The home theater in the basement of this Monroe, NJ, residence was not quite what the homeowner had originally envisioned. When the client talked to system designer and installer Allwired Technologies and heard that the plans were nearing a $100,000 job, he realized it was a bit over budget—$55,000 over. He ended up with a pretty good plan B theater, though.
Not only was Allwired on a tight budget to stay under $45,000, it was on a tight schedule, too: The couple, which had recently relocated from Canada, had twins on the way.
“Even though they were having the babies, he also wanted an ultimate bachelor pad in the basement,” says Bob Smith of Allwired. “The basement is 100 percent his, and I think he’s proud of getting a competitive home theater without blowing the bank on it.” Smith adds that the homeowner enjoys letting Allwired use the theater as a showcase for other potential clients who are seeking to remodel their basements at a similar price range.
A 123-inch Stewart Firehawk screen and Optoma high-definition DLP projector provide the video, while recessed and hidden Boston Acoustics speakers and Sunfire subwoofers let the sound flow. Recessed behind a two-piece custom grille, left, center and right speakers and two subs were laid across the area below the Firehawk screen, allowing for some extra depth to the theater display wall.
Smith says the homeowner pored over magazines searching for ideas for the room’s appearance and ended up with a look that incorporated his own tastes, especially when it came to choosing the carpet, seating and wall color. Seating for 11 was provided by Beech, and Allwired installed a dry bar behind the second row of theater seating in front of a last-row set of bar stools.
When dad wants some time to himself or wants to invite a few buddies over to hang out after the babies are asleep, he can head into the theater—or one of the basement’s other attractions that make it a great getaway, like the billiards table, full wet bar, arcade games and workout room. When he wants to show movies to a group, it begins with a true cinema feel. A touchpanel setting for INTRO dims the lights and cues a secondary DVD player, whose only job is to run a “Welcome to Our Theater” on-screen introduction.
Acoustic treatment features Green Glue soundproofing material sandwiched between two layers of 5/8-inch Sheetrock, spray foam insulation behind the wall, a solid-core raised-panel door and rerouted HVAC ductwork. That way, when mom is feeding the babies in the kitchen directly above dad’s home theater, he can crank the volume to room-shaking levels and not worry about the twins falling out of their high chairs.
EQUIPMENT LIST
SYSTEMS DESIGN & INSTALLATION
Allwired Technologies
Lakewood, NJ
732-370-1914
www.allwiredtechnology.com
Budget? I make the amount of salary to have this built , but using budget in this seems a little delusional at best .
I thought he might have did this himself and for about 10k,
But this isn’t true “budget” theater. He did have someone create the budget. Not a real world one though.
Even when I was a bachelor and had this type of cashto spend on a theater I wouldn’t have , and this guy is expecting twins and his wife didn’t care ,, haha,, this is a bull, I am wondering what he bought her to put around her neck and finger to balance this off.
There are $15,000 in couches in that room. There is no way the rest cost $30k. $1200 in subs, at least $2400 in speakers, Now we are at 27k left and havent touched the room...1k for proj, 2k for screen, we are now at 24k left for the room and haven’t touched treatments, flooring, lighting. This is a bunch of #### and no-one should believe it. he lied to his wife and this site bought the load. This room costs way more than 45k, sorry. Maybe 45k for the walls, ceiling, lighting and flooring...the furniture and equipment was probably a separate budget.
I have no problem with the amount that someone would spend on their house for entertainment purposes. Besides an average in-ground backyard pool will set you back about 20-30 grand. I just felt the title was a bit false compared to the article.
seriously guys, “budget” is a matter of perspective. the budget for an F16 is crazy by most standards, but apparently not in military circles. 45k for a home theater of this size and quality doesn’t strike me as unusual. i mean, a decent car will cost you that and i know i would prefer to sit in those chairs than in some average sedan. i agree that for the “working stiff” this kinda money can make your head spin, but this owner isn’t in that guy and so, he can spend it and enjoy it… and i hope he does.
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This is nice and clean. Simple design but with elegance.
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I am a huge fan of Boston Acoustic’s speaker’s, and I am an audiophile. Thier sound work’s for me. First, the VRB is not a “floorstander”. It is a bookshelf speaker. It does have the excellent VR tweeter, and as such put’s out some great sound, but it is at the bottom of the food chain in the VR line. Now the surrounds he chose-the Dsi line-those are Boston’s entry level speaker’s and use the Kortec tweeter-which means that his theatre is not tonally matched. 2 completely different tweeter’s.
If he really wanted to do it right, and on the cheap, he could have picked up much better speaker’s from Boston on ebay, or even at onecall on clearance. I just picked up 3 BT1’s , which is one of the most amazing speaker’s you will ever hear (but you gotta hurry as they are being discontinued), on ebay BRAND NEW SEALED for $250 each-half what he paid for the entry level VRB speaker (assuming he paid the $500 MSRP).The BT1 retails for $1000 each. Although the VRB he chose is tolerable, I would have never put the Dsi line in a home theatre-or anywhere else for that matter. He could have picked up a VR in wall for half off MSRP on ebay or at one of the “unauthorized” dealer’s on the internet. Bottom line, if he loves The Boston Sound as much I do, he could have done much better for the same money.
And please don’t tell me I’m not an audiophile if I like Boston. I also have the Fathom F113 sub, a $3,000 CD player, a Blu-Ray and HD DVD player, a $2000 reciever, 58” Panasonic plasma, etc. etc. etc.