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Very BIG Room? Music and Home Theatre Challenge

Could anyone please comment on issues that come to mind when setting up audio and home theatre in a big, barn like room?

I have been asked by a friend for some advice on a soon to be renovated "great room" which will be converted from a barn that was attached to their house.

Therefore, the new room will connect with the kitchen and extend to approximately 25' wide by 60' long with 14-15 foot ceilings.

The walls are made of stone and the floor is hardwood.

At the far end of the room, there will be a new chimney and fireplace installed, and the only brief I have so far is that will do lots of entertaining in this room, have a bar, and approximately 3 different seating areas within the room, and would consider a large projection or display device over the new fireplace.

The room is naturally pretty dark, which I hope will help with the video aspect.

As a Magneplanar fan, I would like to recommend 3.6s and all the Maggie surround sound speakers, but I need to learn more about their tastes and preferences.

I do know my friend loves to watch football and tennis, so I am also thinking HDTV in a big screen format.

But any ideas for such a project would be greatly appreciated.
cwlondon
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I won't comment on the audio part, there are just too many options, but if as you say, the room is naturally dark, and as big as it is, I think a projector and a large retractable screen would be way better.

If it was a barn, I assume it has a pitched (cathedral) ceiling with the high point in the middle running the long dimension. The slickest way to do the screen over the FP, would be to construct a level soffit about 9 feet above the floor and projecting about 3 feet out from the fireplace end. That would provide a natural place to install a motorized screen so you wouldn't have to look at the damn thing when you're not using it. As for flat or other type TVs over fireplaces, it just looks wrong! Whether the TV's on or off, its presence competes with the fireplace and you're not sure what to look at, the fireplace, or the TV screen! I always advise my clients against it.
unsound
7,311 posts
 
I am of the opinion that the only way to really be sucessfull with a home theater is in a really big room. Planar speakers would not be my choice for this application, the cost of amplification and limited dynamic range can be a challange. Front projection would be my first choice here as well. The fireplace can be a handicap both visually and sonically.
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
im with unsound,im not sure planars will cut the mustard in such a big room with high ceilings,maggies are not well known for great bass response even in a average size room with averagre ceilings.

a room that size needs BIG full range speakers.

mike.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I agree with Unsound and Bigjoe, front projection would be best (he can have another tv in one of his other locations) for casual watching. I agree on the fireplace and I think that most who have them here at the forum will agree also...have him build it off to the side somewhere out of the way if he can.

Planers, I like them and own them (Apogees), I also own big cone types (VMPS)...While I like my planers better than my cones from an audiophile standpoint...it's very clear which speakers can move more air, really what it's all about in a kick-butt hometheater setup.

Dave
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