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When I first planned my home theater during renovation in 2013, we didn’t have today’s convenient technologies like Wi-Fi or micro-casting. We had to plan everything carefully, including the layout and video wall design. The goal was to create a private cinema experience at home.
After renovation, my husband even went to a private movie theater in a coastal city to check out their setup and said that our home setup was better than theirs.
My living room is 6 meters long and 5 meters wide, with no corners or square angles. At first, I was concerned about noise from the TV wall, so the designer suggested soundproofing panels. However, the cost exceeded our budget. Fortunately, since there were no neighbors around, and the floor insulation was good, we didn’t need additional soundproofing.
If your home has poor soundproofing, consider adding it, but it can be expensive. A half-installation approach might be better, such as using wooden noise barriers, which are both functional and stylish.
There's now an easy-to-use soundproof felt that can be applied directly.
Due to the size of the space, capturing the overall look of the home theater in the living room wasn't straightforward.
TV Wall:
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/06/7d/f6/90bd9d9fd76cc0bde6feb11f7a.jpg]
Projector:
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/11/ae/b5/706ee5cd3a225cf0bbed36c6ed.jpg]
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/5e/81/8f/9c6c0a903449a0209905d4f9fc.jpg]
Overall rendering with software:
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/cc/80/3e/09d777e6351cbbe0603c12c98d.jpg]
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/f4/37/ac/0320cd37523e5ebe58b8d00e49.jpg]
The network setup is simple, supporting both projection and TV modes. Most of the time, the TV is used for convenience, paired with a Mi Box. When watching movies or playing games, the projector is used for a more immersive experience. This setup offers flexibility with screen choices.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/62/63/2e/c236fd9c541d4efd51dbacf95c.jpg]
During renovation, wiring was pre-installed, and the TV cabinet had 10 outlets. We chose ABB sockets with switches for convenience. It's recommended to choose sockets with switches for easier power management.
TV Wall Decoration:
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/43/0a/9a/283098dc09b695a94409f89ee6.jpg]
In daily use, one thing to improve is the placement of the TV wall, which is partially blocked by the TV cabinet, making it less aesthetic. Also, having too many visible sockets isn't ideal. To save energy, it's better to turn off devices after use, but the deep sockets make this inconvenient. It would be better to only block the sockets for the equipment above the TV cabinet, making it easier to manage power.
Surround Speaker Decoration:
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/24/ec/ec/0023c29b08be21a10612d929bb.jpg]
Some people suggested that the speaker placement is too high and should be at ear level. This relates to the furniture layout in the living room, which is open and includes a dining area.
Since the wiring was planned in advance, HDMI cables and surround speaker lines were embedded during construction. The speaker cable was bought locally (Huamin 4m²), while the HDMI cable was from Lao Chen's family. The installation was good, and the line is sturdy, but care must be taken when bending it—avoid 90-degree turns.
The sofa was chosen from Taobao, featuring a solid wood design that looks elegant and provides enough space for the TV cabinet. The corner design uses iron triangles to prevent wood swelling.
The TV cabinet size was selected based on the depth of the equipment and the length of the arrangement. It's important to choose a cabinet that fits all the equipment without overcrowding.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/97/42/4b/a4511d25d4aa07520b71920d7f.jpg]
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/3a/d5/e1/48db834598230b072c8a2b6d39.jpg]
One of the Sony TVs we used is now discontinued due to its excellent price-performance ratio. It's not just a TV; it's a home theater.
What is the front-end?
The front-end acts as the processing center for all video and audio signals. From the network topology, it connects all devices except the speakers.
I chose the Onkyo 5509, which supports 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, making it easy to connect the projector and TV simultaneously. It's THX Ultra2 Plus certified and uses Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for room acoustic correction. The rear interface is comprehensive, and the balanced output provides a cleaner signal. After Audyssey calibration, the results are quite satisfying, though it doesn't support AirPlay, only DLNA.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/27/59/d7/c108b424e5883e2542abfd4351.jpg]
The ventilation at the top is designed, but the heat issue remains a problem.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/f6/fd/76/955c344aaec5732f289dd45996.jpg]
Opening the cover reveals many features inside.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/44/92/17/815cdf29d7c0096e1b36c202f8.jpg]
The back panel is very busy.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/d9/50/b9/0ad8b8781c5580d137160deb82.jpg]
There's also a large remote control, much bigger than the Mi Box.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/26/f5/28/2b7065acd8ba4ffaec5ad371ac.jpg]
However, I don’t recommend this model because I've had two repair experiences, which were costly and frustrating. According to the technician, after these repairs, it should last a long time, but the model is known for overheating. It's best to visit a store to test the cooling performance and check forums for maintenance rates.
