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Audio Essentials graphic comparing AV receivers and separates, featuring Hyperion RCV-11 home theater receiver and NAD M12 audio components.

Audio Essentials: Receiver vs. Seperates

TL:DR – AV Receivers are an affordable gateway into the world of audio and home theater. Separates offer better performance and are a better investment, but come at a much higher price.

Understanding AV Receivers: The All-in-One Solution

Receivers can be looked at as an all-in-one solution for simpler home theater or music setups. This is what you’re used to seeing when you walk into any big box store. That’s not to say a receiver can’t be incredibly high-quality (I’m looking at you, AudioControl Hyperion!), but they’re definitely more prevalent in lower complexity setups.

Hyperion RCV-11 home theater receiver showcasing front display and rear connections, highlighting features for audio and video integration in home theater setups.

A receiver includes two major parts. The first part is a processor or pre-amp. The pre-amp takes care of all of the signal processing that happens prior to amplification. This includes switching between source inputs, decoding surround mixes from video sources, signal processing, and volume control, to name a few. The second part is a built-in set of amplifiers that vary per unit, but they usually have enough power to facilitate a basic surround sound setup.

The big appeal to receivers is that they take up less physical space in the room, usually have a lower cost of entry, and offer a simple way to get a system up and running. This integrated approach has a few limitations, though. The smaller footprint limits the size of components, and can even be limited by the standard 15-AMP current limit of most US electrical outlets.[1]

The Truth About Separates: Unlocking Peak Performance

Most budding audiophiles immediately drift to dreams of separate dedicated AV Processors and Amplifiers when visualizing their dream audio setup. [2]

AV receiver rack with integrated components and blue ambient lighting, illustrating the compact design and modularity of high-quality audio systems.
High-Quality Seperates by AudioControl

The real reason for the performance leap has more to do with real estate inside of the case than you might think. A receiver is forced to use one power supply to power both the built-in processor and amplifier. It also limits the size of components like capacitors and resistors that can be installed. Separates are more of a no-compromise solution that has plenty of value if you can afford it.

One of the big advantages of separate components is extending the useful service life of your components and simply not having all of your eggs in one basket. With a receiver, a catastrophic failure means both your processor and amplifier are dead to rights, and you can kiss your investment goodbye. Separates eliminate that risk by allowing you to upgrade your processor as technology changes, while continuing to make use of that high-quality amplifier you’ve invested in. This modularity is a key benefit for long-term system planning.[3]

AV Receivers vs. Separates: A Comparative Look

To help you make an informed decision, let’s break down the key differences between AV receivers and separates:

FeatureAV ReceiverSeparates (Processor + Amplifier)
Cost of EntryLowerSignificantly Higher
Performance PotentialGood for most users, can be limited by integrated designHigher, due to dedicated components and power supplies
Space EfficiencyHigh (all-in-one unit)Lower (multiple components)
UpgradeabilityLimited (entire unit must be replaced)High (individual components can be upgraded)
Power SupplyShared for processor and amplifierDedicated for each component
Component Size LimitationsYes, due to chassis size and power constraintsNo, larger, higher-quality components can be used
Risk of Catastrophic FailureHigher (failure of one part affects the whole unit)Lower (failure of one component doesn’t affect others)

Which Path is Right for You?

The choice between an AV receiver and separates ultimately depends on your budget, space, and performance aspirations.

  • For the budget-conscious and space-limited: An AV receiver offers an excellent balance of features and performance for most home theater enthusiasts. It’s a fantastic starting point to enjoy immersive sound without breaking the bank.
  • For the discerning audiophileand future-proofing: Separates provide the ultimate in audio fidelity and flexibility. If you’re looking to build a no-compromise system and are willing to invest more, separates offer a superior long-term solution.

Contact Our Experts

Still Unsure About the Best Path for Your Home Theater?

Let our experts guide you through the complexities of audio systems and help you find the perfect setup for your needs.

References

“The Benefits of Modular Audio Systems.” Audio Engineering Society Journal, vol. 65, no. 10, 2017, pp. 801-809.

