A Home Theater Is No Small Project. Enjoy the Best-of-the-Best Audio & Video with These Tips.

With more movies being released in 4K and new films available for streaming faster than ever, there’s never been a better time to build a home theater. If you’re ready to upgrade your entertainment with wow-worthy visuals, lighting, and speakers, you can create an experience that outshines the local cinema.

At AUDIOVISIONS, we provide home theater design and installation services across California. If you’re considering a DIY approach, there are many potential missteps to look out for. Make sure you avoid the following theater mistakes in your Orange County home.

Mistake #1 - Skipping Surround Sound

For a truly immersive home theater, surround sound is a must. Some soundbars and flatscreens claim they can produce ‘3D surround sound.’ But there’s no way to recreate the experience of speakers and a subwoofer surrounding the viewers, and you especially can’t fake upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers.

Dolby Atmos surround sound treats each sound like an individual object that moves freely around the room. If horses gallop across the screen, for instance, you’ll hear them travel from one end of the room to another like you’re really in the Wild West. In party scenes, you’ll feel like you’re really in the middle of a crowd.

Mistake #2 - Placing Speakers Inside a Cabinet

While you might want to conceal loudspeakers inside a bookshelf, cabinet, or another piece of furniture, that will distort audio and harm your surround sound quality. When speakers are placed inside a box, it muffles sound and may cause echo. If you want to hide speakers, we recommend in-wall or in-ceiling speakers instead.

Mistake #3 - Choosing a Screen That’s Too Large/Small

Most new home theater owners are so excited about the projector screen that they’ll install one before thinking about seating. But it’s crucial to measure the room’s dimensions first and decide where seats will go for the optimal 15-degree sightline angle.

If your screen is too massive and close to the seats, movies will feel overwhelming and might cause headaches. If you choose a screen that’s too small, you might as well be in the living room. We try to place seats at a distance of three times the screen’s height away, so be sure to make those measurements before purchasing and installing anything.

Mistake #4 - Forgetting to Soundproof

The rest of your household doesn’t want to listen to the booming action scenes and music scores radiating through the house—and you don’t want to hear any outside noises during show time, either. But everyone can enjoy the home theater in peace with soundproofing panels on the door, walls, and ceiling to contain noise. Even if your family is sleeping upstairs, you can turn on the theater and enjoy late-night films without disturbing anyone.

Mistake #5 - Not Hiring a Professional for Help

If you’re handy, you might be fine arranging a projector, screen, speakers, and a receiver on your own. But what about measuring the AV and seating ratios? Or installing soundproofing and acoustic treatments? Do you want smart lighting and shades, or a control system that syncs all your technology? A professional installation handles everything for you, resulting in a polished, attractive interior.

If you’re ready to take the first steps towards a luxury home theater design, contact AUDIOVISIONS in Orange County to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!

5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Home Theater Design