New house, new plans

[bigboss]

Anyway, I've decided on a 7.1.2 setup with Yamaha RX-2040 because it'll be a far easier install, plus Yamaha RX-A3040 doesn't support 7.1.4 on its own.

 

[Glacialpath]

... whilst you are watching a movie in the living room? Yes, if that's the way your family life is organized this setup makes sense, does not really sound 21st century though. If the builder sells like that I would never buy like that, my 2 cents. I don't see how your wife would not be able to supervise the kid in case the living area (kitchen/dining/living) would be in one single entity, without any walls eating up all the space.

Don't want to be annoying here, I just don't understand why any modern young family would wish to live in a house that is organized as if they were still living in a Victorian era. So, please, enlighten me.

This is the UK. This is how our houses have been designed since the turn of the last century. It's what we are used to, it's how builders biuld houses hear.

Open plan (like you seem to have) is fine but we are used to a Kitchen, Living room and dinning room as seperate. Yes people may have a bedroom to go to and believe me if we still live at our parents in our 20s or 30s as some people do then they live in their bedroom.

Having a home cinema ina room is better than having it in an open plan space IMO.

We just live differently to you guys in Europe. Some flats will have one long room in with lounge space at one end, dinning table in the middle and the kitchen area at the other end. This is undesireable in a lot of cases as it's not normal here.

 

[henne_j]

This is the UK. This is how our houses have been designed since the turn of the last century. It's what we are used to, it's how builders biuld houses hear.

That's an interesting stance. So, you still put in single glazing in your house as well? Wood burning stoves as primary source of heating? You drive to work with a Ford Model T every day and use pigeons to send letters? How on earth did you manage to even reply to this thread??? I am getting carried away here but I hope you see where I am heading; it's not because things were always done in a certain way that that is the best way. And I am not convinced that every British family is as old fashioned as you insinuate. When watching grand designs, where people tend to think for themselves on how they want to organize their livng space and not some dodgy builder who just wants to put in a floorplan that is particularly good at maximizing profit, the open plan thing seems to be the standard. You can hardly call grand designs a representative sample but it still indicates that this is not necessarily a Belgian thing.

Having a home cinema ina room is better than having it in an open plan space IMO.

I fully agree, if you have a mansion. If you don't, it would make more sense to group everything together. I guess it also depends on how you live, if you need to stare at a moving screen every second to spare it could make sense. But in that case, I still feel quite sorry for you.

We just live differently to you guys in Europe. Some flats will have one long room in with lounge space at one end, dinning table in the middle and the kitchen area at the other end. This is undesireable in a lot of cases as it's not normal here.

That's the way how it's done in my house resulting in a massive space of 75 m2 for a, to Belgian standards, small house (total of 150 m2). Switch on the stereo and the whole space is filled with quality reproduced music. You know why? I only needed to splash my cash on one system.

I'm not a fan of open plans. We do a lot of cooking, don't want guests to bear all the fumes and the smell.

In case your experience with fumes is based on the cheapest extractor hoods money can buy, probably of the type your builder will fit in case you buy the kitchen with the house, than I have to agree. My experience is that a modern extractor hood will make sure no fumes and smells will escape the kitchen area, it will therefore also cost £1000. It's a bit sad, you have based the most important product you ever bought (i.e. your house, not your home cinema) on dated perception.

Clearly the Belgians can teach us a great deal about house design. I suggest BB you get yourself a Belgian builder and put an end to this wasteful wall-separation nonesense.

Bit of a cynic reply. I also did not intend to state that any new Belgian home is logically structured (it certainly isn't), although I am aware it could have come across as such. Anyhow, what I want to debate is the fact that the topic starter is probably putting more thought in how on earth he is going to organize his home cinema than to organize his home. Just wondering bigboss, did you ever consider to head to an architect and design your own house? Did you actually compare floor plans? Did you visit houses with different floor plans, large high open spaces, large windows, modern quality equipped kitchens?

 

[bigboss]

Just wondering bigboss, did you ever consider to head to an architect and design your own house? Did you actually compare floor plans? Did you visit houses with different floor plans, large high open spaces, large windows, modern quality equipped kitchens?

There's no land available in the area I'm moving to, to build my own house. You either buy a new build from the builder (already pre-designed, and you cannot change it), or buy an old house. That's it. Building own houses isn't common here, and don't base your thoughts and perceptions on "Grand Designs" as they are rare houses.