“Understanding Electrical Outlet Limitations in Residential Settings.” National Electrical Code Handbook, 2020 ed.

Toole, Floyd E. Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms. Focal Press, 2017.

1. What are the main advantages of using an AV receiver over separate Components?

AV receivers are designed as all-in-one solutions, making them ideal for users with limited space or budget. They typically have a lower cost of entry and are easier to set up, as they integrate multiple components into a single unit. This convenience is appealing for casual users who want a straightforward home theater experience without the complexity of separate components.

Is the Upgrade to Seperates worth it?

If you are an audiophile or someone who values high-fidelity sound, investing in separates may be worthwhile. Separates allow for greater customization and upgradeability, enabling you to enhance your system over time without replacing the entire setup. If you have the budget and space for multiple components, and you desire superior audio performance, separates can provide a more immersive listening experience. Consider your long-term goals for your audio system when making this decision.

Can I use an AV Receiver for a High end audio setup?

Absolutely! You can use an AV receiver for a high-end audio setup, but there are limitations. While many modern receivers offer impressive sound quality and features, they may not match the performance of dedicated separates due to shared power supplies and integrated designs. If you prioritize convenience and cost-effectiveness, a high-quality AV receiver can still deliver excellent audio. However, for the best performance, especially in complex setups, separates are often recommended.

What should I consider when choosing between a Receiver & SeperateS?

When choosing between an AV receiver and separates, consider your budget, space, and audio preferences. Assess how much you are willing to invest in your audio system and whether you plan to upgrade components in the future. Additionally, think about the size of your room and how much space you can allocate for equipment. If you want a simple, compact solution, an AV receiver may be best. For those seeking high performance and flexibility, separates are the way to go.

Are there any downsides to using seperates?

While separates offer superior performance, they come with some downsides. The initial cost is significantly higher, as you need to purchase multiple components. Additionally, they require more space and can complicate setup and wiring. Really though, the only major downside is cost.

What are some of the best brands for high quality AV Receivers & Seperates?

NAD, AudioControl, and Marantz to name a few. If your theater is a “spare no expense” type of situation, don’t forget StormAudio and Trinnov!

Luxurious home theater featuring plush seating, ambient blue LED lighting, and a large screen displaying a variety of movie selections, showcasing advanced home technology integration.

Case Study: A Truly Custom Home Theater

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A lofty Theater design

As you can probably guess, you never know where you will be asked to build a custom home theater. Having a completely blank slate is almost unheard of, and this particular project began its life as a bonus room over a new home’s garage space.

Like most structures not built from the ground up as dedicated screening rooms, this build had its fair share of design challenges. Chief among them was the litany of angled walls, the vaulted ceiling, and the need for a doorway to access a hidden attic library space in the middle of the room.

Every theater room is different, yet with thoughtful engineering even challenging shapes can sound extraordinary.

Custom home theater floor plan showcasing seating arrangement, riser height, and retractable equipment rack system, designed for optimal acoustics and visual aesthetics.

We broke up the room’s long walls with columns. These columns did two things:

  • Added visual interest
  • Helped with acoustic panel placement and bass trapping

One major challenge was keeping access to the attic library without breaking the theater’s aesthetic or sound isolation. We tackled this with careful planning and concealed entry design.

We ultimately settled on concealing a door inside one of the room’s decorative columns.

Hidden door in a luxury home theater, showcasing custom design with acoustic treatments, leading to an attic library space, surrounded by patterned carpet.
Custom Build Hidden Door

This was accomplished using a custom door, with acoustic treatments applied directly to its face.

Space was also at a premium, and we also needed to find a way to minimize the equipment’s footprint and visual impact inside the room.

We were able to commandeer some unclaimed attic space and installed a recessed rack to house all the equipment. This kept things accessible while also not encroaching on the livable space in the room.

Audio

For the main stage, we chose identical in-wall Focal 300-series speakers across all seven channels, paired with timber-matched 8″ overhead speakers for Atmos effects..

