HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

Podcast #1240: Ara's New Home Design (Network, Smart Home, and AV)

February 13
44 mins

Episode Description

On this week's show we discuss the details of Ara's new home's layout offering his perspectives on his choices for network, home theater, whole home audio and smart home functionality.  We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Ara's New Home Design (Network, Smart Home, and AV)

Last week Ara was out in Franklin TN meeting with electricians and security contractors to prewire his house with everything he needs to make adding smart home devices and A/V a snap. So what did he do? But first an email from longtime listener Jorge Beltran with some recommendations.

Jorge's email 

Guys:

I am listening to the latest episode on a train delay in freezing NJ.  I heard the question about sound bar vs 3.1 system vs full surround.

I advocate that if money permits and a remodel situation allows it, I would significantly recommend trying to install 5.1, 7.2, or you name it.

I have a full theater with 11.2 in the basement that we enjoy and I adore. But we keep watching more and more in the family room next to the kitchen for whatever reason.  And I do enjoy a lot having a surround setup there too and kept adding to it (it was pre wired on a remodel). There was a high WAF in that room, so I went with in-walls for fronts and in-ceiling for rear surround and a couple more for front ATMOS.  Yes, the surrounds and ceiling speakers are not at the ideal locations but they really, really add to the experience, even for the super bowl ambiance.  

A friend of mine just upgraded his whole house and used KEF on-walls, very thin, good looking, placed a bit higher and almost looked like a decoration in a more contemporary home.  The wife gave them a big approval.  I checked after looking at my wife's face but are out of my price range.

For you Ara, another friend, a latin party guy, installed 6 speakers on vaulted ceilings in the family room next to a kitchen and surrounded by windows, and they work really great.

Thus, my vote for Ara is to add ceiling speakers on his vault for surround effects.  Ask the builder to wire them and box them out like a traditional speaker and place them on the rafters.  You build so many speaker boxes already, this one can be made of MDF.  Even better, build your own speaker out of parts, install it on the rafters just below the sheetrock, add a grill and you have the best sounding and looking in-walls ever.

Last one, a builder friend just added in walls / in ceilings that go behind the sheetrock.  I have not seen them yet.  No excuses gents.

Sending a CafPow for the extra spackle.

Jorge

Ara's Setup

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