Get Professional Advice before Choosing Your Home Theater System
Have you always dreamed of having a home theater? Product selection and installation is no small matter, and you may wonder if your home’s construction is suited for such a project, or if you can even afford it. It’s hard for the average homeowner to ascertain what type of audio and video equipment may or may not work out for their individual situation and needs. This is the time a professional consultation and estimate is called for.
Space and Seating
Most every home can accommodate a home theater — if it’s a priority for the homeowner. The most popular location is the basement, due to its lack of windows and troublesome ambient lighting, but attics, garages and spare rooms also work well. It’s best to start out with a large space, if possible. The minimum number of seats usually installed in home theaters is four, but many homeowners opt for more. You may be able to fit in extra seating if you purchase seats specially designed for this purpose, rather than using generic recliners or other overstuffed chairs.
Calculate Ideal Distance
If you plan to install a projection TV, you will also have to account for the additional space needed between the front row of seats and the screen — something that isn’t necessary with a flat-screen TV or a front-projection screen. Exact optimal placement of the screen and the seats is based on a formula for recommended distance and maximum viewing capacity. This can get a little tricky, so you might want the advice of an expert before making this decision.
Room Height
The height of your ceilings isn’t generally a huge consideration, unless you will be installing projection equipment up there — then you’ll want to make sure you have enough space. If your basement is already finished and your ceiling is installed, it’s a good idea to paint it black in the area that will serve as a theater, to cut down on bothersome glare that may interfere with the resolution of the picture.
Proper Acoustics
A wall-to-wall carpet on the floor is recommended to absorb some of the sound — the recommendation for home theaters is that 50 percent of the room’s surface should be covered (in carpet, drapes or other material) to absorb the right proportion of sound. It’s important, however, that the other half be left bare — this will aid in achieving the optimal acoustic environment. Getting the right balance of absorptive and reflective materials can also be a challenge — you may want professional advice regarding this aspect as well.
Theatron Home Theater and Smart Homes is Virginia’s premier dealer and installer of high-end home theater and audio equipment. Their trained professionals have outfitted some of the most upscale homes throughout Washington DC Metro area. For a free consultation and estimate on your planned home theater, call Theatron today.