Bringing The Theatre Home

By Elliot | February 17, 2015

Media rooms or home theatres are still a hot renovation trend in 2015. But, it takes more than just a huge television to make a home theatre work. There are a few things to keep in mind when designing your home media centre:

Home Theatre

1. In many homes, the basement offers the best location for a home theatre. There is less natural light to contend with, the rooms can usually accommodate the size of the equipment and it is easier to run wiring and add insulation and soundproofing to ceilings and walls.

2. One of the most important considerations in a basement installation is electrical capacity. Most home theatres will need more than one circuit and grounded outlets. Surge protectors are a good investment.

3. The size of the screen will determine the placement of seating – the larger the screen, the further away the seating for optimal viewing. To calculate the best seat-to-screen distance, divide the size of your screen by .84 (screen size is measured diagonally). For example, a 65-inch TV divided by .84 equals a 77-inch viewing distance (6.5 feet), according to movie and home theatre specialists, THX. Buy the biggest and best system you can afford.

4. For rooms with limited space, THX recommends the following guide for seating placement:

  • 35-inch TV = 3.5 to 5 feet away
  • 40-inch TV = 4 to 6 feet away
  • 50-inch TV = 5 to7.5 feet away
  • 60-inch TV = 6 to 9 feet away

5. Vertical placement is also an important consideration. A common mistake is to mount the screen too high on the wall. Ideally, viewers from any seat should not have to look up more than 15 degrees for comfortable viewing.

6. Seating is important and should be comfortable, with side tables and footrests. Chair backs should not be too high, as that can block the sound, and should be placed in the centre of the room rather than against the wall to allow the sound to travel.

7. Sound is at least half of the home theatre experience, so the placement of speakers is important. Guides are available on the optimal arrangement of speakers, depending on the type of system you choose.

8. Acoustics are another important consideration. Square rooms and bare walls and floors can create an echo chamber that distorts the sound. Ideally, your home theatre will be located in a room with different angles, carpeted floors and lots of soft furniture.

With some careful planning and expert advice, you’ll be taking a bow when the credits roll in your new home theatre.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club

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