Mini's HT sound room (Home theater v3) (no56ks)

**kareface** · 2009-11-15 01:18

If you are interested in how the speakers were built or more details on the equipment in the room I would recommend reading the last home theater thread: http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/79878...yours-too.html

It's been a long ass couple months. The night I had first got the speakers working I had a bunch of people over for a BBQ. Later that night, around 9:30 PM, on a Saturday, in the area of Seattle populated mostly by collage students, my upstairs neighbor decided to call the landlord because we were being too noisy. We weren't steaming or drunk, we were just watching a movie and the volume was turned very very far down. After that day we got a ton of complaints about sound most of them before 10pm at night. I decided I needed to move and found a house.

There were a few strict criteria I had for the new place, the most important of which were a place with a unfinished basement and where all of the bedrooms were on the top floor. I found the perfect place, all the bed rooms are on the 2nd floor so there is a floors worth of space between the home theater and anyone that would need to be sleeping.

My goal was to build a sound room, one that is geared to produce perfect sound. I didn't care as much about dampening the sound for the rest of the house, but it happens that a lot of the methods of improving the acoustics of a room have the added benefit of also dampening sound entering and leaving the room. The basement is quite large and I had some choice on the placement and size of the room. I decided to go with a smaller room because it's easier to control the acoustics and it would be cheaper.

I had planned to do most of the easier stuff myself and having help with harder tasks that requires tools that I couldn't justify owning. I priced the materials out and got quotes from friends of the family on labor (which I got an amazing deal on). The 2x4 framing and the dry wall work I would get help with. For the rest I would be doing mostly by myself. Even with that the total was quite shocking. I researched sound dampening and room acoustics for weeks and I came up with a game plan.

You can only really dampen lower frequencies during the building phase. It's very difficult to do anything to a already built room to properly prevent lower range standing waves. I couldn't really afford to go the ideal route so I decided to do the best with what I had available to me. The 2x4's would be offset from the concrete, the walls not near concrete would be lined with additional foam on the outside, the walls would be over stuffed with insulation especially in the ceiling, I would go with a high density super thick padding for the carpet and most importantly I would be using 2 layers of 5/8ths drywall with a layer of green glue noise proofing compound in between each layer.

I am aware of other sound dampening techniques, hat channels, isolation clips, staggered studs, ect. However they are all forms of mechanical decoupling and one of the major down sides to using them is an increase the the resonance point of the walls. This generally affects the low range preformance which is the most difficut part to dampen properly. You can compensate for this by adding mass to the walls, but by doing so you increase the cost of the room dramatically. While each of the above techniques will help dampen mids and highs, you can always compensate for those with panels. You can't however compensate for a lower resonance frequency of the walls after they've been built. It's for this reason I decided to avoid this route.

One last comment before I get to the images, I am aware that I haven't finished painting the speakers yet. As soon as the stain on them was finished I got wraped up in looking for and moving into my new place. Between the room and preparing the rest of the house I haven't had any free time to finish them up. After I finish painting the last couple rooms that are left unpainted in the house I'll have a little more free time.

The building process (LOTS OF IMAGES):

Spoiler: show

The Final Product (BIG IMAGES):

Spoiler: show

I would like to point out that my digital camera sucks, I can't take pictures worth crap and you'll all have to live with it. The room isn't finished, I still need to receive over 1000$ in acoustic panels, install the floorboards, install a door (yes, I have no door on the room currently) and build the cover for the window.

However, I can say that even in its current state, the room sounds breathtaking. You can clearly hear the difference in the bass even with the old 8" sub. Everything sounds so much better and even tho it cost over 6000$ to build the room I honestly don't think I wasted a penny. No matter how good your speakers are you will always be limited by the environment they are in. While this room isn't perfect, it's leagues better then almost any other room I've been in for low end acoustics. You feel each of the notes, literally. I won't be able to dampen the mids and highs till I receive the panels, but that's an easy task compared to how far it has come. Besides what I mentioned before I'm planing to also add a second one of the F15 subs from rythmic, 2 digital parametric EQ, 4 new surround speakers and a new receiver. I'll post more updates as thing progress.

One last note, this isn't the final room. I do plan on moving into a new house in about 4-5 years depending on work. This is a small scale test of what I plan to finish then. I don't plan on cutting any corners with that room.

**SaviorSelf** · 2009-11-15 11:11

Fucking amazing. I love these little how-to/step by step guides for doing stuff like this. One day I'll get around to doing something similar.

**SephYuyX** · 2009-11-15 11:41

Very nicely done with the space you were provided with.

**Cephius** · 2009-11-15 13:43

Amazing job, looks great and I'm sure it sounds even better!

**Mizango** · 2009-11-15 15:18

Mini you kick ass, im omw. I will accept this in place of us no longer being able to merit. QQ

That shit is absolutely amazing.

**Pikarya** · 2009-11-15 15:31

that is some bob villa shit right there A+

**Amastacia** · 2009-11-15 16:54

Looks spectacular Mini, and my god I'm sure it sounds amazing.

Seeing the price tag made me cringe a little, but I completely believe you when you say it's worth every penny.