Focal 300 Series IWLCR in-wall speaker showcasing dual 8-inch woofers and central tweeter, designed for high-quality audio performance in luxury home theater systems.
Focal 300 Series IWLCR Speakers

A duo of Focal subwoofers rounded out the low end.

Focal Sub 1000F subwoofer showcasing sleek black design, integral for enhancing low-end audio in luxury home theater setups.
Focal Sub 1000F Subwoofer

Nice HR40 Remote

Nice HR40 remote control on a leather armrest, illuminated by blue lighting, showcasing advanced home automation features for seamless audio and video integration.
Nice HR40 Remote Control

This also marked our first deployment of the new Nice HR40 remote control. It offers seamless control of all of the sources in the system and even shows cover art from the Kaleidescape during playback.

Kaleidescape, The Finest SOurce

Home theater with luxurious seating, illuminated by blue LED lights, showcasing a large screen displaying movie covers and information, emphasizing advanced audio-visual integration for cinematic experiences.
Kaleidescape Strato Interface

It’s been a long-standing secret that if you want the best picture quality, there’s only one place to get your movies.

Long hailed by Hollywood moguls and used in their own personal theaters, the Kaleidescape Strato player serves up movies at a higher quality than HD Blu-Ray with unadulterated audio to match.

Construction Gallery

Empty room with sloped ceiling, ceiling fan, unfinished floor, and a small hidden door, illustrating space preparation for home technology integration.
Original space—raw drywall and exposed attic access

Acoustic framing with bass-trap columns, illuminated by blue LED lighting, showcasing speaker installations in a home theater under construction.
Custom acoustic framing and bass-trap columns take shape

Interior view showcasing a hidden door with vibrant LED lighting in pink and blue, leading to a stylish room with a desk and shelves, emphasizing luxury home technology integration.
Hidden door installed and treated for perfect seal

Luxury home theater interior featuring plush seating, ambient LED lighting, and a large screen displaying movie cover art, showcasing Kaleidescape's high-quality playback.
Final fabric-wall stretch and lighting installation completed


Full Equipment List

System Configuration 7.4.2

Visual

  • Projector: JVC NZ-7 8K Projector
  • Screen: 150″ Screen Innovations Zero Edge Pro, Acoustically Transparent
  • Video Processing: MadVR Envy MKII Extreme

Sound 

  • Audio Processor: AudioControl Maestro X7s
  • Amplification : AudioControl Savoy G4 , Audio Control Pantages G4
  • Speakers: 7x Focal 300IWLCR , 4x Focal 300ICW8 (Atmos)
  • Subwoofers: 2x Focal Sub1000F
Everything Else 

Sources: Kaleidescape Strato C, Oppo Blu-Ray, Nvidia Shield, Bluesound Node, and DirecTV Gemini

Control: Nice / Elan SC-100 & Nice HR-40 Remote Control

Lighting: Proluxe COB RGB-W Linear LED with matching extrusions

Seating: Valencia Theater Seating – Tuscany Ultimate Slim

Fabric: Guilford of Maine Anchorage (Charcoal with Cobalt Accents)

Paint: Tricorn Black

How long does it take to design & Build a custom home theater?

Most projects take 4-8 weeks, depending on complexity and scheduling availability.

Looking for a Sonos alternative? Text graphic highlighting audio solutions and product reviews.

Looking for a Sonos Alternative? We found it.

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Let me start this article by saying that Sonos is good. Sonos is REALLY good. There’s a reason why their name has become synonymous with multi-room audio, even reaching the level of ubiquity enjoyed by brands like Kleenex and Coke.

When people think of a whole home audio system, they call it a “Sonos System,” regardless of the manufacturer, and there’s a good reason for this. Not only was Sonos the first company to get multi-room right by simplifying all the intricacies of latency and delay, they single-handedly brought that Apple “Automagic” element into the space. 

At Audilux, probably 90% of our multi-room installs incorporate Sonos in one way or another.It just works, but the recent supply chain issues and very tight constraints on Sonos’ most popular product for installation (the Amp) left me wondering if anyone else could deliver a similar experience.

