I wonder why I have NEVER read a review of a home theater that utilizes rear projection with a glass/plexiglass screen. Whenever I meet with a client and his house plans, I always suggest rear projection. I try to use attic space, or a storage room, or a closet for the projection room. This totally negates the need to control ambient lighting and fan noise. I have a 108" Da Lite rear projection screen. I relax on my huge sofa with whatever lighting the circumstance dictaes. I realize that not everyone has the house for this, however rear projection remains the most ergonomic and high performance viewing experience possible. Respectfully, Jim Holcomb, President, Sounds Great Inc, Rome, GA.

First of all, anyone that would refer to a "roach in the clip" in an article for public submission can never be taken as a serious professional, unless he's writing for Rolling Stone magazine. It's this type of mentality that gives the A/V Industry a bad reputation.

Second, while I do agree that "some" media rooms are not that socially inviting, it is the design of the room that makes it inviting. As in the picture with this article, that is a very cold room, not really good for much else. However, when we design a room, families play together, enjoy concerts, as well as use the room with guests and watch movies. Our clients tell us they never like to leave the room.

Many, so called, Home Theater companies give their clients nothing more than a glorified Living Room. This is the fault of those companies. Either they know what a real theater is or they don't. They would do well to visit many theaters (not just movie theaters) to see what the appeal is about.

Anyone can hang a large, flat screen on a wall and put some speakers in the wall. However, to give a client what they're really looking for requires experiance and the ability to show a client the difference. Companies build these small rooms with TV and a $199 surround sound system and call it a theater. This is non sense.

If you're client wants a Living Room with some good sound, then that's what you give them. If they want a theater, don't try to sale something you can't deliver.

If your rooms are in the "death" mode, then maybe it says something about the company and its process. We're very strong in home theater rooms and our clients love them.

And please, let the professionals do the work.

The media room should conform to the client's desires and lifestyle, but a dedicated media room can certainly be used for both dedicated use, as well as social use. All that is really required to change from one to the other is a volume control and a dimmer.

Our surround sound lab is used many ways; for conducting acoustic related tests, for individual or group entertainment, both dedicated or social, for stereo & multi-channel, for audio only and AV media. I love it when company comes over who is into music. The room goes through all it's paces as we go back and forth playing LPs', concert videos, SACDs', etc. related to the music of interest, and have great time interacting with the media and each other.

Well you hit a nerve with this article (but you can not fault a guy in the business for protesting even with a self righteous tone) but there is a lot of truth in what you say. Certainly people who can afford it should and will continue to build (or have built) dedicated home theater rooms BUT if you held their feet to the fire how many would say"they seldom use them other than proudly showing and demonstrating their rooms to guests". The reason being the isolation of the room and lack of interaction with friends. I once read an article about a group of friends who sat through a "marathon"re- watching of "Brideshead Revisited" somehow I can see this as a social event in a home theater.

I think the point of the article is that many people's (not all) attitudes about "Theater Rooms" are changing. The AV business needs to recognize this and adapt accordingly. While we all have clients that do want a dedicated theater, we also have clients who just think they want a theater because their friends have one. We're the professionals, and it's our job to ask questions and guide the clients toward the decision that's right for their family. Many times what's right for the family is more of a multi-use "Media Room".

Last year, I was called in by a new client to work on their "Theater Room". It was a fairly traditional design with three rows of theater seats on risers, dark carpet & walls. After talking with the customer, I discovered that the room was only being used for movies and that they watched an average of one movie a month as a family in that room. I proposed that we change the room into a "Media Room". We repainted the walls a much ligther color, replaced the carpet and removed the risers and theater seats. I changed the 6 year old projector to a newer brighter projector. The customer bought a sofa, love seat and a recliner. The room was tranformed, its a light, comfortable room that has now become the main TV, Movie and Video Game area of the house. It gets used everyday and clients are over the moon.

While that "Media Room" may not be an audio or videophile's ideal room, it is the ideal room for that family. Isn't that our job.

The "problem" with so many of these dedicated home theaters is just that. They are essentially dedicated to movie watching and impractical for much else, except perhaps watching cable or satellite in HD. Today, the social hub of the home is the kitchen and not the home theater.

For those who have the space and funding to build a "real" home theater, these rooms become something more of a showpiece for the home almost like having a 20 foot water feature wall. Looks great when you come in to a house but you don't sit there staring at it or gather around it for socializing.

I agree that the "Media Room" is the best compromise. The room can still be constructed to dimensions that minimize nulls and peaks and can still sound great without all the fancy sound treatments. Yes, not ideal but certainly a lot more practical and inviting. Ideally the room should still be able to be isolated with a door but left open when not using it in the home theater mode. While theater seating is novel, the sectionals are likely the best option for seating comfort and flexibility for placement within the room.

Rick, my wife tells me what a snob I am when it comes to video/audio these days, but you make me look like I don't care. Calm down a bit, brother!

The roach clip crack was a bit unprofessional, but it was an attempt at humor, so...God knows I put my foot in my mouth once or twice before.

Point goes to Cave and Castle, however, for understanding what our job as professionals is. Well done, fellas!

For those of us who can't afford the luxury of having a dedicated home theater room built (and continue to pay taxes on the add sq. ft.), many of us, especially in the DIY category can have the best of both worlds in the living room if it is large enough. I hold auditions all of the time because many audio enthusiasts want to come over for a visit to my LR/HT after hearing about it.

Jerry hit on it well by saying that we can all still visit and watch a movie or music disc from the main living area, kitchen, & dining room without scuttling off to a dedicated room. I have a Mitsubishi DLP 82" with a great sounding system I've designed and tweaked over the past 15 years. Most tell me it sounds better than an IMAX theater. I wouldn't know because I don't see the need to leave home for the more expensive popcorn.

I think everyone has different tastes in sound whether it be a Bose surround or the more expensive gear and should be able to enjoy what we can in our uncertain economy in any room.

Great article Jerry.....