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Bronze Winner: Desert Sound & Security
Lights, Camera, Audio!
Behind the rustic looks is a state-of-the-art screening room for a Hollywood producer.
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Bronze Winner: Home Theater $150,000+
May 11, 2011
by Rebecca Day

A top-end home theater is as much about controlling the sound as it is about reproducing the soundtrack the way the director intended. In this premium screening room, Desert Sound & Security of Scottsdale, Ariz., oversaw a project for a movie industry pro who wanted a theater with film-grade performance. This producer/homeowner wanted to view dailies (raw footage) and the final product in the ultimate playback environment—and that’s what he got.

Desert Sound outsourced the acoustical design of the theater to acoustic engineer Evan Reiley, who treated the room down to the pipes and screws. The engineering portion alone tallied six weeks of work—to the tune of about $50,000, with another $18,000 devoted to damping material and absorbers. The owner likes to call it his “million-dollar-theater,” which is appropriate, Miller says, since it “sounds like a million bucks.”

Automated Overture
This theater requires a 45-second warm-up before showtime, so Desert Sound & Security and lighting firm Creative Lighting Design created a pre-theater scene that’s accessible from any AMX touchpanel in the home. While the home theater equipment warms up, lights go to 70 percent and music plays. When the music stops, the homeowners know the movie is ready to start. When they arrive at the theater and hit play on the touchpanel, the lights fade to black and the show begins. After the credits roll, the clients touch theater off and lighting levels slowly rise, while the audio/video gear shuts down. Four minutes later, after the audience has had time to leave, the lights power off automatically.

The room-within-a-room design started at construction, when the concrete basement was poured in this country club home. The floor, ceiling and walls were decoupled from the concrete using polymer sound-damping plywood and drywall that created a suspended inner room with full sound isolation. The treatments also ensured articulate bass response inside the theater by eliminating standing sound waves that cause resonance. Additional sound treatments included a specially designed 500-pound door for sound isolation, Dynamat-wrapped plumbing lines and a seal around the electrical panel. To further minimize noise, the heating and cooling system uses a slow airflow of 200 feet per minute.

The extensive acoustic treatments help the 17 Triad speakers and subwoofers sound their very best. In the front are three speakers and two subwoofers, and two more speakers and subwoofers are hidden behind fabric on each of the left, right and rear walls. The front speakers are precisely placed 547⁄16 inches from the floor and at an angle of 5 degrees.

Desert Sound also built the theater for the long-term, with an oversized 140-inch projection screen that’s ready for future formats. “When we get to 4K x 2K (4096-by-2400-pixel video), the guy can upgrade his projector, and the screen’s already in place,” Miller said. 

System Design & Installation
Desert Sound & Security, Phoenix, Ariz. www.desertsound.com
Acoustical Design
Shen Milsom & Wilke, Ariz.
Architect
Swaback Partners, http://www.swabackpartners.com
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Video sources can handle whatever the audience wants, whether it’s from the Kaleidescape movie library on a hard-disk server, streaming movies from Vudu, stored TV programs on TiVo or high-def discs on the Blu-ray player.

Not even the slightest fan noise was allowed in the room, so the Runco VideoXtreme 3-chip VX-44d DLP projector is positioned outside the theater. “The difference in sound quality is amazing between having that door open and closed,” Miller says. Even the speakers and beams in the room received special sound isolation treatment. Sound isolation clips were used to mount the speakers, and all the wires were clamped down every 16 inches. The seating platforms and the theater’s stage were constructed with perforated Helmholtz resonator bass traps to control the sound.

The result? During the final “rattle test” of a sound check, there wasn’t a buzz to be found. “Everything in that room is solid,” Miller says. EH

 


