Jean-Brice knows how to combine the useful with the fun. This home theater enthusiast has completely renovated a room in his house to create a 7.2.4-channel private home theater room in collaboration with the Antibes Son-Vidéo.com store. As an air conditioning specialist, he carried out most of the installation work himself, and now uses this room as a showroom to showcase his expertise.
How big is your home theater? And the technical area (electronics)?
This 22m² room features a 7.2.4-channel home theater area with armchairs, and a gaming area with a curved screen. The technical bay (approx. 2m²) is located next to the gaming area, behind the home theater zone, in a ventilated cabinet.
How long did it take you to build the home theater room?
The project lasted several weeks. I was starting from scratch, so I had to think about the entire soundproofing of the room. Taking into account the time it took to decide which equipment to install and the delivery, my private home theater took several months to complete.
Discover a video of Jean-Brice’s room tour!
When did you decide to design a room dedicated to home theater? Why create a personal movie theater?
That’s a good question. I like to watch films in good conditions and this project had been on my mind for a long time. Initially, I started designing a system in my living room by installing a projector. The space in which I finally designed the cinema was supposed to be an office. But I soon realized that my system would have to be perfected, as I watch a lot of movies. Naturally, I revised my plan to set up the private cinema of my dreams in this unoccupied room.
How did you organize the construction work? What was the most challenging part?
I did most of the work myself, occasionally with a little help from one of my employees. Before embarking on this project, I drew up some plans. I also contacted various companies specializing in this type of work. For budgetary reasons, I decided to go it alone, while subcontracting certain stages, such as installing the plasterboard. This step would have taken me too much time to achieve the results I wanted.
One of the most difficult stages of the project was the starry ceiling. It’s a lot trickier than I’d imagined. I watched video tutorials, but had to use several techniques to finally achieve a polished result. I’m very pleased with the final result, and so are the people who have been in the room since then. It was a tricky step, but one that was ultimately achievable with patience and perseverance.
How much of the budget was for the equipment? How much for the construction work?
I think I spent just under €20,000 on audio/video equipment. I didn’t want to overlook the quality of the AV receiver, the beating heart of a home theater system, which I backed up with power amps. I also treated myself to THX-certified Klipsch architectural speakers.
The cost of the work was around €15,000, including all the elements such as seats and carpeting. Excluding labor, I invested around €35,000 in this project.
Can you list the equipment used and tell us why you chose these brands?
- Panasonic DP-UB9000 EG1 4K Blu-ray player
- Marantz SR-8015 AV receiver
- 2 x Atoll MA100 power amps
- AM200 Signature power amplifier
- 2 x Klipsch SPL-150 subwoofers
- 4 x Klipsch THX-8000-S in-wall speakers
- 3 x Klipsch THX-504-L in-wall speakers
- 4 x Klipsch CS-18C Sky Hook in-ceiling speakers
- Hisense ultra-short-throw projector
- ALR screen
Naturally, I turned to Klipsch’s THX range after several tests. I was convinced by their power and precision. The subwoofers deliver phenomenal power!
How do you control the system (applications, universal remote controls, etc.)?
I called in a professional for home automation control using the Crestron system. This system is very versatile, and I find the remote control very cool.
Did you use an acoustic treatment? If not, do you plan to use one in the future?
I opted for an acoustic treatment that I felt was essential to meet my expectations. To achieve this, I installed a 10cm thick layer of wood wool at the front of the room using a wooden frame. I also stretched canvas across all the walls in the room. It took a long time, but I’m very proud of the result. I also opted for a padded door and carpet on the floor. The rest of the space is less acoustically enhanced. In addition to the gaming area, I added furniture and decoration to encourage sound diffraction.
What was the first movie you watched in this room? Which one gave you a taste for home theater?
The first film I watched in my theater was Top Gun: Maverick. A spectacular film, ideal for this type of installation!
My passion for home theater doesn’t stem from any particular film. I first became interested in large screens. In the end, it was the image that led me to understand the importance of the audio system that goes with it, to experience emotions like in the movie theater.
How often do you use this home theater room?
I use my room practically every day. In the evening, I enjoy watching a film in ideal conditions.
Do you watch anything other than movies? Sporting events? Series? Video games? Concerts?
I mainly watch films, but I also enjoy series and play video games. I also watch concerts, mainly by composer Hans Zimmer, whom I consider the best in the world. In Dolby Atmos, it’s a fabulous experience!
How would you like to upgrade your system?
I’d like to replace my projector. I bought it before building the room. That’s why I want to install a new one to match the rest of my home theater system. I think the Sony VPL-XW5000 model was just what I needed, but it was out of my budget at the time. I’d also like to redesign the front stage, repositioning the center speaker and integrating a new, wider screen.
What piece of advice can you give to someone who wants to make a room like this?
It’s essential to think the installation through before starting any building work. Take the time to inform yourself, compare products and take advice from professionals. Being handy is also a real asset, but nothing is impossible if you take your time.
Another key point is air treatment! A ventilation system is compulsory, then there’s air-conditioning and heating. A private home theater room is a totally enclosed space, so this is very important. This aspect must not be underestimated, otherwise you’ll have to start all over again with major renovations when the room is finished…