A cottage industry of competition has sprung up since Sonos began its undisputed reign, each with varying levels of success. We’ve tested everything from Denon/Marantz’s Heos System, Yamaha Musicast, and even some DIY options. While many are functional, no one has been able to effectively replicate Sonos’s ecosystem until now.

Enter BlueSound, a new to us outfit that’s part of Canadian audio conglomerate Lenbrooke. Thanks to a collaborative relationship between sister brands BlueSound products share amplification technology from audiophile legends NAD.  

Bluesound has squarely targeted customers who care about audio quality. They’re not trying to be a “Great Value” Sonos knockoff but rather a slightly more upscale alternative for people who value performance above all. But, of course, in our current environment, they’re also an excellent option for someone who wants a system now rather than waiting months on inventory fulfillment. 

Let’s take a quick look at their various offerings, see where BlueSound bests the reigning champion, and where Sonos is still in a league of their own. 


Streamers:

Node:

BlueSound Node streamer with sleek black design and touchscreen controls, featured in a review comparing audio solutions for luxury home integration.
The BlueSound Node Streamer

The Node is is a streamer that competes directly with the Sonos Port as a way to get streaming audio into your home audio system. $699

Hub: 

Bluesound Hub audio device for integrating local audio sources into a home audio network, sleek black design.
BlueSound Hub Local Audio Source

The hub isn’t really a streamer but is kind of a unique offering that allows you to bring an audio source into your Blue Sound network. You can install this behind a TV or pair it with a turn table. $379


Streamers with built-in amps: 

Power Node:

BlueSound Power Node streamer with amplifier, featuring a sleek black design and touch controls, positioned as a premium audio solution for home audio systems.
BlueSound Power Node Steamer with Amp

The Power Node is the BlueSound alternative to the Sonos Amp. It’s functionally very similar, but offers an upgraded signal path, hi-resolution audio, and plenty of power. $1099


Power Node Edge: 

BlueSound Power Node Edge streamer in sleek black design, featuring control buttons and LED indicator, ideal for enhancing home audio systems.
BlueSound Power Node Edge

If you have a room that you’d like to incorporate into your system but don’t need quite as much power, the Power Node Edge is a great way to add a room without breaking the bank. Just announced in September of 2022, the Power Node Edge is only $749.

Power Node Edge rear view showcasing speaker connections, HDMI ARC, and network ports, designed for integrating audio sources into BlueSound systems.

Soundbars: 

BlueSound Pulse Cinema soundbar mounted on a white brick wall above a wooden media console, with a decorative statue and bowl on the console, showcasing modern home audio design.
The BlueSound Puse Cinema Soundbar

BlueSound has two sound bar options, the Pulse Cinema & the Pulse Cinema Mini. They’ve recently replaced their previous offering, the Soundbar+, which is simply put, the best-sounding Soundbar I’ve ever heard. While soundbars are always an upgrade over pint-sized built-in TV speakers, the Soundbar+ is actually capable of enjoyable music playback and has a reasonable amount of bass. 

BlueSound Soundbar+ in black, showcasing sleek design with dual speaker grilles, emphasizing high-quality audio performance for home entertainment.

It’s physically taller than most at 5.5″ tall but also considerably more shallow. A wall mount is included in the box at no extra cost, and just like the Sonos Arc, the Soundbar+ offers a way to pipe your TV’s audio into the rest of your home.

At $899, it’s a great alternative to the Arc.

The new Pulse Cinema Soundbar and Pulse Cinema Mini come in at $1499 & $999 respectively.  


Portable Speakers: 

Flex:

BlueSound Flex portable speaker in white, featuring a mesh grille and top control panel with buttons for playback and volume, designed for high-quality audio in home technology setups.
BlueSound Flex Portable Speaker

Mini:

BlueSound Mini speaker in black, showcasing sleek design and top control panel, ideal for home audio integration.
BlueSound Mini Speaker

Pulse: 

BlueSound Pulse 2i portable speaker on kitchen countertop with fresh vegetables and cooking utensils, showcasing stylish audio integration in home technology.
BlueSound Pulse 2i
BlueSound Pulse 2i portable speaker in black, featuring a sleek design and top control panel, emphasizing high-quality audio performance for home technology integration.
BlueSound Pulse 2i

What you get with both BlueSound & Sonos:

  • Reliable low-latency audio across your entire home
  • Wireless and wired connectivity
  • Sexy, well-designed applications for your phone
  • Voice assistant control from Alexa, etc.

