Electronic House

With an emphasis on its 7.2.4-channel sound system that centers on Dynaudio loudspeakers, SentimentHiFi delivered a theater room that also adhered to CEDIA standards and met tight deadlines, according to CEO GuangYu Feng. At the very beginning, we recommended the Dynaudio custom system to the client and we told him: When you invest in a Dynaudio custom system, you’re investing in a hi-fi system with heritage … 40 years of audio expertise, harnessing the same core technology, craftsmanship and fanatical attention to detail,” Feng recalls. A/V. This gorgeous theater room is a prime example of the combined efforts among theater designer, tech systems designer/installer and tech enthusiast client that had a pretty good sense of what he envisioned for a “contemporary classic” space to entertain friends, family and especially grandchildren, says Lifestyle Solutions president Behzad Sarwar. Just as important to the A/V experience was implementing sound isolation, which in this case meant walls and ceiling were all insulated and decoupled using two layers of sheetrock sandwiching a layer of Green Glue, Sarwar explains.

Duggan notes the Erskine acoustic requirements behind the stretch fabric system were rigorous and included: sound isolation clips, hat channel, two layers of 5/8-inch drywall with Green Glue between, 50-year caulk to the bottom of the base plates, acoustic matting, 6-mil plastic lining the seating platform and stage, and all cavities filled with sand. Once in the 960-square-foot room, guests find a fairytale-like setting full of whimsical animal portraits in gilded frames against opulent wallpaper, anchored by the pewter carpeting that twinkles with metallic silver threads. Rather than wrapping the walls in stretch fabric as is typical in many theaters, the interior designer specified wallpaper, so we had to come up with an innovative solution that would satisfy the designer’s vision while meeting the acoustical needs of the space,” relates Osbee marketing director Karen Rusch. Several rounds of testing achieved the right balance, Rusch explains, and Osbee then hung the wallpaper on specially fabricated, perforated wallboards incorporated with the absorbers and diffusers of a Kinetics Noise Control system.

For this project that Rich AV Design outfitted on New York City’s Upper West Side, the owner had purchased three units for renovation into one and wanted a Savant system solution similar to the one in family’s existing home, only with some extra technology. Ketra automatically adjusts color temperature according to outside light to regulate the family’s circadian rhythm, Rich explains, like blue hues enabling natural relaxation; also, Ketra brings stylistic benefits, like the 2,000 color-changing LEDs that create art in the grand foyer. In the home theater — which includes Sony projector, Seymour screen, Klipsch speakers and Kaleidescape server — the drapery gray blackout fabric shades ensure the darkest viewing environment. The master suite includes a 75-inch ceiling-stowed TV, and Origin Acoustics in-ceiling speakers and Sony TV in the master bath.

Truly coveted pieces included the TVs, for which Savant and Just Add Power products were integrated to facilitate housewide A/V distribution to new Sony 4K models plus 198-inch projection system in the impressive theater. There’s viewing options in the master bedroom with a swing-out mounted TV recessed into the stone fireplace as part of collaboration with builder Tree Haven Homes; multiple TVs in the gym, kids rec room and outdoor space; and accommodations for golf simulator room to come. Adhering to the owners’ request for minimal and unobtrusive quantity of devices but robust functionality, ACT implemented RTI controls and Lutron lighting systems, while whole-house A/V features sleek LG OLED TVs and visually pleasing architectural speakers from Sonance. Seamless finishes came in the form of integrated step lights, outdoor speakers and cameras flush mounted with the architectural trim work, automated home cinema seating, automated fireplaces, hidden subwoofers and even custom speaker enclosures that flush mounted to the interior trim work to cover the side profile of the display installations,” says Eden.