 

[bigboss]

I'm not a fan of open plans. We do a lot of cooking, don't want guests to bear all the fumes and the smell.

In case your experience with fumes is based on the cheapest extractor hoods money can buy, probably of the type your builder will fit in case you buy the kitchen with the house, than I have to agree. My experience is that a modern extractor hood will make sure no fumes and smells will escape the kitchen area, it will therefore also cost £1000. It's a bit sad, you have based the most important product you ever bought (i.e. your house, not your home cinema) on dated perception.

I don't think you really appreciate the fact that people have their own individual tastes. Even if it's the best cooker hood on the market, you cannot eliminate all smells for our type of cooking. I can tell this because my cousin has a Miele cooker hood with an open plan kitchen - living room area (you agree that's a damn good cooker hood, no?). Still, the smell lingers on. Your experience may be with modern cooker hoods, but obviously not with our type of cooking. I love cooking, and do not want to be bothered by guests when I'm in the kitchen. It's my own personal space.

If my taste doesn't agree with yours, so be it. This has nothing to do with "dated perception". So stop continuing this debate, as it's completely pointless to this thread.

I HATE OPEN PLAN KITCHEN - LIVING SPACES - hope that's loud and clear.

 

[henne_j]

I don't think you really appreciate the fact that people have their own individual tastes. Even if it's the best cooker hood on the market, you cannot eliminate all smells for our type of cooking. I can tell this because my cousin has a Miele cooker hood with an open plan kitchen - living room area (you agree that's a damn good cooker hood, no?).

No I don't necessarily agree . It all depends on how it was integrated in the kitchen and whether it was sufficiently powered. I have experienced people smoking under a modern island kitchin extractoor hood without ANY smell even in their near proximity. If your cooking creates a more pertinent smell than cigarette smoke you're doing something wrong.

Still, the smell lingers on. Your experience may be with modern cooker hoods, but obviously not with our type of cooking. I love cooking, and do not want to be bothered by guests when I'm in the kitchen. It's my own personal space.

So, wait a sec. First, when you have guests you still need to cook? Second, if that's the case you are in a different room whilst your guests will be sitting in the living room, wasting time? 🙂. And third, who buys a house in function of entertaining guests? What about the other 90% of the time you 're going to spend there? It just doesn't make sense...

If my taste doesn't agree with yours, so be it. This has nothing to do with "dated perception". So stop continuing this debate, as it's completely pointless to this thread.

I HATE OPEN PLAN KITCHEN - LIVING SPACES - hope that's loud and clear.

It's not a matter of taste, you would be lucky if it were only to be a matter of taste! It's about logical thinking. I hope they didn't start plastering yet, still a chance to knock through some walls 🙂. Btw why on earth do you have three (3!!) exterior doors? The one on the right hand side is eating up all your storage space. Is your wife at all included in the discussion on how the house needs to be structured? It seems you have more important things to look at than your bloody home cinema, even if you want to keep the victorian structure...

😉

 

[simonlewis]

henne-j whats your problem, it's not your house and you won't be living their, this threads about home cinema and not open planned kitchen/living rooms.

 

[henne_j]

There's no land available in the area I'm moving to, to build my own house. You either buy a new build from the builder (already pre-designed, and you cannot change it), or buy an old house. That's it. Building own houses isn't common here, and don't base your thoughts and perceptions on "Grand Designs" as they are rare houses.

I just can't imagine that... There must always be some land available to build, unless you live in/around London, no? What about renovating an existing house? But I mean renovating, not refurbishing. New concrete base,windows, extensions, insulated exterior walls etc.?

 

[bigboss]

There's no land available in the area I'm moving to, to build my own house. You either buy a new build from the builder (already pre-designed, and you cannot change it), or buy an old house. That's it. Building own houses isn't common here, and don't base your thoughts and perceptions on "Grand Designs" as they are rare houses.

I just can't imagine that... There must always be some land available to build, unless you live in/around London, no? What about renovating an existing house? But I mean renovating, not refurbishing. New concrete base,windows, extensions, insulated exterior walls etc.?

You have absolutely no idea about housing in the UK, especially in cities (not just London).

 

[henne_j]

henne-j whats your problem, it's not your house and you won't be living their, this threads about home cinema and not open planned kitchen/living rooms.

