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

LHT18

Date design began: 11-04-05

Date installation was completed: 10-08-07

FEATURE ESSAY:

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

The goals for this theater were high performance, sleek styling, and sound isolation. A blend of diffusive, absorptive, and reflective surfaces were meticulously combined to create an impressive design while enhancing performance. Unique, curved beams with LED accent lights and built-in spot lights allowed for flexible lighting scenes without any penetrations in the ceiling. Considerable time and expense went into the construction of the room shell for optimal isolation and performance. A large isolation transformer was installed to ensure clean, plentiful power to the theater equipment.

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

There were space and acoustical challenges with incorporating a dance floor and drum set. The dance floor was moved to the rear of the room to utilize the reflective qualities of the wood flooring. We reclaimed some unused space behind the left rear corner for a drum platform. A bar table platform was constructed in the right rear corner to visually balance the room. Most of the equipment was racked in an adjoining room that was isolated from the theater and separately cooled. One of the two amplifiers and the center speaker were installed behind an acoustically transparent wall at the front of the theater. A gaming port and microphones for the karaoke machine were installed behind one of the hinged fabric panels on the stage. The control system includes an AMX wireless touchpanel with a docking station that was built into the wall for recharging and storage simplicity.

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

We designed an acoustically transparent proscenium consisting of a false wall and side panels. This proscenium design provided support for the screen and the spacing needed between the tower speakers and the actual reflective front wall surface. The center speaker is concealed just below the screen behind the acoustically transparent false wall, while the left and right speakers are exposed on the stage. This design provided us great flexibility in moving the speakers during calibration. The room’s shell structure design allowed a SPL reading of 125db while the rest of the house remained quiet. A dedicated HVAC system keeps the room at a perfect temperature. The complex pattern of ducting and baffles under the riser were designed with noise control as top priority. The columns were fabricated to function as return air ducts with the vent openings cleverly concealed behind the sconces.

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

The audio was calibrated using an AudioControl real time spectrum analyzer. The video was calibrated to ISF standards using a Philips color analyzer. There were no challenges encountered, the room response was excellent.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Revel

Model#: Salon

Product Description: Ultima Loudspeakers

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Revel

Model#: Voice

Product Description: Ultima Center Channel

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Revel

Model#: SUB30

Product Description: Ultima Subwoofers

Qty: 4

Manufacturer: Revel

Model#: Embrace

Product Description: Surround Speakers

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Sony

Model#: Q004R1U

Product Description: SXRD Qualia Projector

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Sony

Model#: DVPK85PR

Product Description: Karaoke DVD Player

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Sony

Model#: BPDS1

Product Description: Blu-Ray Disc DVD

Qty: 9

Manufacturer: Acoustic Innovations

Model#: Seating

Product Description: Custom Theater Seats

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Anthem

Model#: D2B

Product Description: Pre Amp/Processor/Tuner

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Anthem

Model#: P5B

Product Description: Multi-Channel Amp

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Stewart Filmscreen

Model#: SNDQ102HFHG3WEZ

Product Description: Deluxe Screen Wall

Qty: 36

Manufacturer: Quest Acoustics

Model#: FRP

Product Description: Acoustic Panels

Qty: 2

Manufacturer: Furman

Model#: ELITE15PF

Product Description: Power Center

Qty: 70

Manufacturer: RPG Diffuser Systems

Model#: FLUTTERFREE

Product Description: Acoustical Hardwood Diffusers

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: Middle Atlantic

Model#: WRK40SA32

Product Description: 40-Space Rack

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AudioQuest

Model#: Mont Blanc

Product Description: Speaker Cabling Package

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AudioQuest

Model#: Panther

Product Description: Pre Amp Cabling Package

Qty: 1

Manufacturer: AudioQuest

Model#: HDMI3

Product Description: HDMI Cabling Package

TIME AND EXPERTISE:

Client Interviews: 22

Electronic Design and Engineering: 8

Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 10

Project Management: 40

Pre-wire/Rough-in: 38

Trim-out: 20

Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 10

Programming: 46

Final Installation and Calibration: 248

Client Instruction: 4

Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 60

Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 145

Project Management by Others: 43

Other time: 0

Describe Task:

Total Hours to Complete: 694