DIYer Creates 2.35:1 for Under $15K

Some are willing to spend thousands of dollars to keep their hands clear of the home theater process. Matt Standing, on the other hand, decided to put his money into the machinery that makes his home theater standout.

“I don’t know of any other theaters under $15K that have a 2.35:1 acoustically transparent screen with a higher-end Optoma Anamorphic BX-AL133 lens, 1080p DLP, Blu-ray, and sound treatments with such a clean and elegant interior for under $15,000,” Matt says proudly.



Using the free software program Google SketchUp, Matt spent over 80 hours working on the design of the room. While the previously mentioned folks might consider their money well spent on the time saved, he actually loved every minute of it.

He also didn’t need a professional (aside from help with the carpet installation). He found inspiration and strength in the numbers of visitors on the AVS Forum. That’s where he found help when it came to choosing equipment, developing acoustical treatments, and general construction information. He also discovered a group of 2.35:1 devotees, who helped seal his screen decision. “Once I saw some screen shots of some home theaters with the super wide screen and most importantly no black bars, I was hooked,” Matt says. “This was also where I discovered the SMX acoustically transparent DIY screen material, which I used to create the screen so I could hide my center channel directly behind the screen.”

For more, check out
[Link: electronichouse.com]

To view slideshow
[Link: electronichouse.com]

Which probably means that there was a better way to do everything.

I'm a DIY'er too, but can't stand that place. I get the feeling half the people there don't really know what they're talking about.

I hear ya there....

Although, I'll admit to being very impressed by some of the finished HTs done by a few of those DIY'ers. The amount of work done by "Chinadog" was incredible.

[Link: avsforum.com]

Maybe nothing for the CI pros, but I was blown away by what he did.

not sure if it is 1/2 but agree. Though I think the HT forum was still relatively good when I gave up on the site because it was going downhill fast. But all the rest of the forums had become more or less "I bought X, X is the best, if you paid more and got Y then you over paid because the benefit is not worth the price, if you bought Z that was cheaper then you bought garbage".

I still like the place. I'm building my own home theater and the ideas and advice from acoustic professionals are invaluable.

As a side note, the SMX screen is now going to be distributed by SIM2.

CJ