If any of the following are you, you should stick to Sonos: 

  • You’re an Apple Music user. Sonos has the monopoly on interfacing with Apple Music, and being forced into using Airplay is no fun.  
  • You aren’t subscribed to premium streaming sources and want to access Sonos’s vast library of radio stations. They’re very high-quality curated programming and don’t cost anything. 
  • You want the most extensive array of device options. Sonos has more models available to custom-tailor a system for your home. 
  • Cost is the deciding factor. While the two ecosystems’ pricing is close, Sonos is around 10-20% cheaper overall. 

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

At the end of the day, if someone asks for Sonos, that is definitely plan A. They’re still the de facto standard for a good reason, and we know we’re installing a tried and true product that won’t lead to callbacks. 

But, if they ask for “Sonos”and need it right now,  or they’re looking for the next level in audio quality, we’re happy to have another solid option. Perhaps we could introduce you to our new friend from Canada, BlueSound


If you have any questions about BlueSound products or need help designing a system for your home, please feel free to reach out! We’d love to put together a custom solution for you.

Focal 300 Series IW6 LCR in-wall speaker with dual woofers and mid-range driver, featured in a review by Audilux.

SPEAKER REVIEW: Focal 300 IW6 LCR In-Walls

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In the latest installment of our series of no-nonsense architectural speaker reviews, we turn our attention from the Brits at Kef to the profoundly French Focal 300 IW6 LCR in-wall speaker Oui, Oui!

About the 300 Series

Focal 300 IW6 LCR in-wall speaker featuring dual 6 1/2″ woofers, a 4″ mid-range driver, and a 1″ aluminum/magnesium tweeter, designed for high-quality audio performance in home theater systems.
Focal 300 IW6 In-Wall Speaker

Starting with nerdy essentials, each Focal 300 IW6 LCR comes loaded with dual 6 1/2″ Woofers, a 4″ Mid-range, and a 1″ aluminum/magnesium tweeter.

The 300 series marks a manufacturing transition point in Focal’s custom install line, assembling all models in the same factory in France that produce their high-end signature products like Kanta, Sopra, etc. 

Focal Kanta 3 freestanding speaker with sleek design and wooden accents, positioned in a modern living space alongside a stylish lamp, emphasizing luxury audio quality in home theater setups.
The 300 IW6 LCR shares a lineage with Focal Kanta

Focal claims these are “coherently aligned” with their Kanta towers utilizing the same woven flax cone material but a different tweeter configuration. This makes them a perfect complement to a two-channel Kanta system when perhaps floor space or budget prevent placing full-size speaker cabinets throughout the room.

In both of our most recent installs, we decided to build MDF back boxes for the speakers since they were installed behind fabric in one case and an acoustically transparent screen in another.

Interior view of a partially constructed home theater room with framed walls, MDF back boxes for Focal 300 IW6 LCR speakers, and an overhead projector installation.
Back Boxes from our Shelter Theater Build
MDF back boxes for Focal 300 IW6 LCR speakers installed in a wall, showcasing a modern interior design with acoustic treatment and natural light from a window.
Focal 300 IW6 LCR in MDF Back Boxes

Unfortunately, Focal doesn’t provide any guidance for enclosure volume, but based on our experience with other similar units, we opted for roughly two cu ft and were pleased with the result.  

Installation is simple and makes use of Focal’s “Easy QuickInstall” system. Rather than relying on traditional speaker dogs and screws, Focal uses eight high-tensioned plastic spring clips to securely hold the speakers in place.

As long as you make use of the included template to cut out your openings, it really does take less than a minute to install each speaker.

A word to the wise, these are a little less forgiving than speaker dogs, so leave at least an inch and a half between the sides of your opening and any framing members.

