy come over who has done a bit more remodeling and construction than I have and we started cutting out the cavity for the rack (yeah that's him trying to get out a piece of the footer). Anyway, we opened up the wall between the theater room and the closet under the stair case. The wall wasn't load bearing but it sat under a load bearing beam so the wall had an empty space within it and as such there is plenty of space for the rack. The rack hardly extends in to the closet. I still need to take care of some wiring within that wall space before we reframe the back side, seal it up with some drywall, corner bead and mud.

[Show spoiler]

Once that is done, most of the energy will be spent running wire. That could take a while. One last piece of great news is that I found XLR pro audio style Decora wall plate inserts for .88 cents a piece (remember I'm running the active monitors that need line level signal input)!

She looks right at home right where she belongs. Great progress indeed.

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Badas

^

That is great progress. The rack is going to look great. It is the perfect space. Flush and good venting.

It makes me want to take a holiday, buy a plane ticket and start crawling around helping with wiring. I love this stuff.

Please keep posting any progress like this.

I got plenty of wiring for you, if you are ever so inclined.

[Flatnate]

The odd thing with my wiring is that I will actually be running mostly this stuff:

Binary™ Cables 22-Gauge 2-Cond 7-Strand CMR-Rated Shielded Audio/Ctrl Wire
http://www.snapav.com/p-1886-nst-222-sh-r-1k-gry.aspx

If someone knows of a better type of cable for what is essentially in wall microphone cabling then let me know. This is mainly because right now all of my speakers are active self amplified studio monitors. I like them! I could see an upgrade consisting of the hopefully coming Emotiva Stealth 88 dual woofer, ribbon tweeter active monitors. If the Emotivas don't pan out I would also love to run self powered Genelecs as well.

I do however see a day where I might possibly go back to a traditional passive speaker set up. My brother has some GoldenEars Triton Three's and I love them. I would love to hear the new Miller and Kriesel Audio "monitors" someday. So that said I'm debating if I should run traditional speaker cabling at the same time... which is a LOT of cabling as it would essentially be two wires for every speaker in the room.

So if I was to do that do I just run the unused audio cable in to the same box as the grounded two conductor I'm using now and just let it sit back there, then change out the Decora faceplate if I switch to passive speakers? Or do I buy a larger in-wall box, with another gang to it and another binding post faceplate to it that will be unused right now? That would begin to eat up some serious wall space. Which isn't an issue behind the screen but I'm thinking at the surround locations it would start to look silly.

Thoughts?

[onyxbfly]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

The odd thing with my wiring is that I will actually be running mostly this stuff:

Binary™ Cables 22-Gauge 2-Cond 7-Strand CMR-Rated Shielded Audio/Ctrl Wire
http://www.snapav.com/p-1886-nst-222-sh-r-1k-gry.aspx

If someone knows of a better type of cable for what is essentially in wall microphone cabling then let me know. This is mainly because right now all of my speakers are active self amplified studio monitors. I like them! I could see an upgrade consisting of the hopefully coming Emotiva Stealth 88 dual woofer, ribbon tweeter active monitors. If the Emotivas don't pan out I would also love to run self powered Genelecs as well.

I do however see a day where I might possibly go back to a traditional passive speaker set up. My brother has some GoldenEars Triton Three's and I love them. I would love to hear the new Miller and Kriesel Audio "monitors" someday. So that said I'm debating if I should run traditional speaker cabling at the same time... which is a LOT of cabling as it would essentially be two wires for every speaker in the room.

So if I was to do that do I just run the unused audio cable in to the same box as the grounded two conductor I'm using now and just let it sit back there, then change out the Decora faceplate if I switch to passive speakers? Or do I buy a larger box, with another gang to it and another binding plate faceplate to it that will be unused right now? That would begin to eat up some serious wall space. Which isn't an issue behind the screen but I'm thinking at the surround locations it would start to look silly.

Thoughts?

Out of my depth on that one, hopefully someone will have a suggestion for you. If no one has any suggestions hit me via PM and I can ask my lady to ask her bro. He owns a recording studio. I'm sure he has worked with something like that in his travels.

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by onyxbfly

Out of my depth on that one, hopefully someone will have a suggestion for you. If no one has any suggestions hit me via PM and I can ask my lady to ask her bro. He owns a recording studio. I'm sure he has worked with something like that in his travels.

No sweat. Thanks though. Pretty sure I have the right product picked out for the 22 guage grounded in-wall microphone cable. I think the issue is more about the actual boxes in the wall and if I want to lean towards function or aesthetic with changing out the plates if I want to switch.

Speaking of future-proofing. I debated running HDMI to the wall that the screen wall will sit on. The logic was if I ever sold the place and the screen wall comes down, then someone could just hook a flat panel up on that wall. However, that is a monster of an HDMI cable to purchase just for the idea of future-proofing for someone else (and its not really like a theater room will add value to the home in my market and price point). Not to mention we will be in this home for at least seven years. God only knows what cable standard will be the norm by then. In that case I'm tempted to run Cat6 to that wall. At least you can send HDMI over HDBaseT for that. It would certainly cut down on the need to buy a pricey chip boosted HDMI cable now. In fact the distance may be even too long for the Redmere chip boosted stuff.

In case you guys are wondering what I keep blabbing about. I found these bad boys for like .85 cents a peice. That was a mega score by the way.



The question is if I buy a larger box with another gang and install some of these right next to them?



Remember I need a standard outlet in the box as well. So with the rear speakers its a matter of a two or three gang box. Behind the screen wall I'd probably have to cut in an additional box for the binding post runs. Plan B is to terminate them in the wall behind the boxes for now.