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Built to Thrill: Inside a No-Compromise HYPERSUB Theater

by Nyal Mellor July 16, 2025

Built to Thrill: Inside a No-Compromise HYPERSUB Theater

Completion Year: 2025

Client Profile

A passionate AV enthusiast and hands-on DIYer, our client, JC, spent years refining his home theater systems through experimentation and continual upgrades. When it came time to build his new home, he finally had the opportunity to do it right—a purpose-built, fully dedicated theater engineered from the ground up for reference-level performance.

Project Overview

For JC, the opportunity to incorporate a fully sound-isolated, professionally engineered, and custom-calibrated theater into his new home marked the realization of a long-held dream.

 “I’d built theaters in regular rooms before, but this time, I wanted something really special.”

From day one, Acoustic Frontiers was brought on board to ensure every detail—from acoustic isolation to system performance—was executed with precision.

Room Overview

The theater measures 21' 8.5" long by 16' 6.5" wide, with a ceiling height of 9' 3.25". It features a floating “room within a room” construction method for optimal sound isolation. A small, dedicated AV closet includes its own ventilation system, and a soundproof communicating door with automatic drop seals completes the acoustic envelope.

Acoustic Frontiers Solutions

Acoustic Frontiers delivered our Complete Home Theater Package, which included Design, Audio/Visual equipment engineering, subwoofer placement and optimization, acoustic treatment, sound isolation, HVAC and electrical coordination, baffle wall and riser design, hush box design, and final calibration.

To reinforce acoustic isolation, the entry was fitted with a soundproof communicating door featuring mortised automatic door bottoms. At the front of the room, a custom-designed baffle wall anchors the space, integrating angled left and right speakers and a large bass trap for low-frequency control. Acoustic Frontiers also designed a custom projector hush box to minimize fan noise while ensuring proper ventilation. The functional design was developed in-house, with CNC detailing and cosmetic refinements crafted by a local cabinetmaker.

On the electrical side, the room includes four dedicated 20-amp lines: three routed to the AV closet and one to the main room, along with separate circuits for lighting and outlets. Our multi-layered power protection and filtering approach ensures the system operates quietly and reliably—no matter how complex the signal chain.

The acoustic treatment plan—based on Acoustic Frontiers’ proprietary methodology—was installed by a local integrator. The result is a space that not only performs beautifully but also reflects a refined, intentional design.

As JC described it:

“Acoustic Frontiers’ know-how made a big difference in making the design just right. I call it the Acoustic Frontiers signature look.”

Equipment Breakdown

JVC NZ900, madVR Envy Extreme, Stewart Filmscreen StudioTek 130 G4,
Kaleidescape, Apple TV, Oppo 203, Roku, Trinnov Altitude 16,
AudioControl Pantages (speakers), Environmental Potentials, SurgeX, Panamax UPS,
JBL SCL-2 (LCR), SCL-7 (Surrounds), SCL-5 (Heights),
HYPERSUB F-21 with HYPERSUB 422 amplifier*

The Results

In the Client's Words

“The system is phenomenal. Dialogue is crystal clear, surround effects are immersive, and the bass is powerful and well integrated. I’m still adjusting target curves depending on whether I’m demoing or just watching casually, but Acoustic Frontiers nailed the high frequencies from the start. I mainly adjust the bass to taste—and thankfully, the HYPERSUB F-21s can handle anything I throw at them. And I throw a lot.

Over the years, I’ve owned and tested a wide range of subwoofers: Definitive Technology, GoldenEar, SVS SB13 and PB13, MartinLogan Descent, Funk 18.0, JTR RS1, and many DIY builds—including BHS-24s in Salk enclosures, mid-bass woofers, and even a BOSS platform. Most did some things well, but none delivered both deep ULF and punchy mid-bass at the same time.

The HYPERSUB Frontier, on the other hand, does it all. I originally had another brand in mind, but Nyal introduced me to his system design process—and I’m glad he did. The HYPERSUBs are exactly what I’d been searching for: tight mid-bass punch and excellent ULF.

To give you an idea: I asked Acoustic Frontiers to create presets with up to 20dB of boost in the bass range, with another 10dB added to the sub channel. That preset is designed to scare guests—and it works. I can't even use it for long. For everyday listening, I dial it back, but I love having the flexibility.

No other subwoofer system I’ve had even comes close to what this room delivers. Reaching out to Acoustic Frontiers turned out to be one of the best decisions I made, and I highly recommend working with them if you want to get the most out of your theater.” ~J.C.

Interested in a deeper dive? Check out J.C.’s AVS Forum build thread for a behind-the-scenes look.

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Nyal Mellor
Nyal Mellor

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