sk3lph's brand new Media/Cinema room

[sk3lph]

Further to my post here last year -

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18608189

Construction has now started this week on the extension to the house which will become the new computer room and the new media/cinema room.

I'm doing this in two phases with the first phase being to have the computer room completely finished with a HVAC system installed and provision for a HVAC system to be installed for the media room. Phase 1 will mean the media room will be a shell with no ceiling or plasterboard on the walls together with a temporary floor to allow full access as the room develops during phase 2 when funds allow. My approach will be working through it step by step, assessing the cost and implementing each stage appropriately.

I'll be looking to post pictures on here and also discuss each stage of the build once phase 2 kicks off.

I had a long chat with Lucid on the phone a few months back and I think I'm taking the right approach so far, would like Lucid to be involved but it's perhaps a little too early as Phase 2 hasn't started yet.

Looking forward to having something further interesting to report

 

[sk3lph]

Getting there, roof is going to be put on starting from tomorrow then I can start looking into the HVAC system and the internals.

More updates soon.

 

[sk3lph]

Its been some time since my last update, the good news is I now have an actual structure built as shown in the pictures. The ducted HVAC system will be installed in a couple of weeks which I will include pictures of when it is done then it'll start getting more interesting as the install starts gethering pace. I've got a couple of other rooms to finish in the house before this room so it'll still be a good few weeks before things kick off properly but I've already got a pretty good idea how it's going to turn out.

I have approached a home cinema installer near where I live who looks like he will meet my requirements and seems as enthusiastic about the project as I am. A drawing will be produced and all the wiring for speakers, power and lighting will go in place before the walls are boarded up with the sound proofing material inserted behind it.

After a lot of thinking I'm going to go for a 3m wide 16:9 screen on the wall opposide the door with the centre speaker installed behind it and floor standing speakers for front left and right, which will make up a 7.2.4 setup with 4 speakers in the ceiling for Atmos. A coffer will be built in the top corner of the back wall to house the projector and this will also be run down the top of the left and right walls which will also facilitate the lighting which will involve downlights and a colour changing LED strip light. I'm also thinking about a star effect installation for the ceiling using fibre optics but can't decide if it's tacky or not. I'll have two rows of seats so I'm going to build a step up so back row can see over front row, a lighting strip will also be used so the step can be seen in the dark.

I've investigated fabric panels and come to the conclusion that it's expensive for what it is, so I'm going for dense fibreboard on the walls for soundproofing and get the get the room accoustically treated thereafter. Equipment is being looked into, the home cinema installer is recommending Robson Acoustics speakers which will be matched with each other for the room and the amp is liable to be the Onkio TX-NR3030. Euipment will be installed in a rack at the back corner of the room.

Should be pretty epic once it's done - feel free to offer advice or any comments.

 

[sk3lph]

Some more progress, which should be ramping up a bit more.

The computer room which has been the main focus for the extension project is now pretty much finished as shown below -



So attention is now on the media/cinema room where the wiring for speakers; lighting and power is now well on the way to being completed.

The plan is to get the wiring done and once I'm happy everything is done and in the right place then the ceiling can go on and the walls can be fitted.

Highlights of equipment to be installed -

Speakers
Robson Acoustics Chronos (Front Left & Right)
Robson Acoustics Chronos (Front Centre)
Robson Acoustics Stella (Rear Surround)
Robson Acoustics Sub Tonitro (one under each front and left speakers)
Monitor Audio 265id - four installed in ceiling for Atmos.

Screen
135'' 16:9 Acoustically Transparent Projection Screen (centre speaker installed behind it).

Amplifier
Yamaha RXA3050

Some pictures -

Front wall showing wiring for front speakers where a timber frame is going to be built so there will be sufficient depth for the speakers to be mounted in the wall.



Wall conduit for rear right surround speaker, equipment rack is going to be in that corner so a large trunking is going to go in to accomodate all the wiring.



Front left ceiling speaker wiring shown and the air conditioning unit can also be seen above the ceiling.



This one shows the cable tray above the conduits for the front right speaker and sub wiring.



Thats it for now - aiming to have this done end of January or thereabouts - will post more pics if people are interested.

Feel free to post comments or questions.

 

[sk3lph]

Send your plans to GIK acoustics and get they to advise on room treatment and bass traps and panels... At this stage you'll be able to integrate them neatly.

The installer I'm using also does room treatment so we are going to see how it all sounds and assess any required room treatments.

The ceiling and two walls are now boarded up, this picture shows the front wall with cut outs for the speakers and a recess made for the screen.



Apart from a couple of comments I feel like i've been talking to myself so far - are people interested in progress pictures or shall I just post the final result in a few weeks?

 

[sk3lph]

He's right I wouldn't have commented, but I'll say I'm interested in how this works out for you.

Cheers chaps - ok I'll post some more pics as things progress.

 

[sk3lph]

What's your aim for timescale and budget? Looks good so far, eager for more progress

I'm eager for progress too but more keen for it to be done right - I'm now thinking it'll be more or less finished in about a months time. Still got the carpet; seating and the star ceiling to sort out but it's getting close to the wire on the finances front.

The whole project has been pricey - the extension that was built was tens of thousands and all the equipment for the media room has come to about 15k, thankfully I've got a good projector already or it would've been more - it's been a long time in the making since I decided to do this and began planning and saving for it.

 

[sk3lph]

I'd still send the details and ask.... every room needs treatment, no room is free of issues.... unless you've heard a room done you might not recognise if it needs it !!!

