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Our client, an avid a/v enthusiast with extensive knowledge in sound reproduction, sought to create a listening environment that excelled in every aspect of audio performance.
The project required transforming a slightly irregularly shaped basement into a state-of-the-art home theater. Recognizing the complexities of the project he engaged Acoustic Frontiers, to provide expert guidance on room layout, sound isolation, and acoustic treatments .The room had three concrete walls and a concrete floor, with a double-stud wall built to house dual MDF slab doors.
Our Client’s top priorities for this project were as outlined
Audio and Surround Sound Performance: The highest priority was achieving superior 2-channel music performance, with plans to incorporate surround sound into the setup in a later phase.
Video Performance: Future installation of a projector and retractable screen.
Aesthetic Appeal: Ensuring the room was both functional and visually engaging, capturing the vibe of a live music venue.
Bass performance was also a critical aspect of this build. The client had specific requirements:
We provided our Core Home Theater Design Package with the following additions: Sound Isolation, HVAC, Hush Box, Riser and Baffle Wall.
HVAC
The HVAC system was designed with variable static pressure to prevent over- or under-conditioning based on occupancy, with muffler boxes, large ducts, and grills minimizing noise. The system operates nearly silently, making it ideal for recreational listening.
Room Design and Construction
Sound isolation was paramount, with walls and ceilings floated on metal springs or rubber isolation mounts per Acoustic Frontiers' specifications. This design effectively reduces bass resonances and enhances acoustic isolation. Concrete walls were lined with 5/8" Soundbreak Board, and other walls and ceilings featured multiple layers with damping compounds. A 12" rear riser functions as a bass trap, complementing front and rear wall bass traps and mid-high frequency reflectors. The room’s final dimensions are approximately 28'x19'x8.5', with a 4' deep subwoofer enclosure at the rear housing four Stereo Integrity IB-24s for infrasonics. Four JBL 5628 subwoofers are built into each corner, ensuring even bass response. MSO optimization is planned using the built-in Crown amp DSP.
Acoustic treatment blends diffusion and absorption, with sidewall early reflections diffused. RT60 was reduced from 0.74 seconds to 0.51 seconds with treatments, and further to 0.39 seconds with bean bag chairs, though the owner prefers the sound without them.
All A/V equipment is located outside of the theater in an AV rack, so fan noise is a non-issue.
Appearance
The room replicates the vibe of a live performance space, with black-stained white oak floors, a matte black ceiling, black brick veneer sidewalls, and exposed vertical 1x6 boards forming the front and rear false walls. RGB lighting enhances the atmosphere, turning the black interior into an immersive escape. The JBL M2 speakers feature a custom candy apple electric blue finish.
Miscellaneous
Extra wiring for front LCR locations allows easy in-room testing or demoing of other speakers. Future plans include mounting the L/R speakers on rails, a pass-through port for calibration microphones, pre-installed wiring for ceiling speakers, surround sound, a projector hushbox, and Cat6 runs for future upgrades. The room follows a room-within-a-room construction, with a Kinetics RIM floating floor and Kinetics ICW springs to float the ceiling, ensuring complete decoupling from the existing structure.
This project exemplifies the remarkable impact of expert guidance and collaboration on achieving extraordinary results. The room’s RT60 (reverberation time) improved from 0.74 seconds to 0.51 seconds, ensuring near-perfect acoustic balance with exceptional stereo imaging, powerful, transparent bass, with all sound confined inside the walls of the media room. This project demonstrates how expert design and acoustic treatment can exceed expectations, delivering both jaw-dropping sound and a beautifully immersive environment.
Equipment Selection: JBL M2s (Dual I-tech 5000HDs), Four JBL 5628 subwoofers for the audible spectrum (I-tech 3500x4HD ~2500 watts/cab, 4000 watts peak), Four Stereo Integrity IB-24s in an infinite baffle arrangement for infra-sonics (I-tech 5000HD producing ~1250 watts/driver), JBL SDP-75 for processing, BluOS for streaming and a CD player (both connect to SDP-75 using digital outputs).
"I hired Acoustic Frontiers to handle the layout and engineering of my project, including room design, sound isolation, acoustics, and treatment plans. I can confidently say that Acoustic Frontier's expertise and consultative approach have resulted in a project far superior to anything I could have designed on my own—even after years of studying sound reproduction and room acoustics as a hobby. I highly recommend Acoustic Frontiers' services to anyone aiming for the best possible outcome." ~ Kenneth D.
Nyal Mellor, Founder, Acoustic Frontiers
Nyal Mellor
Author