I find open planned kitchen/living rooms more interesting to discuss, so what? Once I better understand why the topic starter decides to live like in a certain way we could go into his home cinema needs, there are far more pressing matters to discuss first.

Bigboss, I got that you want to directly add an extension to the house for a gym and another TV. I find that odd, you just decided to buy a house and you already start extending it? When are you still going to sit in that living room when the extension is there, in particular when you want to have a 5.1 or 7.1 system in the conservatory as well? Isn't that a bit - how should I put it courteously - silly?

If you spend your money on a smaller home couldn't you retire 5 years earlier or take more days off to spend with your kid? I am sure it will appreciate that more than having several play areas or two home cinema systems to choose from when watching Postman Pat. Have you considered the effect of so many televisions on the development of your child? You're bound to raise an unmanageable individual that will constantly long for it's audiovisual fix...

Just be honest, have you actually considered all this before you made the decision? Or did you have mainly the guests in mind that so desperately need to be entertained whilst you spend time in your individual space?

The more I read on this topic, the more confused I get...

 

[bigboss]

No I don't necessarily agree . It all depends on how it was integrated in the kitchen and whether it was sufficiently powered. I have experienced people smoking under a modern island kitchin extractoor hood without ANY smell even in their near proximity. If your cooking creates a more pertinent smell than cigarette smoke you're doing something wrong.

It doesn't matter to me whether you agree or not. My experience is different to yours.

So, wait a sec. First, when you have guests you still need to cook?

Yes of course.

Second, if that's the case you are in a different room whilst your guests will be sitting in the living room, wasting time? 🙂.

Yes, to warm food, put plates out etc. I don't need you to teach me to change my culture.

And third, who buys a house in function of entertaining guests? What about the other 90% of the time you 're going to spend there? It just doesn't make sense...

I do. I'm not compromising on the other 90% at all; on the contrary enhancing it, by going for a good home cinema.

It's not a matter of taste, you would be lucky if it were only to be a matter of taste!

It is a matter of taste. I can buy houses with open plans, but I don't want open plan. I have consciously avoided open plan.

It's about logical thinking.

My logic is different to yours.

I hope they didn't start plastering yet, still a chance to knock through some walls 🙂.

I don't want to.

Btw why on earth do you have three (3!!) exterior doors? The one on the right hand side is eating up all your storage space.

Each door has its own function. Main door is, er, main door. Bifold door at the back is for going into the garden, and keeping it open during summer to let all the light in. The side door is for taking rubbish out.

Is your wife at all included in the discussion on how the house needs to be structured?

Yes she is included. I have no other words to explain your impermeable mind that the structure cannot be changed.

It seems you have more important things to look at than your bloody home cinema, even if you want to keep the victorian structure...

You're obviously in the wrong forum.

Now stop trolling.

 

[henne_j]

You have absolutely no idea about housing in the UK, especially in cities (not just London).

What city are we talking about?

 

[bigboss]

Bigboss, I got that you want to directly add an extension to the house for a gym and another TV. I find that odd, you just decided to buy a house and you already start extending it? When are you still going to sit in that living room when the extension is there, in particular when you want to have a 5.1 or 7.1 system in the conservatory as well? Isn't that a bit - how should I put it courteously - silly?

You haven't read the whole thread properly. That plan has been long discarded, as I have found a way to incorporate the TV in the living room.

If you spend your money on a smaller home couldn't you retire 5 years earlier or take more days off to spend with your kid? I am sure it will appreciate that more than having several play areas or two home cinema systems to choose from when watching Postman Pat. Have you considered the effect of so many televisions on the development of your child? You're bound to raise an unmanageable individual that will constantly long for it's audiovisual fix...

Don't teach me on how to bring up my child, nor lecture me on my retirement planning.

Just be honest, have you actually considered all this before you made the decision?

Yes I have.

Or did you have mainly the guests in mind that so desperately need to be entertained whilst you spend time in your individual space?

Cannot argue with non-sense.

The more I read on this topic, the more confused I get...

Stop reading then!

 

[bigboss]

You have absolutely no idea about housing in the UK, especially in cities (not just London).

What city are we talking about?

The internet is yours. Find me land to build in York.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Belgium chocolate is dreadful. Why have they no idea how to make decent stuff? Maybe they live in chocolate houses. Suggest his posts are simply ignored - back to topic please.