Currently, Onkyo has a model that looks high-end, but we haven’t tried it yet.
What is the rear?
The rear stage is responsible for amplifying the signal from the previous stage.
While there are pre- and post-class systems, a combined amplifier may not offer the same quality. Choose based on your needs.
I chose the domestic-made Supersonic HD5200 for its affordability and low heat output, making it suitable for placement under the TV cabinet. Each channel has an independent driver, and the sound is loud and clear, providing a good movie-watching experience. For music lovers, a better rear stage is recommended.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/59/c1/05/810d56df495ee0ceefa3b8a4ea.jpg]
Six indicators AMP1 to AMP6, one standby button, and a simple panel. A red light indicates an error, while green means everything is normal.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/72/c7/51/d4d18c67c9e843887d6ff9364c.jpg]
The Blu-ray player chosen is the OPPO 103D, well-regarded among enthusiasts. It plays Blu-ray discs without watermarks, supports USB and MHL/HDMI inputs, and handles 3D and 4Kx2K. It also supports the Blu-ray directory, offering a great user experience.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/60/7f/53/ba6d509e6c4286e925f9968037.jpg]
It also has an HDMI input, which can function as a Darbee processor, saving money compared to buying a separate unit.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/08/25/ac/dd79d13e8493edc0880dba5de2.jpg]
The subwoofer is placed on the left side of the TV cabinet, enhancing the corner effect. It was chosen as a closed-box system with two 12-inch woofers and a 250W D-class amplifier. While it's fast and deep, it lacks some bass presence, but it still delivers a strong impact during action movies.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/4c/8c/c8/d18d4442b8e9a2827e8da8ac77.jpg]
The curtain is crucial for the projection experience. A 110-inch cordage screen was purchased locally. Since the walls are not dark, and the living room connects to the balcony, the shade isn't perfect. A gray screen was chosen to improve contrast. Using a color meter helps achieve the best visual result. Sockets for the screen were reserved, and the location is a drop-down design that hides objects like the TV cabinet and subwoofer.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/96/cd/e9/3d0000a2fcf840ee7153af34d4.jpg]
Arc curtains are popular, but I haven't experienced them yet.
There are many TVs in front, and the number of major equipment is extensive, with other game consoles not listed. Remote controls should have backlighting for easier operation in the dark. The back also includes projectors and TV remotes.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/08/3b/93/058cc385a092c7c.jpg]
The projector selected is the Optoma HD82, a flagship model from 2009. It lacks 3D support and has an older HDMI 1.3 port with only 1300 lumens brightness. It's a telephoto projector, suitable for projecting 100 inches at 3.3–5 meters. Although it's an older model, it still delivers decent 2D image quality.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/a9/9d/74/740ce79e05d576bb35fa30b130.jpg]
Originally, the projector was supposed to be mounted on a wall, but the wall was made of hollow bricks, which couldn't hold the weight. The bolt pulled out, causing damage. The wall was painted, so it wasn't worth redoing.
The projector's HDMI cable is visible. It's better to hide the cable when mounting on the wall. Hanging it from the ceiling makes the cable longer.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/c4/5b/ff/712eca9f20a1d457dc42d65fc4.jpg]
After revising the plan, the projector was mounted on the ceiling instead of the wall. The hanger from the US is more expensive but more reliable than cheaper alternatives. It's important to ensure the wall is solid before mounting.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/6b/d3/6e/7f4db890e302a79be4b3afe72a.jpg]
The surround speakers are five in total, chosen from Polk Audio, a U.S. brand. The models include RTI A5, CSI A6, and RTI A3. They feature 6.5-inch woofers and a front-facing guide hole. These speakers are affordable and provide good sound quality.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/a4/d9/b8/14b7c7067415bca85a4dae24fe.jpg]
Two front speakers with a remote control box on top.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/62/5e/8a/f776c3ef3952c96fb146d898c5.jpg]
One middle speaker is placed in the center of the TV cabinet.
The guide hole needs attention. If placed at the back, the speaker should be 40–50 cm away from the wall. Larger units require more breathing space.
Nakae handles 80% of dialogue and part of the background. The center speaker is actually more important than the main box, but most speaker sets use smaller mid-range units. It's recommended to choose a better center speaker.
After turning off the lights, the curtain frame outside the projection area is completely hidden.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/12/51/9c/a8f73311e99bdd43ad4476d88c.jpg]
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/84/c8/08/dae77513fb083ad4794b1ea7e0.jpg]
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/0a/3a/f1/0761a189c7a20e476369bb3a05.jpg]
Overall, a home theater allows you to enjoy movies without going to the cinema. Unless a new movie is released, you can watch it at home without worrying about disturbances like phone use or people entering and exiting.
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