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Product Specs
ALTRONIX: RBR1224
3) AMSECO INC.: SSX51-SL1B
AMX: ACCESSORIES: AC-RK
4) AMX: Axcess: Axcess Touchpanels Accosories: CB-TP7
AMX: CSG: CSG-500
AMX: MET-ECOM-BK
AMX: NetLinx Control Cards: NXC-COM2
2) AMX: Netlinx Master Controlers: NI-3100
AMX: Netlinx Master Controlers: NI-3101-SIG
AMX: Netlinx Master Controlers: NI-4100
AMX: Netlinx Master Controlers: NI-700
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels Accosories: CB-TP10
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels Accosories: FG2258-46
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels Accosories: FG2259-46
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels Accosories: NXA-CF2NI
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels Accosories: NXA-CV10CF1G
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels: NXD-1000Vi
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels: NXD-700Vi
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels: NXT-1700VG RGB KIT
AMX: NetLinx Touchpanels: NXT-CV10
AMX: ViewStat Communicating Thermost: ENV-VST-C
2) AMX: Power Devices: PSN4.4
3) AMX: Power Devices: PSN6.5
AMX: Remotes 2010: MIO-R4
AMX: Remotes 2010: MIO-R4-CC
AMX: Transmitters and Recievers: MIO-R-4-ZGW
APC: AP9631
APC: APC AV: C2
APC: SUA1500RM2U
2) Audio Authority: 1362
AUDIO CONTROL: Architect Models: Director Model D3200
AUDIO CONTROL: Balanced Extenders Video/Audio: BVD-10
AUDIO CONTROL: Balanced Extenders Video/Audio: BVD-20
AUDIO CONTROL: Balanced Extenders Video/Audio: BVH-20
AUDIO CONTROL: Balanced Extenders Video/Audio: BVR-10
AUDIO CONTROL: Balanced Extenders Video/Audio: BVR-20
AVAD
BAUDCOM: 8653
BROWN WHOLESALE: 22/4 Stranded
3) BROWN WHOLESALE: 24/4PRCAT5E Red 3650MH: 24/4PRCAT-6E
Bryston Amplifiers C Series: 2B-SST
Bryston Amplifiers C Series: 7B-SST
Bryston Multi-Chan Amplifiers C Series: 6B SST
Bryston Multi-Chan Amplifiers C Series: 9B-SST
2) CARLON: DH4X1C 150
2) CARLON: SC100A
CHEMETRONICS: 602
2) COLEMAN: 16/4 Speaker Wire
CONDUIT: Misc. (CED): QT Grey Cement
Custom Install Supply
DBL Bulk: elan-1/500
DOLPHIN: DC1000P
2) ESL: 240-CO
ESL: 429CST
EXTRON: A/V Matrix: MAV Plus 1616 HDA
EXTRON: Adaptors: CSR 6
3) EXTRON: Distribution Amplifiers: RSU 129
EXTRON: MTP T 15HD RS
EXTRON: PS 124
EXTRON: SYM BNCM/3
4) GE: NX-148E
2) GE: NX-216E
GE: NX-320E
GRAYBAR
GRI: Pool Alarms: 289-3
GRI: RARE EARTH MAGNETS: GI-MM400
GRI: RARE EARTH MAGNETS: MM-600
HOLOVISION: 200-PAN-CC
HOLOVISION: 800-S12-PAN-B
6) HOLOVISION: PNS-10
2) HOLOVISION: PNS-100
HONEYWELL 944T-BR
iPort iPort IW Accessories: FS-22
Kaleidescape: KDISK-2000-L
2) Kaleidescape: KPLAYER-300
Kaleidescape: KPLAYER-6000
Kaleidescape: KSERVER-5000
2) Kaleidescape: KSHELF-300
Kaleidescape: KWARR-EXT-DISK
3) LEVITON: 61110-RC6
2) LEVITON: 61110-RL6
LEVITON: 61110-RO6
2) LEVITON: 61110-RV6
2) LEVITON: 61110-RW6
2) LEVITON: 61110-RY6
LEXICON: MC-12B-HD-EQ
LG ELECTRONICS: BluRay DVD Players: BD570