PS. Looking at hennej's posts I realise, a member now for some days and into hifi for at least a couple of years I recon we should take this issue more seriously. I have already begun knocking down a few walls but to be honest, I am a tad worried about the sagging ceiling. I may remove the ceiling and have an entirely open plan house. Loosing 4 bedrooms and bathroom I can live with knowing that my HC will sound sweet with the extra space. I may (like hennej) open up the front walls and install large sheets of glass to improve the sweet treble. Sorry BB - I really think you need to consider a rebuild - your family will thank you in the end - just remember to install expensive extractors which will surely solve all your problems.

Looking forward to seeing some photos as you progress. Cheers

 

[bigboss]

*biggrin*

 

[Glacialpath]

Ah Bigboss I just thought I would pop in and see how your house project was getting on. I was not expecting to find your new home thread has been hijacked. Oh hang I can't actually be posting this to you as I clearly live in the 1930s so if you are scrolling though this thread and see a black space, give it 70 yeas or o and it should suddenly appear.

I had to laugh at what our "living logical officer" has had to say. So much so it feels like some one has hired him to post on your thread and genrally make a fool of himself. I'm supprised you haven't reported him. Ok he's not being offensive...well maybe he is. I know I feel offended for you. Not by what he replyed to me regarding what I explained to him as he clearly did hours of research to answer my comment but neglected to learn anything about us Brits and life in Brittain before throwing his Belgiun logic at us.

What's the next step with regards moving in and so on. Do you have a completion date for the house. We are all quite excited for you and you wife and child to be starting a new home that I'm sure will be comfortable and imagine you haveing great parties with some very tastey food and light music followed by a rip roaring movie desplay when you drop the screen, dim the lights and emers everyone on an atmosphere of splendid audio and stunning picture.

 

[bigboss]

Thanks Glacialpath! The house will be ready by December. Just getting designs and equipment finalised meanwhile.

So far I'm thinking of a 7.1.2 or 7.2.2 setup with:

MA WT280-IDC for fronts and centre

MA CT265FX for side surrounds

MA CT265 for rear surrounds and Dolby Atmos

Subwoofer(s) to be confirmed depending on the home cinema design

Yamaha RX-A2040 receiver

Oppo 103 or 103D player

Sony HW40 projector

 

[henne_j]

Belgium chocolate is dreadful. Why have they no idea how to make decent stuff? Maybe they live in chocolate houses.

Is this really the best you could come up with? My empty coffee mug has still more creativity and sense of humour in it than you do. Are you 8 years old?

Anyhow, I had my fun, thanks for replying bigboss

 

[Um]

Belgium chocolate is dreadful. Why have they no idea how to make decent stuff? Maybe they live in chocolate houses.

Is this really the best you could come up with? My empty coffee mug has still more creativity and sense of humour in it than you do. Are you 8 years old?

Anyhow, I had my fun, thanks for replying bigboss

Prat

 

[bigboss]

I had a chance to demo Monitor Audio CP series' of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers at my colleague's friend's place on Sunday. Very impressed with the sound! I then emailed Monitor Audio regarding CP vs Trimless series'.........they're basically the same except for the back box which helps in preventing sound leaking into neighbouring rooms (which isn't a concern for me, as they're being installed on a false wall / ceiling).

So this is the kit so far:

1) Speakers:

MA WT280-IDC X 3 for fronts

MA CT265FX X 2 for side surrounds (unless FX is not compatible with Atmos, in which case it will be CT265)

MA CT265 X 4 for rear surrounds and Dolby Atmos

2) Subwoofer:

Probably SVS SB1000 (or SB2000) X 2 if I can hide them in a cabinet. Or KK DXD-808 if I were to buy only 1 subwoofer, with the option of doubling it in the future.

3) AV receiver:

Yamaha RX-A2040

4) Projector:

Sony HW40 (unless something better is announced between September and November)

5) Blu ray player:

Oppo 103 / 103D

 

[bigboss]

After a bit of lull, some activity! The home cinema installer is visiting the show home on Saturday for measurements and designs.

 

[Glacialpath]

After a bit of lull, some activity! The home cinema installer is visiting the show home on Saturday for measurements and designs.

Ooh the antisipation builds.

 

[bigboss]

Thanks!

The meeting was very productive today. The designer has proposed a layout which I really like. He will email me the plans next week. I will be emailing him my current equipment shortly, to incorporate in his design.