DAKPluto · 2009-11-16 00:08

Gotta admit one thing mini....you really don't half ass anything...ever.

**Odesseiron** · 2009-11-16 00:13

Gotta give you some major fucking props on this one dude. I'm curious how much did this whole project run? All materials including carpeting, soundproofing stuff, etc. Along with the speaker setup? I'm going to guess no less than 5000? Maybe I'm lowballing, I don't know. Amazing job either way.

**kareface** · 2009-11-16 02:24

Originally Posted by Odesseiron

Gotta give you some major fucking props on this one dude. I'm curious how much did this whole project run? All materials including carpeting, soundproofing stuff, etc. Along with the speaker setup? I'm going to guess no less than 5000? Maybe I'm lowballing, I don't know. Amazing job either way.

The cost of the room will come out to be around 6000, but that isn't including the home theater. Most of the cost is dampening material and labor. 1000 for glue and caulking, another 1000 or so for dampening panels and 1200 for the labor on the drywall. Almost everything else was just materials and carpeting. It could of been much cheaper for the glue but I decided to go with 3 tubs per sheet, which increases the costs 50% over the normal cost but gives the highest dampening value.

As for the HT setup, the costs isn't too high. The speakers while worth quite a bit didn't cost much to build. I got a good deal on the TV but I didn't compromise on the quality. The sub is excellent, it's a servo sub and I can say first hand that it was worth every penny. If people are considering buying a new sub I would highly recommend rythmic. The total cost of the setup is easily greater then 10k, but it's worth it for me. I host tons of movie nights and everyone in the house makes good use of the setup. It's not like most high end home theaters that might only see use a few times a month.

I'm still working on the setup, my surround speakers need to be replaced. They just can't keep up with the level of volume the front speakers produce. I want to get a new receiver at some point as well, but my current one works great. I just want some of the up-mixing features that the newer models have. Need to make use of the full 7.1 setup. I also plan on getting a second f15 sub. After those things are finished tho my theater will be set till I move into a different house.

Gotta admit one thing mini....you really don't half ass anything...ever.

I half ass tons of things, it's just a few things that I indulge in more then others. With all the free time not spent playing FFXI I've been able to make a lot more money then I had before. I was able to make a living before but now it's easier to make bigger purchases.

If you haven't had the chance to hear a really well setup theater you should try and find one. The bass is so much cleaner and you can feel each impact or gun shot like it's actually happening in the room. It's not overwhelming tho, like people who put giant subs in the back of their cars. The bass doesn't drown out the movie. Totally don't care about going to the theater ever again, lol.

**Takedown3** · 2009-11-16 12:47

im guessing you dont care about the value of your home because home theaters systems built in bring down the value instead of actually bringing it up.

looks hype tho, id consider doing the same to my office once i blow out the back wall and move my workshop into the garage

**Cephius** · 2009-11-16 12:51

Originally Posted by Takedown3

im guessing you dont care about the value of your home because home theaters systems built in bring down the value instead of actually bringing it up.

How is that possible? I'm pretty sure I'd see a pre-wired home theatre room as a selling point.

**Isiolia** · 2009-11-16 13:08

Originally Posted by Cephius

How is that possible? I'm pretty sure I'd see a pre-wired home theatre room as a selling point.

Only if the buyer actually wants to use the space for the same purpose.

I wouldn't necessarily think of it as lowering the amount of money the house is worth, but rather that it won't increase the value of the home by the amount that you put in. I'd also guess that it has more to do with actual home theaters than a few wires/plates in the walls.

Looks pretty nice though. I'd be hesitant to do something like that in my basement since I get water in if the gutters get clogged (learned the hard way) - plus I have a workshop down there now, and stuff.

Currently building Tritrix TL 'cause of your last thread BTW. >__>

**Cephius** · 2009-11-16 13:19

Originally Posted by Isiolia

Only if the buyer actually wants to use the space for the same purpose.

I wouldn't necessarily think of it as lowering the amount of money the house is worth, but rather that it won't increase the value of the home by the amount that you put in. I'd also guess that it has more to do with actual home theaters than a few wires/plates in the walls.

That makes a bit more sense, yeah. I just didn't understand how it could lower the value of the place.

**Takedown3** · 2009-11-16 15:07

What Isiolia said, if the person buying them home down the road has no need/care for a home theatre system then all of the prewiring means nothing for them if they are going to use it for storage or the kids play room.

not to mention it seems to be very high tech, most people don't have or even need that kind of setup so its going to push buyers away or at the very least they wont consider that room for what mini actually put into it.

also the fact remains that the technology involved even in just the prewiring will eventually need to be replaced by newer technology or wont be used at all with furturistic non wired equipment.

dont get me wrong i think its hype and the overall quality of the work looks very nice.

**kareface** · 2009-11-16 16:55

The wiring doesn't cost too much, thanks to monoprice. The majority of the investment will be the sound dampening. I figure this is a 2 part investment, the panels which can be used when I move and the room which will work as a sound room for most purposes. You might not want a home theater in there but you could easily use it as a music room or recording area. With the number of musicians in the area I'm sure someone will make use of it. At very least the room is very well insulated now and the temperature in that room is more temprate then any other room in the house. It could be easily used as another bedroom in the future but I would have to see what codes would require.

