Dave's Home Theater Construction...

[florad]

Hey all. Figured I'd get in the fun with showing off what I have as of right now. I've included my pictures from the beginning of construction up to the current date. I'm hoping to start moving stuff in and getting it set up this Labor Day weekend. Just need the trim and doors and I'm set.
I have a Samsung 67A750 DLP tv ready to go where the tv will sit. I am attempting to fill the speaker space with the Polk RTi A series speakers, of which I have the center (CSi A6), main surrounds (FXi A6), and the back surrounds are the old RTi series FXi 5's. I have an old Klipsch sub as well with Cerwin Vegas for the front speakers (ugh). I'm hoping to save for a pair of RTi A9's, but don't know how I'm going to convince the wifey that it's ok to spend that kind of cash on front speakers.

My receiver is an Onkyo TX-DS989 along with a Panasonic DMP BD55 Blu-Ray player.

For the most part, that's it for now. Take a look and let me know what you think. I'll post more pictures as I get the hardware set up (hopefully this weekend). Thanks!

[Dirk504]

Looks like it's coming along really nice. I like the way the floor is painted.

[florad]

Thanks! In uploading the pictures, it made the floors look more red than they are....it's more brown. But we really like it. My wife is terribly allergic to mold, so carpet in the basement was definitely out the door, and this was the best and cheapest alternative. Hopefully it works out ok!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by florad

Thanks! In uploading the pictures, it made the floors look more red than they are....it's more brown. But we really like it. My wife is terribly allergic to mold, so carpet in the basement was definitely out the door, and this was the best and cheapest alternative. Hopefully it works out ok!

I like what you have done as well. You could put some area rugs down, is that possible or is that also a no-go?

[florad]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I like what you have done as well. You could put some area rugs down, is that possible or is that also a no-go?

Yeah, that is the plan. They are all rolled up upstairs and ready to go. We had to wait until Sept. 2 before we could really even walk on the floor, so I was tip-toeing around to take these pictures. Hopefully by Monday I can get more up and going with it.

[Hammie]

It looks like it is going to be a really nice space.

Looks to be well thought out and planned for.

[Beta Man]

I like the floor now that it's painted..... but I'm curious as to why you've decided against carpet..... it would probably help with the sound...

Also, Projector is a must for that sized room, with complete light control.

[florad]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I like the floor now that it's painted..... but I'm curious as to why you've decided against carpet..... it would probably help with the sound...

Also, Projector is a must for that sized room, with complete light control.

Like I said above, due to my wife's terrible mold allergies and the fact that we're in a basement, placing carpet on the floor was a no-no. Unfortunately there's no natural light since both the windows in the basement are taken up by the bedroom and bathroom. So this was our compromise, and I was happy to do it for her. We'll use area rugs, but that's it.

In retrospect, I probably should have put more effort into researching a projector, but the Samsung 67" DLP just kind of fell into my lap at the price point I paid for it, and so I jumped at the opportunity to purchase it. If for some reason I wanted to put a projector down there in the furture, I could still do it since everything is pretty easily accessible due to the drop ceiling and close proximity to my A/V closet.

[florad]

Here are a couple updated pictures of my basement. I was finally able to hang all four of my surrounds. You can tell by the pictures how limited I am with the space I have, but when you don't build it yourself, this is sometimes how it goes I guess, and I won't complain for my first house. Also, you can now see the actual color of my floor, but I tell you, if I could have gotten the color to come out the way it looks in that first picture, I'd have done it in a heartbeat, LOL. Oh well. Just need the trim and doors to be put in and I'm set! Please feel free to leave me any feedback or questions you might have!

This is where my entertainment center will be. It's obviously pulled away from the wall so there is room to get the trim up.


Here's a shot from the corner so you can see the placement of all the surrounds....

[Hammie]

Lookin' good!!

I do see your limitations, but you seem to have over come them pretty well. Can't wait to see the next phase of photos.