Looking good, coming on nicely....

I see what you're saying and will look into this.

very cool keep the updates coming

what sub(s) you going for?
and projector?

I'm keeping my existing projector for the moment and moving it from the lounge to the new room.

The two subs I've having are these.

 

[sk3lph]

why did you go for the Yamaha amp vs Onkio?

I've got a Yamaha amp in the lounge already and really like it, I've also heard Onkyo has been known to have reliability issues.

 

[sk3lph]

Is this for mainly films or plan for 2 channel music a lot of the time as well?

Yes mainly films but will also be used for music.

How big is the screen going to be? Would give us an idea of the scale.

The screen will be 3m wide or equivalent to a 135 inch TV.

 

[sk3lph]

Some fancy looking subs, not heard of them before, how do you find them?

My installer has put me on to Robson Accoustics as I hadn't heard of them either, but they sound really good in his demo room.

Thanks for all the posts of encouragement, good to see people are keen for further news.

All the walls have now been boarded up and the coffer and rear pletform will be built this coming week as well as routing the cabling for lighting and power outlets, plastering is laible to be starting the following week hopefully.

More pics will be posted here in due course.

 

[sk3lph]

The platform at the back is now in so people there will still get a good view in the back row.

An LED strip light is going to go underneath the lip of the step so it can easily be seen in the dark, which should also look pretty smart.

 

[sk3lph]

Thanks for all the positive comments.

Coffer will be built tomorrow and the building phase will be finished off and looks like the plasterers are arriving on Thursday.

Looking lovely

Hope you will get loads of time to watch films in it once complete!

Oh yes - I don't think I've been this excited since I was eight on Christmas morning.

 

[sk3lph]

The progress of the build hit a bit of a problem, basically the joiner and the builder fell out and the builder ended up sacking the joiner even though I was very happy with the work he had done, personalities do clash I suppose, but the joiner was basically not doing what the builder was telling him so there you go.

The good news is the room has now been plastered as the pictures show so the coffer will now be built by a different joiner next week.

So the sequence of events from now will be -

• Complete the build of the coffer.
• Install the ceiling grilles and complete air-con installation.
• Cut holes in the ceiling for the four ceiling speakers.
• Install the star fibre optic lighting in the ceiling.
• finish the electrics installation.
• Paint and decorate the room.
• Fit the carpet.
• Fit the AV kit.
• Get some seating.

I'm expecting an eye watering bill from the builder when he is finished so things may slow down a bit depending on finances.

 

[sk3lph]

The frame for the coffer is now up, the panels should be going on tomorrow and the electrics for the lighting should be going in too if I can get a hold of the electrician.

This first picture shows the enclosure for the projector.

 

[sk3lph]

Thanks again for the comments, really appreciate some encouragement and it's gratifying that it looks like I'm doing this right.

Bit more progress, the joiner wasn't here much on Friday and wasn't here yesterday but he attacked the job with gusto today.

The coffer is pretty much built although some side panels are still removable so the electrician has still got access to put the wiring in for the lighting. The bottom lip has got a groove cut in the top edge for the colour changing LED strip light to be installed and some dimmable LED downlights will be equally spaced out on the underside.

The joiner is almost finished and I'm having a meeting with the electrician on Thursday morning to discuss the work thats remaining which he will be starting next week.

Another step closer to the finish line with this.

 

[sk3lph]

Looks like this is going to turn out epic!

Thanks I'm hoping so

I am waiting for a projector to arrive today and will be turning a spare bedroom into a 'cinema' room, however as it is only a temporary solution (2 - 4 years depending on when we decide on baby no.2) unfortunately won't be able to do anywhere near what you are going to achieve.

Keep up the good work/project management, coming together very well!

Well there is the thing, you make your choices in life.

If my wife and I had decided to have kids then there is absolutely no way we would have been able to do this. Even if I could financially it's doubtful I'd have had the time to watch many films anyway. Both my brothers have families with kids and nearly all of their time is taken up with them.

Good luck with your cinema room, hope it goes well

 

[sk3lph]

Some more progress to show you.

The downlights are in and looking good, although one needs to get exchanged as it's faulty.









This picture shows the power and cabling for the AV rack which will be hidden under the floor.



This shows the sockets which will be used to power the front seats although I'm going to have the side ones moved a bit futher apart.



The colour changing strip light will be put into the coffer and underneath the step once it's in stock at the supplier. Next in the queue after that is the ceiling slot diffusers to finish the air con install.

More pics soon.

 

[sk3lph]

Have you spent much time demoing other speakers at all? £2k per sub opens up a lot of options!

Good point, although the installer I'm using works a lot with the speaker manufacturer and has managed to get me a big discount on those subs.

I have spent a bit of time listening to the exact same speakers in a demo room that is slightly smaller than my room and am very happy with the sound that they make. The reviews on those speakers are also very favorable, the trouble is it's difficult to get a demo of lots of different 'in wall' speaker configurations and even then room acoustics give different results anyway.

The installer I'm using is very keen to make sure I'm fully happy with the final result and the speaker manufacturer is also personally involved with my project so I'm pretty confident I'm going to end up with a stunning system.

 

[sk3lph]

Thanks for your posts of encouragement, it's always much appreciated.

@Richeh, thanks for your comments, all the AV kit has been purchased and is ready to be installed so no changes of mind can happen now.

This coming week the colour changing LED strip lighting will go in which will probably be worth some more pics. Aircon install completion will be happening the week after.

Wishing my life away at the moment.