Originally Posted by Isiolia

Currently building Tritrix TL 'cause of your last thread BTW. >__>

Awesome! How far along are you and how are they turning out?

**Nattack** · 2009-11-16 16:57

oh lord thats fantastic, I wanted to do something like that in my basement but it gets so damp in the spring, I've no idea what to do

**kareface** · 2009-11-16 17:14

Originally Posted by Nattack

oh lord thats fantastic, I wanted to do something like that in my basement but it gets so damp in the spring, I've no idea what to do

You can get moisture barriers, what gets damp? If it's the cement then that's pretty easy to fix. The backs of the 2x4's you can get a plastic moisture barrier and the floor you can use a sub flooring system like dricore or make your own with 2x4 framing. What's nice about sub floors is they raise the temperature of the room 3-5 degrees on colder days. I didn't need to go this route because the floors wern't damp or cold enough to warrant it. However I did go with a much thicker pad for extra insualtion but mostly for sound purposes.

**Isiolia** · 2009-11-16 17:52

Originally Posted by kareface

Awesome! How far along are you and how are they turning out?

I've about finished getting the actual cabinets put together. I elected to do 'em myself versus order the precut MDF kit from Parts Express - mostly to get the experience, but I'm also using modified plans, with a birch ply baffle.

Thus far they're turning out well, I think. Not absolutely perfect, but as it's my first project of the sort, I wasn't expecting they would be. Currently I have one side of each that has yet to be glued on, and my main hangup is that both glue on flush, or close enough (they're very close, just not perfect, and I can be finicky).
Otherwise, I need to put the crossovers together, and likely make some sort of bases to put them in. Like a lot of other builders, it seems, I'm not keen on messing with the airflow through the speaker - leaving really no good place to mount them inside the towers.

That plus finishing. I'm planning on finishing the baffles decently (stain/polyurethane), but using vinyl or basic paint for the rest. No piano black for me =P

Overall I've been enjoying the process, and most likely will be building more/better down the line. I'm eventually planning to do ones more on the level as you did, but felt it'd be better to get some practice first.

**kareface** · 2009-11-16 19:07

Originally Posted by Isiolia

I've about finished getting the actual cabinets put together. I elected to do 'em myself versus order the precut MDF kit from Parts Express - mostly to get the experience, but I'm also using modified plans, with a birch ply baffle.

Thus far they're turning out well, I think. Not absolutely perfect, but as it's my first project of the sort, I wasn't expecting they would be. Currently I have one side of each that has yet to be glued on, and my main hangup is that both glue on flush, or close enough (they're very close, just not perfect, and I can be finicky).
Otherwise, I need to put the crossovers together, and likely make some sort of bases to put them in. Like a lot of other builders, it seems, I'm not keen on messing with the airflow through the speaker - leaving really no good place to mount them inside the towers.

That plus finishing. I'm planning on finishing the baffles decently (stain/polyurethane), but using vinyl or basic paint for the rest. No piano black for me =P

Overall I've been enjoying the process, and most likely will be building more/better down the line. I'm eventually planning to do ones more on the level as you did, but felt it'd be better to get some practice first.

Awesome, you totally have to post some images of the process. I don't know if you've decided on the stain but I would suggest checking this place out: Barbara Butler-Colors Store-Online Store

They have a great selection of vibrant colors to choose from instead of the classic brownish hues that you find in the stores. I got Autumn and Bing Cherry and mixed them together till I got the shade I liked, testing it on the scrap wood I had. Also, you have to test the stain with the clear coat because that it will look completely different with the clear coat on. If you go with that site I would recommend getting the color you want + a much darker shade. I noticed that the colors were a little lighter then what was displayed on the site with my wood.

I did so many tests with the stain I found something that worked pretty well for me. Instead of following the usual instructions I made sure that I had a horizontal surface (it doesn't work well if the surface is vertical) and applied a decent amount of the stain. Then I left it on for several hours, until it was dried on and then buffed the surface with paper towels to remove any extra stain. Because I did so many test stains I got really good at the process and as a result the final product you see for my speakers is only a single application of the wood stain. Applying then removing the stain 5 min later really didn't work very well for applying a great deal of color to the wood. I was applying 4-6 coats and still not getting anything near what 1 coat left on till it was dry did. I was using a hardwood tho, something like birch might be different, but it could be worth a test if you have some scrap. Just remember, let it pretty much dry all the way, till you can see the wood again in most places and the left over stain becomes more chalky then watery. Then just wipe the chalky left overs off. If there is a slightly darker area you can take the towel and buff it for a while and it'll lighten up. Make sure to test it on scrap first, not on the speakers, lol. If you use this technique you can get away with very little stain, maybe even 4oz. If you plan to mix colors a ton I'd get 8oz's.

One last thing, if you don't have kids or child like adults around you can mount the cross overs on the outside of the speakers. I've seen this done before as as long as you make it look nice (use a wooden block for the cross over and do all the major soldering on the back side of it) it can actually look really awesome.

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