Home Theater Small Footprint Options Leave a Big Impression
Becoming a home theater owner should not be hindered by a lack of space. Many potential owners of home theaters are hesitant to take the plunge because they may feel they do not have enough room for an actual box office or concession stand. For those with limited space, there are small footprint options that are available after a space analysis.
Before anyone can join the ranks of home theater ownership, it is recommended that they undergo a space analysis that reveals surface reflections, sound isolation possibilities, and other qualities that are necessary for maximizing the viewing and listening experience. The needs of the theater are affected by the other rooms or the spaces around it. For those with limited space, maximizing the space available can transform a basic room into a home theater. For example, an extra bedroom may be transformed by closing off its door and rerouting traffic to enter through what might have been a closet at one time, creating a kind of mini-lobby. With a few cosmetic and physical changes, viewers enter the redesigned space, close the door, open another door, and then are transitioned to the next space. The simplest changes like a mini hallway with wall scones a poster case can really make a big difference when entering the smaller theater area.
One of the best small footprint options for the smaller theater space is to tie all theater designs together with a theme. From the mini-lobby to the walls lining the entrance, any theme may go beyond the red drapes and black carpet. Theater design professionals often try to use a lot of different types of themes. For instance, movie theater themes using a lot of the old, rich burgundy colors are as popular as sports themes and kids themes. There is an infinite number of design themes available regardless of the available space. The main concern is the architectural aspect of the overall design of the respective room. Through collaboration with interior designers or interior decorators, home theater designers are able to create almost any thematic result requested by the home theater owner.
The only limitation for a home theater is not the owner’s space but his or her imagination. The only must-have is what is most important to the owner. The owner is in the position to perform a self-analysis and determine what thematic and performance aspects are of greatest importance to the primary users of the theater space. What is most important to one viewer or listener might not be so important to another. For example, some may care more about the aesthetic look of a theater, whereas others are more concerned with sound quality. Ultimately, as far as an across the board must-have, one of the most important things is that the seating fits the room properly. With careful planning and sincere space analyses, any size room can be fitted for an adequate home theater that provides hours of home entertainment.
Keep Your Home Theater to Yourself with Sound Isolation
April 24, 2010 by Mike
Filed under Articles, Audio, Sound Control
Sound isolation for many home theater owners is a second thought, only after the system is installed and its importance is realized. What most people wonder about sound isolation is how important it is to the over quality of the home theater experience. Many others may feel that sound isolation is necessary to keep their theater from affecting other people in the home or in neighboring residences. The basic answer regarding the importance of sound isolation can be summed up in a two-fold response and is directly affected by specific circumstances involving the home theater itself.
Sound isolation can be very important, depending upon the home theater’s relative circumstances. There are two aspects to sound isolation. The first aspect to sound isolation involves the containing of the sounds in the theater, directly relating to the projection of sound to neighbors or family members in another part of the residence. The reasons for containing the sounds of the theater are as varied as theater owners themselves, but the end result is basically the same. Another aspect of sound isolation is keeping unwanted outside sounds from entering the internal theater. Perhaps the neighbors are hosting an outdoor barbecue or the theater owner lives in a high-traffic area. The prevention of outside sounds from penetrating the theater is imperative to maximizing the home theater experience. Although often a second thought to the creation of a home theater, sound isolation is an area in which much care and thought is required.
True isolation is what many in the business call “sound proofing.” In most cases, regardless of what steps are taken to “sound proof” a home theater, there is always some level of sound penetration. For example, low frequencies, or bass frequencies, are the hardest to contain. There are many options that are available to diminish low frequency sounds as much as possible, but the steps needed for successful sound proofing can be very expensive. What most theater owners opt for is to take a practical approach to the sound isolation process. Many sound isolation designs, particularly those that are created as a new construction – as in a basement or finishing an attic for a theater –employ some fairly simple practices that work very well in diminishing the transmission of the sound without getting too elaborate and too expensive. One important point to remember is that sound isolation does not guarantee sound quality. Sound isolation and sound quality are two separate concepts that are created and affected by different environmental influences.
Sound isolation and sound quality are not synonymous and should not be treated as the same process. Although sound isolation through the addition of absorptive materials will naturally help to improve sound quality, the addition of acoustical treatments and the reduction of reflective surfaces in the home theater are needed to improve sound quality. Sound isolation will provide home theater owners one step they need for an overall positive home theater experience. The installation of insulation, inclusion of fabrics, and placement of speakers all affect sound isolation resulting in the maximum home theater experience.
