The following information is courtesy of the 2008 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2008 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Large Home Theater Level V: $340,000-$465,000

Date design began: 05-07-07
Date installation was completed: 02-04-08

FEATURE ESSAY:

1. Synopsis describing the project goals, special features, or nuances.

The clients’ passion for both music and movies required that the room serve a dual purpose. While maintaining an environment that was aesthetically congruent with the design of the rest of the home, the clients desired an area for critical music listening. The goal was that those characteristics would carry over to the home theater experience. Video quality played an equal role of importance to the audio. Room isolation and acoustic treatment was also a major focus of the project. The clients’ involvement throughout the decision making process was invaluable and refreshing. This is apparent with their ability to answer their friends’ questions about the system…right down to which cables were used.

2. Did you encounter any challenges or limitations in the design of the system or placement of equipment? Please describe the control system.

The first major challenge was the upgrade of the video display between the design phase and installation phase. The throw calculations changed as well, which led to a cooperative effort on everyone’s part, including the manufacturer, to accommodate the upgrade. The seating became an issue as the floor was poured with an educated guess as to the forms within the slope. These formed areas were not able to be enlarged due to potential damage to the floor heating system. Rather than reducing the amount of seating, the outer armrests were custom cut to follow the degree of the sloped floor. The concepts and execution of the room isolation were an initial struggle, but easily overcome with the proper communication between the parties involved. The control system was optimized for the client’s knowledge of the products installed and their unique features. In this case, providing access to all functions of all components was necessary.

3. Please discuss the acoustics including speaker placement and calibration as well as the SPL reading. Discuss the ventilation of the room.

The acoustical engineers involved with the project provided an initial blueprint for speaker placement. We combined this starting point with a methodical calibration using our most state-of-the-art equipment…our ears. The acoustical engineers also provided HVAC guidelines to ensure proper heating and cooling of the room without the introduction of noise into (or out of) the room.

4. Did you calibrate the theater? If yes, please discuss the video calibration and any challenges you encountered during calibration.

After an ISF calibration, the only “challenge” was to provide a calibrated video preset that would allow for the occasional game of Wii.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Runco
Model#: VX22D
Product Description: Video Projector CineWide w/Autoscope

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen
Model#: CineCurve Firehawk
Product Description: Variable Masking Projection Screen

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Kaleidescape
Model#: Kserver/Movie Player
Product Description: Movie & Music Server

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Classe
Model#: SSP600
Product Description: Surround Processor

Qty: 3
Manufacturer: Classe
Model#: CAM400
Product Description: Power Amplifier

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Classe
Model#: CA2200
Product Description: Power Amplifier

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Vienna Acoustics
Model#: Mahler
Product Description: Left & Right Speakers

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Vienna Acoustics
Model#: Oratorio
Product Description: Center Speaker

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Vienna Acoustics
Model#: Waltz Grand
Product Description: Side Speakers

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: Vienna Acoustics
Model#: Maestro Grand
Product Description: Back Speakers

Qty: 2
Manufacturer: REL
Model#: Studio III
Product Description: Front & Center Sub Bass Units

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: REL
Model#: Stentor III
Product Description: Rear Sub Bass Unit

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic
Model#: Slim
Product Description: Equipment Rack

Qty: 1
Manufacturer: AudioQuest
Model#: Various
Product Description: Interconnect/Speaker Cables

Qty: 6
Manufacturer: Shunyata Research
Model#: Guardian 2
Product Description: Power Distribution

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 30
Electronic Design and Engineering: 12
Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 16
Project Management: 30
Pre-wire/Rough-in: 16
Trim-out: 20
Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 8
Programming: 20
Final Installation and Calibration: 45
Client Instruction: 4
Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 4
Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 120
Project Management by Others: 60
Other time: 0
Total Hours to Complete: 385