New house, new plans

[bigboss]

After months of pursuing, the deal to buy the house I had originally intended has fallen through. We've decided to go for part exchange for a new build, and they're offering a good deal. We're likely to finalise the deal on Saturday. Luckily, the house is still under construction, and will be ready by November or December.

So I have an excellent opportunity to get the first and second fixes done during the build stage! :clap:

This is the ground floor plan:

And this is the first floor:

My plans are:

1) Projector based system in the living room, with the projector screen in front of the window and in-ceiling and in-wall speakers and subwoofer (could go for multiple speakers to support Dolby Atmos, but need to do more research on this). Again, due to lack of space for centre speaker, I'm think of the Kef motorised ceiling speakers. As the living room is small and I want to ensure a minimalistic look for spaciousness, I think this is the best compromise.

2) Build an all-year round conservatory / garden room at the back, throughout the length of the house. The left half will be used for a TV (my existing Kuro!) with 5.1 or 7.1 sound system and the right half will he a gym / baby play area.

3) TV with soundbar in bedroom 1 (probably a Sonos Playbar).

My questions are:

1) How feasible is it, to have a central media hub and using an AV receiver with 3 HDMI outs to feed all 3 TVs / projector? And where should it be placed? Under the stairs? But then, how can it feed multiple 5.1 / 7.1 systems?

2) It's probably better if I use my existing AV receiver in the garden room. My existing Monitor Audio Radius HD speakers could be used, but I can't find any stand for R225HD speakers, and I don't want to wall mount. I suppose I could buy the R270HD floorstanders which is probably still available at discounted rates. I could use the zone 2 feed of the receiver for outdoor speakers.

Any suggestions / advice?

 

[bigboss]

Before anyone suggests, no, the garage will not be converted into a home cinema room! 🙂

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Before anyone suggests, no, the garage will not be converted into a home cinema room! 🙂

that was going to be my first post...! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

congrats on the new House! Will keep and eye on the ongoing process! 8)

:cheers:

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Why not use some help from a dedicaded AV company to give you some advices? :?

 

[bigboss]

I will of course do that, but would welcome suggestions from members as well.

 

[BenLaw]

Don't know about hub / 3 zone question. A couple of things do occur:

Any reason why PJ at window rather than at far side from window? May have fewer light problems the other way round?

Will you be using the conservatory for daily tv viewing or the living room? If the living room do you need a tv there also?

Are you sure you'll be satisfied with in wall / ceiling speakers for your main setup? I can see the point with surrounds but you may regret the reduced quality / less convincing soundfield by not having main speakers for your front three.

 

[bigboss]

Any reason why PJ at window rather than at far side from window? May have fewer light problems the other way round?

I want the room to remain bright. I'm going for a house with upgraded specs, which has very large windows (down to the floor) instead of a bay window. It'll be a shame to place the sofa in front of it, which will block light when the projector is not in use. The projector screen is likely going to be Draper ReAct 2.1, which is opaque, and I will have blackout curtains when the projector is in use.

Will you be using the conservatory for daily tv viewing or the living room? If the living room do you need a tv there also?

Just the conservatory for daily TV viewing. By conservatory I mean an extra room made of bricks and glass (not the glass greenhouse) with a proper roof, which can be used all year. Yes, it will be bright, which can affect plasma viewing. In that case, i'll take my Kuro to my bedroom, and keep an LED TV in the garden room.

Are you sure you'll be satisfied with in wall / ceiling speakers for your main setup? I can see the point with surrounds but you may regret the reduced quality / less convincing soundfield by not having main speakers for your front three.

I know what you mean. It's the centre speaker placement that's the problem (which brings me back to your 1st suggestion). When I go to the development on Saturday, I'll check the show home again.

 

[bigboss]

Due to the placement of the door in the living room, I'm thinking of a 'U' shaped sofa starting from the left wall and going round to the right. another reason for my projector placement.

Something like this against 3 walls:

 

[skippy]

The U shaped sofa works for us in the basement, you're just sat/lying at the perfect position for the screen.