LG ELECTRONICS: LCD's: 32LD450
LG ELECTRONICS: LCD's: 37LD450
LG ELECTRONICS: LCD's: 42LH55
LG ELECTRONICS: LCD's: 55LH55
LG ELECTRONICS: LCD's: 55LH90
LIBERTY WIRE: AXLINK 22/18-1PSH/2C
2) LINKSYS: SGE2010P
LUTRON: COVER PLATES: SC-1
LUTRON: COVER PLATES: SC-2
2) LUTRON: COVER PLATES: SC-3-BI
2) LUTRON: SC-1-BI
LUTRON: SC-1-MN
3) LUTRON: SC-2-BI
3) LUTRON: SC-6PF-BI
LUTRON: SC-6PF-DS
2) LUTRON: SC-6PF-MN
LUTRON: SC-6PF-SW
2) LUTRON: SI0VIA CABLES: SVQ-CBL-250
LUTRON: VIMCO: Shade Pockets
2) Macurco: GD-1S
2) Macurco: GD1SPCPRO
Macurco: GD-2A
MID-ATLANTIC: BR1
MID-ATLANTIC: -C
MID-ATLANTIC: HW500
MID-ATLANTIC: HW500
MID-ATLANTIC: LBP-2A
MID-ATLANTIC: LBP-6A
MID-ATLANTIC: LBP-6A: LBP-4A
MID-ATLANTIC: Rack Shelves: RSH-4S2S
3) MID-ATLANTIC: Rack Shelves: RSH-4S3S
MID-ATLANTIC: TD4
MID-ATLANTIC: TD4LK
2) MID-ATLANTIC: WRK-44-32LRD
MID-ATLANTIC: ACCESSORIES: GANG-10
3) MID-ATLANTIC: Caster Base: CBS-WRK-32R
6) MID-ATLANTIC: CUSTOM RCKMNT: RSH-4S
MID-ATLANTIC: CUSTOM RCKMNT: RSH-4S3R
MID-ATLANTIC: FACEPLATES ONLY: SFACE
MID-ATLANTIC: FACEPLATES ONLY: SFACE
MID-ATLANTIC: LBP-1A
2) MID-ATLANTIC: MEDIA HOLDERS: DVD
MID-ATLANTIC: MEDIA HOLDERS: DVD-P
MID-ATLANTIC: SB1-CP12
MID-ATLANTIC: SB-1-CP12
MID-ATLANTIC: SB2-CP12
MID-ATLANTIC: SB-4-CP6
MID-ATLANTIC: SL-3
MID-ATLANTIC: WRK-44-32
MONSTER CABLE: CP 14-4/500
MONSTER CABLE: CP 14-4/500
MONSTER CABLE: CP 14-4/500
MONSTER CABLE: SPEAKER CABLES: S14-4RCL
NILES AUDIO: IR Sensors: MF1
NILES AUDIO: IR Sensors: MF1VF
NILES AUDIO: IR Sensors: MS220BK
NILES AUDIO: Main Systems: MSU250
NUTONE: 379
NUTONE: 404
NUTONE: CF380
2) NUTONE: CF380-8
NUTONE: CF382
NUTONE: CF382-XS
NUTONE: CF387
OMNIMOUNT 2009
OMNIMOUNT: CL-M
OMNIMOUNT: CL-S
OMNIMOUNT: Tilt Mounts: ULPT-LB
OMNIMOUNT: Tilt Mounts: ULPT-MB
OMNIMOUNT: UCL-X
OMNIMOUNT: UCL-X
OMNIMOUNT: ULPT-X
OMNIMOUNT: ULPT-X
ONQ
PANAMAX: M4-EX
PANAMAX: MOD-AT8110
PANAMAX: MOD-UTP
PANASONIC: 1072163
PANASONIC: CCTV Systems: BB-HCM527A
PANASONIC: CCTV Systems: BB-HCM715
PANASONIC: CCTV Systems: BB-HCS301
PANASONIC: CCTV Systems: BB-HCS301
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCP1170
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCP1172
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCP1180
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCP1180
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCP1190
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCS3504
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-NCS3508
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: KX-TDE0110
PANASONIC: NCP Systems: NCP-Phones: KX-NT343B
PANASONIC: PAPTYST08K
PANASONIC: TDA DIGITAL PHONE SYSTEM: ACCESSORIES: KX-TDA0161
PANASONIC: TDA PBX KSU Systems: TDA WIRELESS PHONES KX-T0155
PANASONIC: TDA PBX KSU Systems: TDA WIRELESS PHONES KX-TD7696
PANASONIC: TDA PBX KSU Systems: Voice Mail: KX-TVA50
PANASONIC: TDA PBX KSU Systems: Voice Mail: KX-TVA594
PANASONIC: Video: TH-50PH12U
PANDUIT: C4LG6
Perdue Acoustics
Pixel
Planet Waves: Connectors: STRCAP50
Planet Waves: Wire: CXSCHD250R
Quiet Solution: QS-350
Rhino: Rhino Labels: 18053
Rhino: Rhino Labels: 18054
Rhino: Rhino Labels: 18056
Rhino: Rhino Labels: 18056
Richard Gray Power Products
Richard Gray Power Products: Power House
Richard Gray Power Products: RGPC Extender IP
ROCKUSTICS: APSS-2
ROCKUSTICS: Econorock
Runco: Projectors: Video Xtreme: VX-44d
RUSSOUND: ST2-XM
5) SCP: 18/4FPLR-500
Screen Research: MCS-4-RS232
Screen Research: X4S-140-178-2W-B-U
5) SENTROL: 5820AW
SENTROL: 6255FM
SENTROL: 6351
SENTROL: 6351
SENTROL: 6351
SONANCE: PBB4
SONANCE: PBB4
SONANCE: SA2
SONANCE: SA2
SONY: BDP-S5000ES
3) SPEAKERCRAFT: AIM IN-CELING 8' SPEAKERS: AIM8 FOUR
SPEAKERCRAFT: AIM IN-CELING 8' SPEAKERS: AIM8 THREE
SPEAKERCRAFT: AIM Speakers: AIM7 Three
SPEAKERCRAFT: DT IN-CEILING SPEAKERS: Aim 7 DT One: AIM 7 DT Three
SPEAKERCRAFT: MT IN-WALL 6' SPEAKERS: MT6 One
SPEAKERCRAFT: MT IN-WALL 8" SPEAKERS: MT8 One
SPEAKERCRAFT: ROUGH IN BRACKETS: BKT90681
SPEAKERCRAFT: WS INDOOR/OUTDOOR SPEAKERS: OE6 Three - B
SurgeX: IControl 1120
SurgeX: SA20
SurgeX: SX1120 RT
SYSTEM SENSOR: BK5602
TERK
2) TiVo: TiVo Premiere XL
TiVo: TiVo HD XL DVR
TOTE VISION: LCD-1560HD
TRIAD SPEAKER: Custom Subwoofers: 1111-5555
TRIAD SPEAKER: Custom Subwoofers: 25009-PMI-1
TRIAD SPEAKER: InRoom Spkrs: Fronts/LCR's: IR Plat LCR B
TRIAD SPEAKER: InRoom Spkrs: Subwoofers: IR Plt PSub B
TRIAD SPEAKER: InRoom Spkrs: Surrounds: OW Slv Sur
TRIAD SPEAKER: InWall Spkrs: Surrounds: OnWall Gold Surround
VACUFLO: 7800
VACUFLO: Accessories: 1247
VACUFLO: Attachment Kits: 7840-30-C
4) VACUFLO: Attachment Kits: 8888
VACUFLO: Canisters: 7000
VACUFLO: Canisters: 7890
VACUFLO: Canisters: 8540
4) VACUFLO: Elbows & Couplers: 5506W
4) VACUFLO: Elbows & Couplers: 5510W
2) VACUFLO: Inlets: 1750-01
Vibrant Technologies: CX-24
Vibrant Technologies: DF-24
4) WINLAND: WB SENSOR
2) Wire: 16/4 Shielded: 16/4 Shielded
Wire: 22/4 Solid
2) Wire: Cat6 Wire: Cat6- Blue
2) Wire: Cat6 Wire: Cat6- Grey
2) Wire: Cat6 Wire: Cat6- White
Wire: Cat6 Wire: Cat6- Yellow
Wire: Cat6 Wire: Cat6-Green

Installation Info
Systems Design & Installation: Desert Sound & Security, Phoenix, Ariz., http://www.desertsound.com
Acoustical Design: Shen Milsom & Wilke, http://www.smwllc.com
Architect: Swaback Partners, http://www.swabackpartners.com
Lighting: Creative Designs in Lighting, Phoenix, Ariz., http://www.cdltg.com

Project Details
Room Size (L x W x H): 28½ x 197⁄10 x 12 feet
Cost: $363,000 (includes installation and labor)
Project Duration: 2 years
Construction: New


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Comment (1)
Posted by Lol.  on  05/06/11  at  10:10 PM

LEXICON: MC-12B-HD-EQ, hahaha, are you kidding? So much for the high end, poor room correction, poor video processing, old DAC’s, and a very short feature list. All this money and so much snake oil, you could have done a better system for a fraction of the price.



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