Creating Your Ideal Home Theater

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Joe DeAngelis of DeAngelis Studio. © www.deangelisstudio.com. Photo courtesy of Advanced Communication Technologies. Only a few years ago, a “home theater” was only for the ultra-wealthy—the lucky few who could spare an extra room and tens of thousands of dollars on furnishings, equipment and accessories. But today, as high-definition has become mainstream and more people integrate widescreen televisions and souped-up audio systems into their homes, a true media room is within reach of more people. If you’re thinking about adding one of these high-tech spaces, these tips will have you headed in the right direction. Choose the Right Space If you want to go all-out, experts say the best way to integrate a home theater is to start from scratch. “It’s always ideal to either work with a client on a new construction, or be able to have the budget to take a room down to the studs and start from there,” says Stuart J. Allyn, president of Irvington, N.Y.-based A.D.R. Studios, a high-end home theater design company. The sheer amount of wiring labor, as well as the benefit of being able to design the room for the singular effect of creating a home theater cocoon, makes a blank slate room most attractive. “[Starting from scratch] allows the client to thoughtfully consider factors like the area required for seating, viewing distances and angles, room acoustics and so on,” says Bobby Bala, CEO and founder of Elite Home Theater Seating in Vancouver, BC, Canada. But not everyone has that luxury, of course. If you can’t do a new room, the best choices are square or rectangular rooms that are enclosed, have standard-height ceilings and have few windows or controllable light, says Paul Diggin, managing director of Advanced Communication Technologies, a custom electronics integrator in Hingham, Mass. “Many people think about putting a home theater in their ‘great room’ or a large room with high ceilings, lots of windows and architectural angles, but this is the worst type of room for a home theater.” Credit: Joe DeAngelis of DeAngelis Studio. © www.deangelisstudio.com. Photo courtesy of Advanced Communication Technologies. Pick the Right Video System One of the most intimidating parts of buying for a home theater can be choosing the right television or projection choice. With the many options available, figuring out what’s best for your room can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Knowing your needs is important, says Bala, so you neither over- nor under-spend. “We use this analogy: Just because someone can afford a Ferrari doesn’t mean they’ll be happy with it,” he says. “On the other hand, if he buys a Volvo and wants a Ferrari, then he’s also going to be dissatisfied.” If you’re buying a television, there are a couple of rules of thumb that can help, says David Meneely, co-founder of Pro-AV, a home theater company in Gonic, N.H. “If you’re looking for a screen under 42 inches, an LCD—or liquid crystal display—is the way to go. On the other hand, plasma screens are the most affordable choice when looking for a set over 42 inches,” he says.

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