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Does the design of your Jameson Custom Home include a theater room? As you can imagine, sound and picture quality can make or break a movie experience. Look back at Part 1 in our blog series for details on screens and projectors. In this article, we’ll explore sound systems and sound dampening technology to maximize the movie viewing experience from the comfort of your home.

Surround sound is essential to a theater. Depending on the size of your room, a 7.1 surround sound system is probably a good bet. The “7” refers to the front left, center and right speakers, the rear left and right, and two additional speakers on the sides. The “.1” refers to the subwoofer which gives you the rich bass sounds and makes on-screen explosions and dinosaur roars come to life. If you have a smaller room, five speakers plus a subwoofer may be sufficient. The difference here is the subtraction of the two side channel speakers.

Speakers come in all shapes and sizes, and there are many high-quality manufacturers out there. Speakers can be free-standing, sit on a shelf, or be mounted into the walls. Smaller, less obtrusive speakers are hot right now, but if you go this route you may need an additional subwoofer to make up for the lack of low range these small speakers provide.

For great sound quality, you’ll want to get sound-insulation for your theater. This will also help neighbors and others in the house from hearing your movie. For new construction or a remodel, zero-sound drywall is the way to go. This is better than installing acoustic panels onto the walls, as you’ll be able to paint the drywall and decorate just like in any other room.

Cover floors with sound-dampening carpeting. Different types of carpet offer different levels of soundproofing, so check with the manufacturer before choosing. Hanging curtains or a screen covering can also help absorb sound. Don’t forget about the ceiling. You can use zero-sound drywall here, too. Be careful not to install recessed lighting or other fixtures that come through the ceiling, as the holes they create will negate any soundproofing.

Tune in next time as we address other home theater aspects, such as lighting, furniture and more!