Kal's Basement HT and Bar (lots 'o pics)

[kalW]

Hi Everyone!

I thought I'd share my setup - it's been evolving since about 2000 to the current setup. I've always had a love for movies and beer & wine (I make both) so I've combined it all as a HT and bar setup!

The equipment:

Speakers: Paradigm Signature S8 / C5 / ADP / Servo [Review]
Projector: Zenith 1200 / Barco Cine 8 Onyx CRT projector [Review]
Preamp: Acurus ACT-3
Amps: Acurus A200x3, A100x2
Blu-ray: Playstation 3 (fed through an HDfury2 HDMI converter)
Satellite: Bell ExpressVu 9200 HD-PVR (fed through an RTC2200 component converter)
Screen: 96x54" specially painted custom screen, 1.1 gain, wrapped in velvet
Acoustic tiles: Home made/custom
Seating: Jaymar Leather HT recliners (2 rows of 3)
Control: Pronto, Xantech IR distribution, IR controlled lighting

All custom work, building, installation, treatment, and calibration performed by myself.

My background:

I'm the webmaster and editor of the CurtPalme.com home theater website where I spend a lot of time writing up procedures, guides, and other home theater tips. Latest work is the 22,000 word free GREYSCALE & COLOUR CALIBRATION FOR DUMMIES guide that walks anyone through the process of getting the absolute best picture out of any TV or projector.

Pictures:















I'm also an avid beer brewer and typically have anywhere from 4-8 kegs on homemade beer on tap:


The beer is made straight from raw materials (grain, hops) in a brewery room I've set up in the back: (See TheElectricBrewery.com).



More HT information, pictures, and DIY how-to instructions

Kal

[Beta Man]

Brew up a stout..... I'm on my way!


That is a FANTASTIC looking media room, and bar area. Certainly is a great place to entertain guests. Consider me green with envy.


If you don't mind me asking...... how much did the CRT set you back?

[Twitch9]

I hate you but love your speakers, first HT with Paradigm Sigs i've seen in the forms i'm very jealous. Any plans on updating the 3 gun projector in the near future. You really need to get some Canadian beer on tap those look a bit on the light side

[Another_Dude]

Sweet Jebus that is a beautiful setup.

[detector19]

just told my wife I wont this and she threw me out the house...

[BLURAYSONYES]

Very rare indeed to see a clean system like this. Ill give you a 10 for this.

[btf1980]

Adopt me.

[rded]

Originally Posted by btf1980

Adopt me.

You beat me to it Kal, will you adopt me as well??

[P@t_Mtl]

Ok I am not crazy about beer (I don't drink) but I LOVE your setup, incredible, amazing, superb....in short yes I envy you

[NewPurple]

Wow

[xneox]

Beautiful.

[Grevlin]

Why do you need the upstairs?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

Why do you need the upstairs?

Totaly agree, I would need to have win the loto in other to have a setup like this cause there is no way I would be able to leave and go to work anyway

[bigred7078]

i came across your setup on AVS yesterday when i was looking up info on the Signatures. Just beautiful!!! Awesome setup man, im very jealous!

I have been considering the S6 v2 and C3 v2 myself

[SeanMF]

Now thats a setup worth hoping for.

[RWebb74]

Love it love it love it. Nice job.

[kalW]

Thanks for the comments guys!

I already have enough friends who have been 'adopted' so I'm afraid the house is full...

For what it's worth I have many plans still in the works. The room is not a dedicated room so it presents a lot of challenges.

I would like to replace the preamp and amps with an Anthem D2v processor and amps, and an extra couple of surrounds to go 7.1. Some room room treatments are required as well as running through using the room correction software but without a dedicated room it's difficult to get it perfect.

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Brew up a stout..... I'm on my way!

I used to brew a lot of stout (mostly Oatmeal stout) but lately it's actually the least of my favourites...not sure why. I do enjoy a nice Guiness when I'm out once and a while though.

If you don't mind me asking...... how much did the CRT set you back?

No charge. Just some time to originally set up the reseller's website at www.curtpalme.com. (That was many years ago when the site was much simpler). CRT projectors are dirt cheap these days however. Most of what sells though and is sought after (and worth the hassle) are the high end units. Mine was $30K new in 2000, and is at most a grand or two these days in reasonable shape. Cheaper if you buy from someone who's just dumping it and doesn't know what they have. You'll often see very capable ones selling for only a few hundred or practically free.

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I hate you but love your speakers, first HT with Paradigm Sigs i've seen in the forms i'm very jealous. Any plans on updating the 3 gun projector in the near future.

At present no. I've seen most of everything reasonably good in digital projectors including a recent RS2 ($6-8K) with a Radiance video processor ($4-5K) to tame the overly neon-like primary colours and while it was pretty nice I found it still lacking to what I have now overall. It would do some things better (sharpness) and some things worse (overall contrast and image 'punch'). Sort of sideways step. I won't upgrade until it's a significant upgrade and so far I haven't seen anything under $10-20K worth jumping for.

You really need to get some Canadian beer on tap those look a bit on the light side

Old picture. I have a 5.5% Porter and 5.2% IPA on tap now. I'd like to get a nice 7-8% IIPA going in the fall, or maybe a 9% Belgian of some sort.. A bit heavy for the summer however. The less alcohol the more you can drink!

Kal

[crackinhedz]

Author: Greyscale & Colour Calibration for Dummies Guide

...hope you don't mind that I linked to it in the calibration thread.

Excellent HT setup!

[Sciatti]

Wow...incredible setup. And welcome to the site!

[SupaSweet]

Very beautiful dedicated room you have! Look at the depth of those Parads! WOW!! great job!