I finally took some pictures of my HT. I was going to wait until it was fully finished but it’s probably going to be a while before I can get back into my shop. My son is overhauling his car in the garage and has taken over my shop for his dirt bike etc. I still need to build doors for the bar and put on some window coverings (just blankets for now) so there’s not much left to do.
The project was started back in March 2007 and took me until just before Christmas 2007 to get this far. Working mainly weekends and nights. All the work was done by me except for installing the carpet. I’ve never installed carpet before and left that to the pros. My wife helped with the dry wall which was a really big help. I really didn’t intend to finish the basement. The kids were using it for a skate park. My wife wanted an extra room for guests to stay, so she was the one to suggest finishing the basement. I said, “If you let me build a theater the way I want to, I’ll build you a guest room”. She said, “OK”. Maybe she didn’t know what she agreed to. But when you get the “go ahead”, never give up the chance!
The lighted bar, fireplace, lighted columns, and wainscoting are all made of MDF with some parts of the bar and fireplace made of poplar. Those parts of the room took the longest to make. The raised floor is 12 inches high. The room is about 27 ft. x 17 ft. I used ceiling tiles and the Ceiling Max grid system (to maximize headroom) on the ceiling. The ceilings are about 7ft. 6in. high.
The projection equipment is a Panasonic PT-AE1000U with a 106” Carada screen. I was a bit disappointed when Panasonic had already released the PT-AE2000U even before I had my 1000U mounted. But I like my 1000U and if the 2000U is better, what’s not to like about that. Something to upgrade to! (as if we had to worry about that).
The speakers are M80 mains, 2-VP150s (one above and one below the screen which I think is a must when having 2 rows of seating), 8-QS8s (double surrounds and double rears), and 2-EP500 subs (can you say earthquake!). I was looking at some Paradigms before deciding on the Axioms because I got my whole Axiom system for the price of the Paradigm mains I was looking at. I have Paradigm Reference 40s, center, Paradigm Servo 15 sub, and Boston Acoustics Pros in the ceiling for surrounds and backs in my upstairs TV room/living room. I have that system powered by a B&K AVR307. I liked the sound of that system and since people were commenting on how the Axioms and Paradigms sounded similar, I decided to go with the Axioms without even listening to them. I am very happy with my Axioms. They rock when powered by B&K (as with any other good pre/pro/amp combo I’m sure). Not “bright” at all when the pre/pro is set properly. As I’m writing this, my little boy is currently watching “Cars” and “Life Is A Highway” is currently playing. Sweet!
The new HT is powered by a B&K Ref 50v2, Ref 200.7, and Ref 200.5 (for extra center, surrounds, and backs). I was happy with my B&K upstairs so I decided to stick with it. A good price from a local dealer. And since I plan on upgrading to the Ref 70 (not even released yet) in a couple of years (HDMI, etc.), a good local dealer may give me a decent price. I hope.
This is the extra sleeping room.
The theater entrance:
View looking forward:
View looking back. Power recline theater seats by Palliser (another great Canadian product!):
Ceiling stars:
Matching lighted electric fireplace:
Lighted, glass top bar. Bar cabinet doors still needed:
Kids pool table. Wife wouldn’t let me paint it white.:
B&K equipment. I just had to buy something good from USA too!:
Wire (non)management? Access from the back a must:
