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We are here to help you make the best decisions on audio/video purchases and design decisions.
Because of our engineering, ISF video calibration and THX audio calibration work
in many homes, post production facilities and commercial venues we are
exposed to a wide range of equipment and know what really delivers value. When you go into a retail store
or work with a custom installer do you really get the help you want or
know if that equipment is really going to meet your needs? We can help you get that home theater experience you are looking for at almost any price point by helping you focus on what is important to you.
It is very common that this service will focus your
budget in areas you may not have considered or save you considerable
expense by focusing on equipment that is less marketing hype and more
performance oriented.
This service is highly customized to your needs and can
include any of the following:
Equipment Selection
Considerations include room size, room lighting, room function seating
requirements, viewing preference (sports, movies, games...), budget,
listening preferences (music, TV, movies), flexibility, automation
needs, sound listening levels,
reliability and aesthetics.
For example if you are not careful you may have a
projector that is too dim or too bright for your application.
Room Acoustics
Your room acoustics design will be based on your
budget and use of the room. The tools that can be used are either
simple calculation methods, 3D computer modeling and/or on site
measurements before and after installation. All designs will have
specified performance characteristics that can be measured. The
design acoustical parameters will be based on desirable room sound
performance characteristics from Dolby and personal experience. Without this you may be installing too much, too
little or the wrong type of sound treatment in your room.
The following is an example of our design
capabilities. This image shows 63Hz room bass response in an
AccuCal room design without any bass traps and a single speaker with
no subwoofer.
The following shows 63Hz room bass modes in what
is considered a golden ratio room design following common design
practices with a single speaker and no subwoofer. Note the lack of uniformity of bass response
in multiple sections of the room. This is what happens in most
home theaters, but it does not have to be the case.
Room Layout
It is important to locate the equipment properly so it
will work as intended. It is also key to know that elements of the room
will not interfere with the picture or sound quality.
Design Review
Even when you hire another person to design your
theater it is valuable to get a second opinion before the theater is
constructed. I have found numerous expensive mistakes with
many other designs that have been corrected in the review stage before the design
was finalized. This process only requires a few hours to complete
and insures your system will function as intended and frequently reduces
the cost as well.
THX Certified Home Theater Technician II -
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