What’s up Dreamedia family! Welcome back to another blog inside my home here in Colorado, where I'm joined by Chase, our regional sales manager. He’s been instrumental in helping me tackle some of the final pieces of my home's smart home and AV integration.

Today, we're focusing entirely on my formal living room—well, technically the formal kitchen, dining, and living space, because, as you can see, it’s one massive 60x25 ft open-concept room with soaring 18-ft ceilings. Getting high-performance audio to fill such a vast space is no small feat, but I’m here to walk you through how we retrofitted this space, tackled complex acoustics, and achieved seamless smart home automation.

Challenges of a Large, Open-Concept Room

When approaching a space like this, the first thing any audiophile will consider is room acoustics. With wood floors, massive windows, and a wood ceiling, this space is incredibly live and prone to excessive reverb—every audiophile’s nightmare!

The challenges included:

• Reverberation: Sound bouncing off hard surfaces.

• Limited Acoustic Treatment Options: With minimal wall space available, traditional acoustic panels weren't an option.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: A family-friendly, formal space that looks clean but delivers top-tier sound.

• Wiring Retrofits: Running cables in an already-finished home without invasive work.

Step 1: Acoustical Solutions with Smart Shades

The first solution we implemented was fabric roller shades by Screen Innovations (SI). These light-filtering shades provide dual benefits:

• Privacy: Essential in a glass-heavy home with close neighbors.

• Acoustic Dampening: The thick fabric significantly reduces reflections, making a noticeable difference in audio clarity.

When fully deployed, these shades dramatically reduce the room’s liveliness, creating a more controlled audio environment. We've even created custom DSP presets for when the shades are open vs. closed to optimize the sound accordingly.

Key Benefits of Smart Shades:

• Acoustic improvement without adding bulky panels.

• Light control to eliminate glare on the screen.

• Automated routines for privacy and energy efficiency.

Step 2: Smart Lighting for Ambiance & Automation

Lighting control is the second must-have in my home. Before even considering AV, I tackled lighting with Lutron, ensuring I had:

• Scene-based control: Custom lighting presets for different activities.

• Day-to-night automation: Gradual transitions throughout the day.

• Intuitive wall controls and app integration: Adjust brightness effortlessly.

With preset scenes like “Morning Routine,” “Evening Relax,” and “Movie Time,” I’ve created an environment where the lighting adjusts to fit my daily lifestyle without manual input.

Step 3: Retrofitting High-Performance Audio

Now, let's talk audio performance. Initially, I had a Sonos Arc soundbar with a wireless sub, but it simply couldn’t fill the space. The sound lacked depth, and I found myself cranking it to 80% just to hear dialogue—leading to harsh, fatiguing audio.

The upgrade path:

1. Soundbar Upgrade: I installed an RBH SW-8400 soundbar, providing high-quality front LCR channels.

2. Distributed Audio: We added RBH SI-815 and RLS speakers across the ceiling, ensuring even sound distribution.

3. On-Wall Subwoofers: We installed RBH 1212 on-wall subs in strategic locations for even bass coverage without compromising aesthetics.

Why RBH?

• AMT tweeters: Deliver crystal-clear highs without harshness.

• 8-inch woofers: Full-bodied sound with excellent dispersion.

• Custom angles: Speakers are aimed perfectly for listening positions.

With the new setup, audio is now evenly dispersed, and I can enjoy music at low levels without straining to hear across the space.

Step 4: Subwoofer Placement and Bass Management

To achieve even bass response throughout the large space, we strategically placed four RBH on-wall subwoofers:

• Corner-loaded placement: Two in the front and two in the rear to avoid dead spots.

• Hidden wiring: Leveraged existing RG6 cables to retrofit the system without major renovations.

• RBH Unrivaled Amplification: Delivering clean, powerful low-end performance.

The result? Seamless, room-filling bass without large, floor-standing subwoofers cluttering the space.

Step 5: Smart Home Automation with URC Total Control

To bring it all together, I chose URC (Universal Remote Control) to unify my entire home’s automation. Their Total Control system allows me to control:

• Lighting and Shades

• Audio & Video Sources

• Climate Control

• Security Cameras

• Voice Integration with Alexa

I’ve programmed macros like:

• “Movie Time” – Drops the shades, dims the lights, turns on the AV system.

• “Welcome Home” – Lights, music, and shades adjust when I pull into the driveway.

• “Goodnight” – Turns off all lights and AV, closes shades, and locks doors.

With the URC touch panel, I can control my entire home effortlessly, eliminating the need for multiple remotes and apps.

Key features I love:

• Geo-fencing: The home responds automatically when I arrive or leave.

• Remote access: I can monitor and control my home from anywhere.

• Multi-zone audio: Each space can have its own vibe without disturbing others.

Step 6: Enhancing Daily Living with Automation

Smart home automation isn't just about luxury; it’s about convenience and lifestyle enhancement. Some ways I utilize automation daily:

• Cooking Mode: Increases audio levels in the kitchen to combat vent hood noise.

• Nighttime Scenes: Gradual lighting adjustments for better sleep.

• Party Mode: Syncing music across the entire home for entertaining.

The automation takes the guesswork out of everyday living, allowing the home to adjust to my needs rather than me adjusting to the home.

The Final Result: A Truly Smart, Immersive Home

What we've achieved is a space that is:

• Aesthetically pleasing: No clutter, no obtrusive components.

• Acoustically balanced: Even, high-quality sound for music and movies.

• Fully automated: The home responds intuitively to my lifestyle.

My advice to homeowners:

1. Plan early: Get AV specialists involved in the design phase.

2. Invest in automation: It simplifies daily life significantly.

3. Choose the right products: Every space requires specific solutions.

Ready to Build Your Dream Home? Let’s Talk!

At Dreamedia Home Theater, we specialize in creating personalized smart home experiences that combine technology with lifestyle. Whether you're building new or retrofitting your existing space, we can help.

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