There comes a time in every luxury homeowner’s life when they must ask themselves an extraordinarily important question: Do I want a home theater?
Not a media room. Not a living room with a fine-looking flatscreen TV. But a true, in-home cinema experience.
More:How to Build a Better Game Room
Those who answer "no" move forward in their life, wondering what might have been as their favorite films flicker across their 65-inch smart tv.
This article is for those that answered "Yes."
Sight
What separates a home theater from the average media room? It all starts with the play out technology—a projector, over a television.
And if you’re going to build an in-house cinema to rival your local Regal theater, you’ll need the very top-of-the-line projector on the market, the Sony VPL-VW5000ES.
The foremost 4K projector comes at a steep price ($60,000) but offers blur-free images at remarkable brightness—the most important measures of any projection system.
But the world’s most advanced projector technology does so much more. In addition to offering an industry standard 3D transmitter which will allow for the "upscaling" of 2D movies to 3D, the VW5000ES offers nine picture calibration modes, ranging from gaming to multiple film and TV modes.
Meaning whether you’re enjoying the lyrical "La La Land" itself or simply watching "La La Land" win on Sunday (as it’s predicted to do), the Sony VPL-VW5000ES will provide you with optimal picture quality.
Screen
As you might imagine, when building a dedicated space in your home that simulates an authentic cinema experience, you’ll likely want to consult the professionals that construct home theaters for a living.
Screen selection is one such instance.
Like snowflakes, each home theater is unique with its own dimensions and layout, in addition to the personal preferences of the property’s owner (yes, you; you’re one in a million). Here, a full-time screen salesperson will help you decide which screen best suits your needs.
All things being equal, however, our screen suggestion is Screen Innovations' Black Diamond Zero Edge.
Sleek, stylish and sans borders, the Black Diamond Zero Edge provides a solid projection surface that excels at rejecting ambient light. Bonus? The Black Diamond is a thing of beauty even when nothing is projected upon it, resembling something like the world’s largest flat-screen TV.
Black Diamond Zero Edge can be customized up to 150 inches and can include add-ons like LED lighting wraps that will provide a more personal touch and tone to your own home theater.
Prices vary based upon size and options.
Sound
Even more than screen choice, sound system selection and setup will be entirely unique to your home theater space. We’ve praised many a sound system here but they’ve all been easily attainable, out-of-the-box solutions that would fit your living room. but not a dedicated home theater.
To construct an immersive soundscape, complete with the bass, booms and surround sound of a commercial cinema, you should once again consult the professionals.
Specialists like Cinema Systems, who can help you identify the specific sound needs of your unique acoustic environment and assist in the installation.
The leading lights of "Listen to this!", at least in the home theater space, appear to be the all-encompassing audio systems of Dolby Atmos and competitor DTS:X. Both are solutions for residential and commercial theaters, but again, a qualified contractor will help you identify which system (or maybe even a third option) is best for you.
HomeAdvisor.com is a good place to start to identify a contractor or specialist in your area who can assist in your audio setup.
Seats
All the finest audio-visual products in the world are rendered useless if you are missing the most important aspect of any home theater experience—a comfortable seat.
You’ll want something that matches the supple style and comfort of the higher tier theaters, but includes a few options the commercial experience simply won’t afford you.
Behold the Seatcraft Madera.
Featuring leather from the top third of hides (for superior "look, texture and aroma"), the Madera has the class and comfort aspects covered, but the seating solution is also replete with attractive add-ons, including lighted cupholders, ambient base lighting, accessory mounted tray tables, in-armrest storage and powered recline.
And while texting during a movie is discouraged in a commercial cinema, no such taboo exists in the home theater, thankfully. Seatcraft Madera chairs come with built-in USB charging ports, allowing you to share your exact thoughts on "Arrival" as they happen on Twitter without fear of battery loss.
Seatcraft Madera Home Theater Seating lists for $4,205.
Snacks
Is it an authentic theater experience without popcorn?
You needn’t ever find out.
The fine folks at Home Theater Mart have a variety of concession stand popcorn makers (and accompanying accoutrements) for sale, ranging from $399 to $1,799, which will bring the classic smells and tastes of the theater to your personal projector room.
If a film screening is also about satisfying a sweet tooth, HT Mart also offers a full-on concession stand, complete with candy compartment for $2,229. Candy, and staffing, provided by you.
As with seating, snack options can also be those hard-to-find goodies you never see in a commercial theater.
It is not uncommon to find a bar adjacent, or even within, a home theater, and if you enjoy an adult beverage with your screenings we recommend the Burton Home Bar Set ($3,162), which offers ample storage and classic style while not occupying a ton of space.
Buyers should beware, however. Bringing classic, or even unconventional, snacks into the the home theater experience may add the additional authenticity of sticky floors.