Last Updated on October 2, 2021 by Sean Donlevy
Many people dream of someday getting their own home cinema. Unfortunately, for most people, that dream never become a reality. This is because different things usually stand in the way, not least the cost and the lack of space.
In addition, there is so much to think about that it can be difficult to know where to start. With proper planning, the likelihood of achieving a really good result with your home cinema increases, no matter how big a budget you have to work with. Below we will take a closer look at how you go about getting started on your project.
Why build a home theater?
In a movie theater, it is obvious that both image and acoustics have been carefully planned for the optimal possible experience.
The same benefits can be achieved in your own home, which has the ability to do wonders for the overall cinematic experience. Here are some of the best reasons for creating your very own home cinema for the best possible movie experience.
You can control the sound. With the help of so-called absorbents, it is possible to ensure that the sound does not get free space. Sound bouncing in the room tends to cause various disruptive effects.
For example, thick fabric can be used. The result is a cleaner sound that will be a joy to listen to.
In a movie theater, there are no windows or other types of incident light. There is a risk that light will create reflections on the screen or otherwise interfere with the movie experience. This does not necessarily mean that the room must be completely dark, but in your own cinema room, you have the chance to limit the inflow of light, which allows you, for example, to use a large projector.
Something that should not be underestimated is the ambiance and atmosphere of the room. With high-quality picture and sound and maybe some popcorn, it becomes like watching a movie for real, in the cinema. Even though you sit comfortably in your own home. You can experiment with different types of equipment and make it an exciting hobby.
How to plan your home theater
Start by thinking about how the room should be used. Is the idea just to watch a movie, or do you want it to also function as a living room where you can, for example, play social games with your family? Once you have created a good idea of what activities you want to be able to do in the room, it is time to start planning. Everything does not have to be done at once, but do not be afraid to design the room in stages. However, it is important to keep the end result in mind at all times. Some things you don’t want to come up with afterward.
All projects are unique, but some things that are always crucial are adequate ventilation and sound insulation. Where speakers and lighting should be placed is also important, as is the wiring. Use too much cable rather than too little.
Interior and design
Many people choose to decorate their home theater according to a certain color or theme and with attractive cinema sofas. The personal taste is decisive and everything is really about being comfortable in the room and preferably sitting comfortably when enjoying different movie or music experiences.
The advantage of making the choice at an early stage is that the room is given the chance to follow a clear style and theme. It gives a well thought out, professional impression where the feeling is that everything fits together. Avoid blending too many different colors and styles.
Don’t forget the practical aspects. Your home theater should preferably be easily cleaned. It can also be an advantage if it is relatively easy to replace speakers or other equipment, which is a good argument against building things into the walls. On the other hand, many people find it more attractive to hide both speakers and cables in the room. Others make a kind of compromise where they try to hide the least attractive products, and maybe leave nicely designed products fully visible. Lighting must also be taken into account, especially in a dark room with no windows. If the resources are available, a tip is to let the lighting be controlled with a remote control. It can be integrated into the same control system as the other equipment to get a more exclusive cinema feel.
Tips for choosing a home cinema
Here, most of it is about how much you are willing to invest.
If you want a really pure and realistic movie sound, it is not wrong to invest in well-known brands from companies that specialize in movie sound. Few systems are capable of delivering faithful and powerful sound for movies. They are adapted for cinema rooms, which should preferably be equipped with a sound-transparent cloth and a so-called baffle wall. The idea behind a baffle wall is that the entire wall should be a kind of extension of the speaker and avoid the front wall giving the first reflection. You can also invest in multi-channel hi-fi. For hi-fi speakers, the same strict standard is not available. Instead, it becomes a bit more subjective where you as a listener decide for yourself what you prefer. The acoustics in the room should then be adjusted depending on which system is selected.
Consider acoustics
Good acoustics are the key to a really good home theater. Two important factors are the dimensions of the room and the materials used for the construction itself, such as concrete, or wood. These provide the basic prerequisites that you must adhere to. In this area, some experience is required to achieve a really good result. As an amateur, you sometimes have to be prepared to try it out. Again, each home theater is unique and there is no right or wrong. What one can think of is the overall balance.
A common beginner’s mistake is that the base either takes over completely or that it becomes far too weak. Don’t worry if the room does not get perfect from the start. The methods you can work with are diffusion and damping. Curtains of thick fabric or specially designed sound absorbers can be installed in the room to avoid excessive sound reflexes.
Summary
What is listed here is more of the basics that you need to consider in order to succeed with your home cinema. Depending on your budget and your own circumstances, you will have to make different adjustments. It is also not wrong to employ experts in the field who can provide inspiration and recommend specific products. Succeeding in acoustics is one of the biggest challenges.
Finally, you should also keep in mind that the sound volume is often high in a cinema room. Therefore, it is always a good idea to insulate sound as much as possible. Then you do not disturb other members of the household or any neighbors to the same extent. Let your project take the time required and think about spending enough time planning before you start making different purchases.