Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Home Theater Pictures

I have finally finished my basement remodel project with the home theater setup. I have been planning and designing this project for years, off and on. I spent a considerable amount of time planning the location and layout of the pool table so that I would have no obstructed shots. I eventually opened up a bearing wall (with engineer approval!) so that I could utilize the area adjacent to the pool table for a built-in pub table sitting area. That table area is blocked from view to the main TV, so I installed a 20" LCD over the pub table. I have the 50" plasma connected to the DirectTV receiver by HDMI, and component to the LCD, such that both TV's simultaneously display the same broadcast. This works out well as I can see both TV's from the pool table.

Anyway, thanks to all here who have provided immeasurable help in answering my questions and the questions of others. Also thanks to Axiom for the many helpful articles. I started out as a complete novice and could not have done this on my own.

Here are some pictures of the (almost) finished project. I still need to finish the base of the built-in pub table, but I am still trying to figure out what I want to do there.

Very nice setup Bob, now you just need a projector.

Just beautiful. I love the TV by the pub table.

But the cat's gotta go.

Great looking room!

Awesome room(s) Bob...

Every time I see basement setups like this it makes me want to move up north just to have a basement, to me those basements are like having a whole house floor dedicated to fun ... also makes me extremely jealous.

Beautiful work my friend!

That is an incredible area, how do I get one of those basements here in Florida. That is a great H/t room and VERY impressive all around. I want a basement!!!!!!

That's funny Rick never even saw you post (posted at the same time) and we said the same thing. Well there is no etoupia, never seen a snow shovel or a basement - so maybe it all works out. But seriously, Adam has one awesome area there. If I had a room(s) like taht, I would never go to work, so maybe there is a reason for everything.

Jon, I'm quite sure Adam does have an awesome area but Bob's ain't so bad either.

I remember visiting my folks-in-laws up in Pennsylvania years ago, going down into the basement and thinking da'yaam this place would make an extremely nice ... something or another*.

*I wasn't much into the music/movie stuff back then.

Yep Rick and Jon, I love my 2100 sq ft basement.

That's alright Randy, whenever your retired azz is living in Florida one day you be sure to remind Jon and I just how nice those basement thingies y'all have had up there really *were* ... and don't act like it ain't going to happen.

See you soon!

Yup, It's Bob's allright. I have never been accussed of being too bright - that's for sure Sorry Bob, that was directed to you - BOB. Great stuff. Not enough to go north, but close

Why do think we hit it off so well Jon? Soooo much in common my friend.

YUP We did hit it off great! I keep trying to get "up" north your way again. Lotz-a-fun when two I.Q's start entering three digits combined. Thats when we are all just having fun

I don't know Rick, the fishing and golf is great up this way as well and we have a great hill on the side of the house for sledding in the winter.

I.Q. schmyQ ... pop a beer, turn on and tune in, everyone knows these are the most important things in life!



P.S. ... Dude, we need to get you an avatar, what do you think, hippy on a Harley or what?

Great looking room, Bob! That's an ideal man-cave.

Yeah, we don't have much in the way of basements out here, either. I'm getting kinda jealous.

Randy, you had me right up until you said that *sledding* word, which, from what I've read, watched on TV and understand involves what ... ice, snow, slush, -20 degree temps and/or parkas?

Yikes.

That's a nice setup!

What type of seating are you using?
It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks,
Zak

An avatar??? Well my crew cut hair aint gonna cut a "hippy" but the Harley may work. I was kidding on the I.Q. you have the mostest of it combined. Now I am not trying to be silly/stupid, but what is my avatar?

Just like on Christmas Vacation dude. ha ha

Rick, you forgot about "velocity" regarding the sledding. No lift, though.

Would this be what is normally considered to be a thread hijack? Cool!!

Jon, the avatar is the little picture (80 x 80 pixel max) picture below every body's name ... SRV for mine and that glass of black beer for Randy's'.

I always have a heck of a time trying to get the picture to not look distorted. I suppose I need to resize my potential avatars to that size or whatever. Funny, I'm an IT guy even..ha ha lol

Tom, velocity is most definitely a plus ... it's just *where* that velocity is taking place is what makes me cringe.

Very nice setup, Bob, but a couple suggestions: the cat in front of the VP150 will cause substantial loss of frequencies that affect speech intelligibility, and so better feline positioning would be advisable; next, a little more seriously, you shouldn't have the VP150 recessed on the stand like that, since reflections and refractions of the sound can occur. It'd be better to move the VP150 forward so as to be flush with the front edge of the stand(and if you move the cat, there'll be enough room).

Very nice setup!