[florad]

FINALLY! After 9 months of sitting in the box, I have put up my Samsung! Here are a couple updated pictures for you....



Here is a shot of the wall plates behind the tv. I have 4 HDMI's (3 going to my A/V closet, and one next to the couch for an IPod, computer, etc.) 2 coaxial lines, 2 sets of composite hookups, S-Video, Toslink, AC-3, Component, and 2 sets of speakers for the center channel. Sounds like a ton, but I just wanted to make sure that I had enough run before the drywall went up. Might be overkill, but I'd rather do too much as opposed to not enough!


That's it so far. Hopefully next week I'll get the A/V cabinet in and can start working on getting that set. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Beta Man]

nothing like the start of the NFL season to get you to unbox a new T.V.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

nothing like the start of the NFL season to get you to unbox a new T.V.

Ya, no kidding. That pic with football on it really made it seem like this will be a nice place to hang out and enjoy your stuff. I think about 99% of us have to deal with limitations in our rooms, and you've done well with yours. Looks good!

[Hammie]

Nice!

Have you considered painting the wall behind the TV a darker color? It just may make everything disappear in the room.

Another thing. Did you run your cabling in conduit? I would have put everything in one or two just in case you wanted to add/delete/swap out any connections for any other types.

[florad]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Nice!

Have you considered painting the wall behind the TV a darker color? It just may make everything disappear in the room.

Another thing. Did you run your cabling in conduit? I would have put everything in one or two just in case you wanted to add/delete/swap out any connections for any other types.

That's one thing I actually didn't do. I wasn't very familiar with the size of conduit I could put in, and the stuff I found was way too small to accomodate my thick wires (they are all CL2 rated for in-wall). Thankfully due to the fact that my duct work is in this area (and my ceilings are 9 ft), there is plenty of room to get above the drop ceiling and get behind the drywall.

As far as the color scheme goes, I'll have to give it some time and approach that idea to the wife. For now, I'm pleased. Unfortunately it will be at least another week before I can really watch any movies down there due to the lack of my cabinet that will be set in that open space next to the sub. Until that's in, I can't hook up my receiver or anything else. For now I'm just excited to have the damn thing out of the box!

[florad]

Here are some finished shots of my basement theater:


My A/V cabinet:

I ran out of room for all my components, but I can live without a tape deck and Laserdisc player I guess.

"The Mess":

Hopefully I'll have more time to get this in order soon. But right now it's a complete clusterbomb.

Anyway, that's about it. I'm hoping to get a new Denon receiver to upgrade from 7.1 to 9.1, but for now I'm happy with it. Obviously I don't have the "dedicated" space, but this will do. I'm happy to hear any comments or suggestions to help make it better!

[Deadset]

Looks great man, you did a fantastic job. The only thing I'd do different is route that clock cord in channel and paint it.

Oh and get some area rugs for sound dampening ( if you dont already have some )

[florad]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Looks great man, you did a fantastic job. The only thing I'd do different is route that clock cord in channel and paint it.

Oh and get some area rugs for sound dampening ( if you dont already have some )

LOL, yeah that was a gift from my wife for my birthday. We actually went to Radio Shack the other day to get a different power cable to better match the wall color so it blends in. And trust me, my wife has our basement covered in rugs, so it's pretty well dampened!

[talstarone]

Thanks for taking us along on the Journey you took.

It was both a Pleasure and Very Informative to see how everything progressed from an open basement are into a dedicated Home Theater Area(Along with the Fitness Section)

Outstanding Job from Pic 1 to the Last Pic.The In-wall wiring and in-wall Audio Cabinet were excellent Design Ideas that look as if they Worked Out Perfectally.

I had to leave your Gallery a Worthy Rating.Because to go from Pic 1 to what you have now,is worth a Great Rating.

I hope you really enjoy your Home Theater,and get to spend as much time down there as is Humanly Possible.

Again,I have to Say Great Job.