Theatre - Size and Placement question

arasugp83 · Apr 05, 2011 5:46 pm

Hi,
I'm new here and currently working with my floor plans.

I'd like to combine office space with home theater.

http://www.pics9.com/images/82203934863204671392.jpg

My idea is to cover the office entry using a curtain and put a motorized screen in front of the curtain while watching movies.

My questions:
-Does the layout and size work to make a good theater?
- Where can I position the center speaker?

I am novice in this area and i highly appreciate any suggestions or help.
-Ela

mattwalker · Apr 05, 2011 11:20 pm

Hi there,

You can absolutely do this!!

The room size you have is SENSATIONAL

As for the centre speaker, for full effect and the custom hidden "WOW" factor place it in the ceiling!

I did this in my last house and the effect was great - it was a multi purpose area with everything completely hidden.

You can see the speakers located in the ceiling here:

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and you could hide the screen in the ceiling like this (imagine where the TV is as your doorway to the office):

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Hope this helps!

Matt

arasugp83 · Apr 06, 2011 7:31 am

Thanks Matt! That room looked great; It was really helpful.

I'll get back again when I am done with the floor plan.

-Ela

arasugp83 · Apr 06, 2011 10:11 am

Matt, Does it work if I place front speakers on the sides of the screen(free standing) and the center speaker on the office wall cabinet(assuming I'll move the computer to one side of the office wall and no curtain to hide the office space)?

Thank you.
-Ela

mattwalker · Apr 06, 2011 10:23 am

It could but it would be difficult.

Most middle of the range and upwards amplifiers work with TBC (Time Base Correction) where you tell the speaker how far away it is from you and the amplifier will adjust when the noise comes from that speaker making it appear to be where it is supposed to be.

Personally I would rather have them:

1/ In the ceiling

2/ On the side and just placed in the centre whenever you use it.

I would not go with the in the office option.

Another option would be to create a bulkhead between the 2 area's and place the speaker in the wall like this:

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This would only work if the screen was placed below the image.

What ceiling height are you going with?

If you are having 2550 or 2700 you could incorporate both the screen and the speaker into a bulkhead!

arasugp83 · Apr 06, 2011 10:45 am

I like the in-wall bulk head option and I think I'll most probably go with 2700 ceiling height(not yet decided).

Also, Do you personally think that it is a big compromise in sound quality to choose in-wall/in-ceiling than free standing speakers?

Thanks,
Ela

mattwalker · Apr 06, 2011 10:51 am

In short ... No!

...but...

In order to get the same sound quality / level you will need to spend a bit of extra cash.

I think a well setup room with some degree of matching to the speakers (ie voice coils etc) can be a really good compromise.

I also answer a question with the philosophy of "would I do it in my own home and would I be happy with it"

The answer here is Yes!

arasugp83 · Apr 06, 2011 11:04 am

Good! I'm relieved and going to concentrate on other rooms now.

Thank you Matt.

henry218 · May 17, 2011 1:24 pm

hi,

i think putting speakers on the ceiling put too much compromise on the sound quality.

in my opinion its best to fit the speakers on the corner, or u do soffit, which put the speaker integrated to the walls.

over 90˚ off axis, i believe no speakers no matter how much it cost will sound good.

cheers
henry