That cat must think it owns the place. First on the tv, then on the pool table?

Very nice indeed.

That's definitely a space to be proud of. It must be hard to kick guests out.

that is a nice looking basement for sure! well done.

Bob, nice set-up loks great.

Amazing! I would like to see some before shots too.

Hi,

Very nice setup! And your cat seems so obedient. Plus her/his coat matches the decor.

Regards,

Alan

Very nice.

What brand are the seats? Can you do me a favor and stretch a tape across them? I’d love to have four seats across my room just like what you have, but I’ve only got 12’ to work with.

A tastefully gorgeous room. However I really hate sane people like you.

I'm one of those unfortunate sickies who, when I see an open space, anywhere, have the overwhelmingly irresistible need to fill that space (nature hates a vacuum?). Seriously!

When I look at your room, the first thing that goes through my mind is "OK, what can I put there, and over here, and over there, and.... It's nutso! I could have every inch of that lovely, open, spacious room filled to the brim with crap in a single day. And, if given the chance (and I know you're relieved I won't be), would be unable to prevent myself from doing so.

Where's J.P when you need him?

Hiding in an unused, un-filled corner.

LOL!

How can the corner be unused and unfilled if he's hiding in it? (where's the tongue smiley when you need it? )

How many JPs would you stuff in your house?

Here you go Jack ...

MDrew, The seats measure 10' 6" give or take an inch, accross the longest two points. They are a brand called HTL International. They are made overseas and are probably marketed under differing names, but I am not sure. I bought them from Steinhafels in Madison, WI (Steinhafels.com) What I particularly like about these seats, besides the comfort and power recline, is that they are upholstered very nicely in the back. That was inmportant in my room because the backs are very exposed. I never really though about getting the power recline option, but these don't come without it and I wanted the nice appearance from the back. One nice thing about power recline is that you get infinite seating position adjustment.

I wish I would have taken some before photos and the progress. Anyway, just imagine four poured concrete walls, concrete floor and a bare stud wall in the middle. I actually miss having the project to work on. I spent way more time planning and completing the construction than I spent on planning the home theater. (I let you guys do all that planning!)

Alan, that cat certainly over estimates his importance in this house. Anyway, with regard to cats in general, I have an idea for Axiom's next speaker design. How about putting ballast in the bottom of the tower speakers to prevent them from tipping over when cats jump onto them and off again. That pictured cat has a very annoying habit of jumping from the top of my M60's to the top of an adjacent entertainment center that is about 3 feet above the speakers. Each time he jumps the speaker wobbles just a little bit. Maybe instead of ballast in the speaker, you could build some type of electronic zapper into the top of the speakers.

and I would imagine that cat proof grills would be very popular as well

Another option is to play loud recordings of snarling dogs from them.

EEEEEWWWWW!! Terrifying concept.

That's it, Jack, I'm calling an emergency intervention, upping your meds, and detaining you to the UCLA medical center where you can have group therapy with Britney Spears and friends. ~~~

I'm not quite sure if we want pictures of that.

Hi,

Well, that cat does seem to exude a certain "attitude" of which you speak.

At one point at Axiom, we discussed some sort of outrigger arrangement for the base of the M60s or the M80s to give them greater stability, but the discussion never went farther. We all thought the outrigger thing would be too cumbersome and unworkable.

Regards,

Alan

Couldn't you just take a bigger piece o' plywood, paint or stain it to your liking, and attach it to the the bottom of the speakers?

I figured I would do something like this if I ever had kids pushing on the speakers. Nick, take note!

I need to get off my butt and do that for my speakers. Sadly, the tools I have access to for woodworking are ~100 miles away.

Although it is indeed scary looking, there is no way cutting the top of the speaker off would be worth not having it pushed.

you could also wrap them in barbed wire

I have the vague impression that the WAF on that might be low.

Yeah the current one. The previous one would have given me bonus points though

Or you could buy these, which are a little pricey but get the job done:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/furniture/speaker-and-display-mounts/soundocity-outrigger-review

Another option...

Dancing Spidey likey likey!

that has got to be the manliest room i have ever seen

I'm still trying to figure out how he got the left M80 to balance on that ball using only a wire.

Very nice room. Where's the subwoofer? Or is that the next step?

That room's even more live than mine!!
For cryin out loud... put a rug down!!

Hey Rug! You're threadbare, and your pattern is ugly, and nobody likes you.

That was uncalled for. Poor Rug's just doing its thing, lying there, on the flo... hey, wait! You lazy rug! Get up and make some money! Why am I the only one bringing income into this house?

Wow Tom...I didn't mean for you to be THAT cruel.