Regarding the in-walls, I've no regrets going that way, I did stick with the conventional box for the centre, but I would look at an in-wall next time. All I would suggest is go for a better sub to make up for any deficiencies with the in-walls.

Cost for the in-walls was about 250 quid (converted) for 4, film sound is very good, music played from my Sonos is surprisingly good, don't discount em...

 

[bigboss]

Good point regarding the sub. :cheers:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Looks very nice! :cheers:

 

[bigboss]

You're right Ben. I think I'm just making things complicated. I should use the wall on the right side (the longest one) for my home cinema, with TV and drop down projector screen. The seating could be L shaped with a single seater in bottom left corner.

This would allow me to go for a traditional 5.1 or 7.1 system without compromising much.

:cheers:

 

[bigboss]

Wife has just pointed out limited seating arrangements if we use the longest wall for home cinema. :doh:

So I think the second best option is to have the TV next to the door in the centre of that wall (where the TV is drawn in the plan), have in-wall speakers, with left speaker just before the door and the right at an equidistance on the other side and the centre below the TV. I'll place the speakers in such a way that when the motorised projector screen comes down, the speakers will be lined just below it. I think I can go for a 7.1 or 7.2 setup.

 

[bigboss]

I've made a rough drawing of the plan (not to scale):

The speakers will be in-wall speakers. The subwoofer will be placed behind the single seater (like my current setup). What do you think?

 

[bigboss]

I'm thinking of these speakers for my 7.1 setup:

1) Fronts and centre: Monitor Audio WT380-IDC (3-way, based on Gold series)

2) Side surrounds: Monitor Audio CT265-FX (which has dipole and bipole options) (2-way, based on silver series)

3) Rear surrounds: Monitor Audio CT165 (based on Bronze series)

I considered M&K in walls, but they're way beyond my budget (especially considering I've got other expenses related to the house purchase).

 

[bigboss]

For Dolby Atmos, I'll need a 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 setup. I could possibly install 2-4 speakers in the ceiling, maybe Pro-IC65

 

[bigboss]

I've made an appointment to see a home cinema installer in 2 weeks.

 

[bigboss]

Looks like I'll go for either the 2040 or 3040! :clap:

http://www.whathifi.com/news/yamaha-unveils-aventage-rx-a40-av-receiver-range

 

[ellisdj]

Due to the placement of the door in the living room, I'm thinking of a 'U' shaped sofa starting from the left wall and going round to the right. another reason for my projector placement.

Something like this against 3 walls:

Speaking from experience of this - unless your lshape sofa exactly lines cushions/ size wise you end up having to sit between cushions as the central listening / viewing spot or sit at an angle ona cushion.

Sitting at an angle is no good for me for critical listening / viewing.

You might end up having to have a sofa custom made - which is what I should have done in hindsight.

something to consider

 

[bigboss]

Good point. Will look at alternatives, and custom options. Do you know of any good custom sofa maker?

 

[steve iow]

Hi BB first congratulations on your new home,i am looking forward to see more pic as your system grows,as this is a new build is it not possible to move the door to the end of the wall which will give you more space for your equipment. All the best Steve

 

[bigboss]

Thanks Steve! No, moving the door isn't possible. If you see the floorplan, it's already on the edge when you walk in the house. In fact, the builders aren't even permitting anyone to get in for 1st / 2nd fix during the build stage.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Due to the placement of the door in the living room, I'm thinking of a 'U' shaped sofa starting from the left wall and going round to the right. another reason for my projector placement.

Something like this against 3 walls:

Good idea - try and keep things symmetrical - less work for the room EQ to do, and minimise any issues.

 

[chrisup]

bigboss

I am already envious of your proposed new setup and I hope you have many hours of pleasure watching good films. I also hope you will be happy in your new home.

Best wishes

Chris

 

[bigboss]

Due to the placement of the door in the living room, I'm thinking of a 'U' shaped sofa starting from the left wall and going round to the right. another reason for my projector placement.

Something like this against 3 walls:

Good idea - try and keep things symmetrical - less work for the room EQ to do, and minimise any issues.

Yes, I want to keep the system symmetrical. Thankfully, no fireplace so no more compromising! :clap: