Advice on mini cinema setup for attic room

[barchetta_boy]

Hi everyone,

We are converting our attic to a soundproofed room and I'm looking to kit it out with a decent TV and at least a sound bar, possibly a home cinema system too.

I've attached an architects drawing below showing the plan of the room (ignore the shower room bit, we have decided not to do this so it's just one open room). The blue line shows where the TV will be, under the eaves wall, with the blue box showing roughly where a sofa will be.

There will be a custom unit built into the eaves with a mounting bracket for the tv to enable it pivot out and face into the room more if required.

I think 40" is the right size for the room, and we really bought a really excellent Panasonic 4K 40" set for the main lounge which I'm really happy with, so we might just get another one of those. I need some advice on home cinema systems and soundbars.

I'm assuming there will be a big difference between a sound bar and a proper home cinema system. I need something with small speakers that also play music well. Doesnt need to be Dolby Atmos, maybe even 2.1 would do, although it would be nice to have 5.1 as that's something I've always wanted to try and never had.

Bear in mind that the horizontal lines show where the eaves are at 1m high so space is at a premium, it needs to be compact.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Joel

[R8Steve]

This would be my choice from what you describe - https://www.richersounds.com/tv-home-cinema/home-c...

A very versatile and powerful AV receiver, tiny speakers that give a big sound.

You would be very impressed with this i think.

[henrycrun]

If you have a large slopy wall, maybe consider a projector ?

[schmunk]

henrycrun said:

If you have a large slopy wall, maybe consider a projector ?

And a beanbag to lie on...?

[Steve Campbell]

If you want a "cinema" type experience then a 40" isn't going to give you that. I'm no expert but I have been looking at optimum viewing distances for 4k etc as I've just gone for a 55" screen in my lounge.

This is useful

https://www.avforums.com/article/tv-full-hd-ultra-...

[hyphen]

Steve Campbell said:

If you want a "cinema" type experience then a 40" isn't going to give you that.

It is not a cinema of any sorts, not even a mini. It is a TV room.

If a tv you need 75" minimum for a cinema experience, and even then not perfect. Projector is far easier and cheaper to get maximum screen.

OP, if you are going to the trouble of soundproofing a room then find a way to fit a projector, you don't need a lot of distance to throw a 100"+ image, and also budget for a high quality subwoofer.

With regards to soundbars, they are normally used so living room is wife/child friendly, if it is a dedicated room better to get some speakers and a receiver.

This bloke would not like your 40" tv idea

Pedro Almodovar said:

“It’s the capacity of the hypnosis of the large screen for the viewer. The size [of the screen] should not be smaller than the chair on which you’re sitting. It should not be part of your everyday setting. You must feel small and humble in front of the image that’s here.”

Edited by hyphen on Friday 24th November 18:29

[barchetta_boy]

Er, right my use of the word cinema appears to have thrown people off

It’s not a cinema. Forget cinema, it’s an attic room with a big tv screen (I don’t care what anyone says I grew up in an age where a 25” Trinitron was big!) and I want advice on the best kit.

I want a good screen, which can’t be bigger than 40” and a good AV setup to go with it, bearing in mind room size and the requirement for small speakers.

Thanks for the Denon recco, that is currently the front runner.

Joel

[B17NNS]

barchetta_boy said:

I want a good screen, which can’t be bigger than 40” and a good AV setup to go with it, bearing in mind room size and the requirement for small speakers. l

TV

https://www.whathifi.com/samsung/ue40mu6400/review

BD Player

https://www.hifonix.co.uk/detail/panasonic-dmp-ub9...

AV receiver/speakers

http://creative-audio.co.uk/HD.php?_DEN_X2400H_QAC...

[barchetta_boy]

Thanks very much everyone. That Denon and Q Acoustics setup has been mentioned in this forum before and it does look incredible ( lot of money too).

One concern I have is where the speakers would physically go and would they be on stands etc.

The Denon system linked above with the microspeakers is better from that point of view. I wonder if the space is just too small to do justice to the Q system.

Joel

[hyphen]

barchetta_boy said:

I want a good screen, which can’t be bigger than 40” and a good AV setup to go with it, bearing in mind room size and the requirement for small speakers.

Joel

From what I have seen, manufacturers seem to prefer 32" or 43" with 40" being less common, I know its a bit over your 40" max, but I would say go 43" than look for an 40 or smaller 32.

One thing to ask is - are you going to be watching this tv from the same distance as your living room? As otherwise then you are not thinking like for like, if you are sitting further than you do in the living room then it may not be big enough.

Also what is your priorities for a TV? Are you going to use external sources/plug in usb, or do you need good built-in smart features? If so LG has the best interface (their best 43" https://www.johnlewis.com/lg-43uj750v-led-hdr-4k-u...), but others may have better screens. Most TV's also have freeview play standard but some don't so check.

Edited by hyphen on Saturday 25th November 12:06

[B17NNS]

barchetta_boy said:

Thanks very much everyone. That Denon and Q Acoustics setup has been mentioned in this forum before and it does look incredible ( lot of money too). One concern I have is where the speakers would physically go and would they be on stands etc.

You can wall mount them or put them on stands. And no, they're not too big for a small room. They're just small proper (very attractive) good sounding speakers.

Go and have a listen/demo if you're local enough. They're a real hi fi shop with a crappy website.