New Home Ht Room

[50mxe20]

We are thinking seriously about a move to a new house on a block where there is a bit more space (to get out of suburbia).

One of the criteria of a new home is that it needs to have, or have the potential for an HT room.

But so often the dimensions of the so called HT rooms as advertised by the real estate agents is so sadly lacking.

The seating is up against one wall with the screen on the opposite wall. Barely adequate for 5.1 and totally impossible for 7.1 (or more).

On Sunday we drifted down to look at a bunch of display homes to get ideas about painting the walls of our current house.

Same thing, so called HT rooms (really just what everyone used to call a lounge room), are totally inadequate and not really suitable at all.

Even houses with 5 - 6 metre rooms that would be ideal for 4 metre viewing with speakers to the sides and rear still insist on having the furniture against the far walls. Very annoying.

One way out of the dilemma, I guess is to have the HT room open into some other part of the living area so that rears could go there. I've seen that in some set-ups on the forum.

So, what do people look for when buying a new home and want to plan for 7.1? I know we talk about golden ratios of dimensions but what are the ideal 'realistic' room sizes in houses and why don't builders cater for this?

A frustrated house hunter.

[Thudd1503560234]

that's because current project home builders have just taken the old formal lounge, which they've discovered nobody wants any more, and called it a home theatre. Or they've found an area in their plans they can partially wall off, and designated that the 'home theatre'. They've got no idea of course what a proper room requires, or even a partially decent room, but hey, they can add "home theatre" to the list of features!

Why can't you just move their idea of furniture to your idea? Just because they set a room up with the furniture on the end doesn't mean you have to

[Spearmint]

You’ll also notice its all about the visual wow factor, the audio in most cases is crap. They have found an awful lot of people just want the plasma on the wall, or the projector and screen, and that’s it. So long as they can watch a movie or TV and either use those miniature HTIB speakers or in wall/ceiling for the nice clean look then that’s what sells.

However if you’re after something different be prepared to pay, the basic house design is usually reasonably priced, start making changes and watch the dollars climb.

[Guest EZYHD]

You could alway instal a soffit (bulkhead) and put put in builtins for rears.

[ldu]

We are currently going through the planning stages of building a custom house design.

Whilst I have been able to snag a HT room I am not sure I wanted a room that was perfect for HT alone - ie dark room, few windows, sound isolation etc. Furthermore the resale value MAY be affected by either someone really looking for a house with a HT or on the other hand someone would see a very dark, boxed in room that they couldnt use for anything.

Most people end up in some sort of compromise between 'open plan' living and a HT room.

[byte-me]

I think to be honest is that true HT is really for the enthusiast and not the general population so there may be a ratio of one house in every thousand that would have a room setup with pure HT in mind.

Also it would be considered a added luxury and not the norm in house design.

These days more and more people are getting into HT but the housing industry just has not caught up yet, and in a few years time I think we will see more and more houses designed with real HT rooms.

Think back a few years when it was considered that having a pool put you in the well off class.

Now days probably half the people that own them do not use them.

Another factor to consider is that land is being subdivided, so small 3 bedroom, maybe 4 bedroom lowset brick houses are being designed to cram into 500 square blocks with little room for a decent sized bathroom and kitchen let alone a dedicated theatre room.

In my opinion a true enthusiast would be hard pressed to find a home that would have a room worthy of Ht dedication without the need for renovations or extensions unless they found a house that was already done by a fellow enthusiast which as I said would be almost impossible to find.

Home's that do have this kind of room will be larger homes on bigger blocks in upperclass areas and carry the appropriate price tag, so it is kind of a no win for the entyhusiast at the moment.

[fawlty99]

Most people in average sized rooms don't want to lose the living space & so have the chairs against the back wall. In wall/ceiling speakers for the rears can help as a compromise.

[betty boop]

hi lyle, when we were lookign for a place all the 'ht rooms' that builders had tacked on I too found quite innapropriate.

personally I couldnt believe the amount of house designs that we came across with 'rumpus rooms' 'family rooms' this room that room. when all we wanted was a house with a few bedrooms a lounge and a dining. who needs all these different rooms ?

Basically the way I saw it a few choices, find a place with a lounge room etc that would fit a ht/music system in(thats what we did, not to say it doesnt have its own compromises). Alternatively look and keep searchign till you find a house with a room you can convert. or lastly which is the option most take is build from scratch to incorporate what you want or add on what you want in regards the room to meet your needs.

[50mxe20]

Why can't you just move their idea of furniture to your idea? Just because they set a room up with the furniture on the end doesn't mean you have to

Yes, that's fine if the room is long enough. Only one display house we looked at with a HT room had the potential for that. (Surprise, surprise, it actually had a projector set-up and was running LOTR when we walked through - it was the only house where I actually sat down for a minute!!)

Thudd, I know (or think) you are building. What are the dimensions of your new HT room. Knowing you I suspect you've given it a fair bit of thought.

[JoshH]

Also.. builders have NO clue about how to design a theatre - NO CLUE. They just design and build to 'sell'.

They think everyone wants an open plan room with lots of glass.... *shakes head*

Your only chance of getting a house with a truly dedicated room is to employ an architect or draftsman or 'seriously' modify a spec. builder.

[50mxe20]

Also.. builders have NO clue about how to design a theatre - NO CLUE. They just design and build to 'sell'.

They think everyone wants an open plan room with lots of glass.... *shakes head*

Yes, that was my other major complaint that I forgot to mention.

