Mikewills Basement HT Build

[mikewills]

Hello fellow HT enthusiasts

I've had big plans to turn a portion of my finished basement (25 x 14) to a HT room for some time now. In the meantime, I've been putting together my system and using our living room for a HT. I'm now to the point where the equipment is overpowering my wife's family room, so the basement idea was back on the table. Since my wife and I are both Active Duty military, I didn't want to get too deep in this build, as the house may be sold in 4 years. If the new buyer isn't a HT enthusiast, then the room can easily be transformed into a long rec room.

I've also been following some HT builds on the forum and reading Eddie's HT endeavors gave me the final kick in the rear. I still only have a 5.2, but Paradigm ADP-390s for side surrounds are in the very near future.

I have some framing and wiring to still run, but I decided to jump start the project by first painting the room and removing the 2 ceiling fans. I thought about painting the ceiling, but decided a white ceiling made the room feel more open for future buyers. If I decide to go full throttle, then I'll build a platform for rear seating and a front stage, then recessed audio cabinet.

My current setup which will move downstairs is an Onkyo 806, PS3, Dish Network HD box, APC H15 power conditioner, Paradigm Monitor 11 v6 fronts, CC-390 v6 center, Mini v5 rears, and 2 AV123 MFW-15s.

Last week I ordered a Panny AE3000, Sanus mount, and Elite EZframe 125" 2.35:1 screen from projectorpeople, which arrives tomorrow. I also ordered B-Tech BT77 wall mounts for the Minis and a VTI DF 13" center channel stand for the cc-390, which will also arrive tomorrow. I was going to recess a media cabinet in the wall. but decided to order the VTI BL404 w/ an extra 9" platform for the electronics, which also arrives Thursday. Last night my Chief and I went to Costco to pick up the 3-seat microfiber Berkline HT recliners......not too shabby for $799.

The attached pics show the before and current state of the room. I started masking the floor for a visual on the speaker locations late last week, then started painting on Saturday. The projector screen will almost be as wide as the space between towers. Also, the blue tape on the carpet signifies where walls will be constructed.

I'm open to any ideas and comments, since I'm still a noob.

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Cheers,
Mike

[SHines-IT]

Looking good so far.

[Aerodude73]

Great space so far. Love the seats, though i'm not sure if the Center & Two ( ) subs are BIG ENOUGH!!! Gesh. -- That 125" Screen should look awesome in that space. I assume you'll be painting the walls (?), as they don't seem to go well with the chair color scheme. Lol, sorry. That's just me thinking out loud. It's early so i'm sure however it turns out will look amazing from what I've read and seen this far.

Good luck Dude! Keep those updates coming.

[mikewills]

Originally Posted by aerodude73

Great space so far. Love the seats, though i'm not sure if the Center & Two ( ) subs are BIG ENOUGH!!! Gesh. -- That 125" Screen should look awesome in that space. I assume you'll be painting the walls (?), as they don't seem to go well with the chair color scheme. Lol, sorry. That's just me thinking out loud. It's early so i'm sure however it turns out will look amazing from what I've read and seen this far.

Good luck Dude! Keep those updates coming.

For some reason, the wall color looks different in the pictures. Perhaps its my cheap old digital camera. The paint is Behr flat enamel and the color is wild rice.

Thanks for the feedback.

[J6P]

Looks like a great start, Mike. Let me assure you that those of us forced to make things work in the living room are suitably jealous of you guys with the finished basements. I can't believe you waited so long!

Looking forward to more progress reports.

[SupaSweet]

Originally Posted by J6P

Looks like a great start, Mike. Let me assure you that those of us forced to make things work in the living room are suitably jealous of you guys with the finished basements. I can't believe you waited so long!

Looking forward to more progress reports.

Agreed! Wow Mike,you just started and this is already looking like a great set up.

I see your seating still have the tags on them..fresh kill!!!...What a great room this is going to be/is...excellent choice of color in the room & a great layout so far with your gear. I am excited for you and can't wait to see what the finished project will look like.

Did you tackle in wall wiring yourself?

What kind of projector & screen are you going with? Pull down or Fixed? (i found out the hard way that a 2.35 screen is optimal) thanks to Collin Viegas for lending his expertise.

Are you planning on building your own screen?

Do you have a completion date in mind?

Great set up my friend. Suggestions...? None, the possibilities are endless! I love it.

[mikewills]

Hey fellas, thanks for the kind words.

Eddie, I noticed your build is coming along as well and very very clean and tasteful. I haven't tackled the in-wall wiring yet, but I have done hours of investigation to determine where I'll fish for the cleanest look. It's definitely do-able, but I wanted to get the painting over with. I ordered the Panny AE3000 projector and Elite EZ frame 125" fixed 2.35:1 screen, which should be here tomorrow (Thursday). I initially wanted to build a Wilsonart DW screen, but the projector, screen, 12 meter HDMI, and ceiling mount from projectorpeople was only $2800. The projector alone is $2499, so I couldn't pass up on the package deal. Hopefully, I'll have the equipment in the new audio rack tomorrow night and the projector/screen installed Friday or Saturday.

Mike

[mikewills]

.......another update.

I received the projector, mount, and audio rack last week and the projector screen last night.

I mounted the projector over the weekend and installed gang boxes for power and HDMI/Component over the projector. I also fished wires from the front speakers to the back of the room. I'm just waiting on additional wall plates (sub, speaker, HDMI) and especially my 2 gang 7.2 wall plate from Monoprice, so I can finish up the wiring. I'm in the process of mounting the rears for my 5 channel setup to the back wall in anticipation of picking up another 2 for the sides.

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Damn daylight windows!!! I need to figure a way to cover them...perhaps fabric panel inserts to match the walls??
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More to come..........

Thanks for looking
Mike

[Aerodude73]

I'd just cover the windows (semi-?) permanently with that Small 125" ( ) screen you got going there. I mean, really. If you could put the screen right over them, even better. If they're Not in the way visually with the screen, then yea, I'd look for some type of fabric cover I guess that would blend in to the room somehow.

Lol, Still can't get over that Massive Center channel speaker. Good lord...

Can't wait to see your continued progress. Awesome so far brother!

[-DLS-]

Looks real good so far.. Can't wait to see it finished.. Must sound much nicer with the room not being as open as upstairs.. Good job!!

[SupaSweet]

Very nicely done...this is coming along great...you have a good eye my friend.

[mikewills]

More pics......

I ran all the wires to the rear of the room, hung the rear surrounds, and tidied things up. One of these days, I'll find a good deal on some ADP-390s for the sides. For now, it's 5.2 for me.

I received some more stuff from monoprice and purchased a powerbridge for the projector to run it through my power conditioner. I'm returning the 7.2 2-gang wall plate I received from monoprice, which is why you don't see it in the pics. I didn't like the quality and the numerous hairline cracks in the plastic, so I'm going for the 3-gang one. After I receive the new wall-plate, I'll have the equipment back in.

The next phases will consist of curtains above the screen to cover the windows and draped down the sides of the screen, so I can pull them over for 16:9 masking. Plus, curtains will make things more symmetrical by covering the off-center windows. After the curtains, I need to paint touch up a few areas. Way-ahead is to frame the opening to enclose the room a little more. Also, maybe movie posters and signs.

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Thanks for looking,
Mike

[Hammie]

My suggestion for those windows would be Black film on the glass and white plantation shutters. I think it would compliment your room nicely. The curtain will be nice, though, too.

BTW, great progress!!!

[j3yq]

Looks nice,