[Spearmint]

I’m not sure about house designs in the west, but there are a few group builders in Vic that are incorporating a reasonable sized rumpus/HT room.

There are a couple of members here that I know who have built a couple of these homes, and they have IMO an excellent HT/ 2ch listening room.

[50mxe20]

I'm not sure about house designs in the west, but there are a few group builders in Vic that are incorporating a reasonable sized rumpus/HT room.

There are a couple of members here that I know who have built a couple of these homes, and they have IMO an excellent HT/ 2ch listening room.

It would be interesting to see the floor plans.

[Foggy]

If you're looking at some acreage Lyle, then perhaps you should consider a separate building for a HT. That would give you the ultimate no-compromise solution.... and can have many other uses if someone doesn't want it as a HT.

[yamapro]

Totally agree with the frustrations here BUT you have to understand builders build what they can sell in volume. It's how they make a profit and stay in business. Working in the construction industry myself i can tell you how frustrating it is but builders are builders and HT Enthusiasts are HT Enthusiasts and sadly there is little overlap.

That being said if you look beyond the bulk 'project' builders (100s or 1000s of homes a year) and go to the smaller guys they normally have far more scope to fit in your dreams and aspirations Many of the smaller guys will work to your own drawings or happily modify there own and many are happy to build up to a certain 'stage' allowing you to finish off the project yourself....

Yep it all means we have to be a little more creative and adventurous but that's what makes us enthusiasts in the first place

[50mxe20]

If you're looking at some acreage Lyle, then perhaps you should consider a separate building for a HT. That would give you the ultimate no-compromise solution.... and can have many other uses if someone doesn't want it as a HT.

Yes, I agree that is possibly the best option of all my ideas to date. Might be room for a pool table too. And a place for an outside shower next to the pool.

My first post was more of a rhetorical rant.

I didn't expect a definitive answer.

I'm enjoying the discussion though.

[Spearmint]

My only gripe with a separate building for the HT is that you are separated from the hub of the house, very easy to become alienated from the family. I personally prefer the HT room to be in close proximity to the hub.

[50mxe20]

My only gripe with a separate building for the HT is that you are separated from the hub of the house, very easy to become alienated from the family. I personally prefer the HT room to be in close proximity to the hub.

And security becomes an extra issue, as does insurance.

[glennb]

We had our home designed by an Architect to our requirements, and although we had a look at a lot of display homes for ideas, it ended up being perfect for our needs.

My HT room was actually a lounge room that we don't use and that I pre-wired. I knew nothing about HT at the time of construction though (6 years ago) but by luck it's actually turned out ok.

Anyway, i'd highly recommend getting an Architect to do your design for you rather than just going from the bulk floorplans. You can give them floorplans of design elements you like (ie, this ensuite here, that kitchen there, etc), and you will be much happier with the end result.

You can also negotiate with them to leave a room unfinished (frame work only) and then get some professionals in to finish it off. That way you won't be stuck with a big rectangular room that doesn't have any sound proofing.

[Foggy]

My only gripe with a separate building for the HT is that you are separated from the hub of the house, very easy to become alienated from the family. I personally prefer the HT room to be in close proximity to the hub.

You say that like it's a bad thing Spearmint A man's gotta have his shed

And as far as security goes Lyle, If you had a double block/hebel construction with no windows and one very solid entry door, I doubt that it could get much more secure than that!!

As far as insurance goes, I think if you have a covered walkway linking it to the house, then it technically counts as part of the house, so no extra premium required on the policy.

[yamapro]

If you're looking at some acreage Lyle, then perhaps you should consider a separate building for a HT. That would give you the ultimate no-compromise solution.... and can have many other uses if someone doesn't want it as a HT.

This is a great idea... It's generally quite cheap to build a big ass shed! (relative to masonry construction and homes etc)

And then you can add walls anywhere you want, (even make it all nice and non parallel!) line it all with as much or little attention to acoustic transmission as you desire and incorporate a bar, pool room or anything else etc...

It's actually something i long to do one day when i move up to decent property in the hills (ahh dreams sweet dreams )

[Spearmint]

You say that like it's a bad thing Spearmint A man's gotta have his shed

Very true…we all must have a place we can call our own (yeah right) :ph34r: , I’ve got kids.

[50mxe20]

Very true…we all must have a place we can call our own (yeah right) :ph34r: , I've got kids.

Me too. But the last one's at Uni so ............

we can start to dream again.

[quijibo]

It would be interesting to know how many people have a dedicated home theatre room, or one that is more multi-purpose. Is there a poll? Someone should start one.

Having young kids and no other spare rooms means that my room which is 6mx4.5 is used as a rumpus room/gym/theatre.

The room has to fit in a fiarly large home gym, which fits nicely in one corner and the room needs to be kid friendly with lots of space so they can mess it up with all their toys.

The theatre is set up on the short side, meaning 4m long, which is really plenty, but the chairs are against the back wall. I'd love to go long ways but the entry to the room and access to outside is via doors on the walls on both long ends.

As for 7.1... Well I've only got a 5.1 amp, but I have been contemplating having the rears moved forward and hanging some extra bookshelf speakers from the ceiling.

I guess do I really need 7.1? I havent heard anyone say it really gives that much of a greater impact anyway. Anyone care to offer a different opinion?

[zorg1503559539]

If you get creative a do a decent design it can still be a multi puprose room ie ours has 3 x small windows at the back which let in enough light during the day for it to be used as rumpus etc and with sliding doors that you can open up..