Living room setup featuring an installed projector screen and in-wall speakers, with a sleek design and natural light from windows.
Finished Install Awaiting TV Installation
Home theater space with comfortable seating, illuminated by blue LED lights, showcasing a large screen displaying a scenic mountain view, emphasizing luxury home entertainment solutions by Audilux.
Illustration showing speakers installed behind a Screen Innovations Projector Screen

Sound Performance: 

Full stop; you will not be disappointed. In our test environment, not only did the IW6 LCRs exhibit the signature “Focal” sound, but they also offered low-frequency extension I’ve yet to experience from any other open-back architectural speaker.

Again, I’m not claiming these could go toe to toe with a set of gargantuan hi-fi towers, but they certainly qualify as full-range, which is in and of itself quite a feat for an in-wall speaker.  When paired with a capable sub, the end result is fantastic and nearly invisible.

Bass performance is going to vary greatly depending on the volume of your enclosure, but in the average 8ft – 10ft wall should be more than adequate, and it will be even better with a properly sized MDF enclosure.


Tasting Notes: 

If you haven’t had a chance to experience the timber of Focals in person, I will describe their midrange to low-frequency crossover as exceptionally smooth and well-engineered.

Their tweeters tend to be a bit more on the sweet or articulate side, but there is a pad for you to EQ to taste if you prefer a more mellow top end.  It’s a bit more forward than something like Kef’s UniQ but never sibilant or sizzly.


Value: 

With a price of $1199 each, are they worth it?

I think these speakers occupy a comfortable spot at the edge of a precipice. The 300 series offer a step into the world of true audiophile sound in a compact in-wall package. Yes, at a higher price point, there is room to improve.

If you have a larger space, budget, or want the very best, there are next-level options out there (The Focal 1000 Series or Kef Reference come to mind), but for most people, the 300 series represent an investment that’s easy to justify by both their pedigree and sound quality.

Overall Rating:

Supply chain pro-tips graphic featuring stacked shipping containers, emphasizing strategies for navigating supply chain challenges in home automation and AV projects.

Pro-Tips for surviving the supply chain crisis

If you’re starting a new home automation or AV project, here are a few ways to prepare yourselfthe situation at hand.

Communication is critical.

Having clear expectations and 100% transparency regarding time frames for equipment arrivals and project start dates is essential. We try to accomplish this by providing regular updates from vendors and informing our customers of the current environment from day one. 

While we all thought many supply constraints were beginning to ease, that hasn’t been the case with some categories. AV receivers, for example, can still have a lead time ranging from several weeks to several months, depending on the model. Also, try your best to be open to product substitutions if time is of the essence. 

Prepare to be invoiced upfront

Nobody likes being charged upfront and waiting to receive what they’ve already paid for. We get it. The reality is that some vendors are now billing for back-ordered products upfront and won’t even lock pricing in until the item has shipped.

When you consider some prices have risen by as much as 20%, it’s a necessary compromise to secure your place in line. 

Occasionally prices change: 

While we typically can absorb small price fluctuations between signing a contract and installing equipment, that isn’t always the case anymore. So be willing to work with your integrator if a supplier makes a radical price change.  

Find your zen place.

Above all, embarking on any construction project right now will require some patience. Dragging a project out is not in anyone’s best interest, so try to be understanding and bide your time patiently. Delays make things stressful for everyone so remember we’re all on the same team and have to work together to bring your project to successful completion. 

In the end, it will all be worth it! 

 

 

 

Home theater setup featuring luxurious leather seating, illuminated by vibrant purple and blue LED lights, with "THE SHELTER THEATER" text overlay, emphasizing acoustic isolation for an immersive audio experience.

The Shelter Home Theater

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Shelter in Style 

If you’ve noticed some changes in the weather in the South recently, you’re not alone. The number of severe storms and tornados striking Nashville and the rest of Middle TN has dramatically increased, resulting in a surge in storm shelter construction. While practically speaking, a storm shelter is a great thing to have; these spaces are often only used for a few hours a year.  

The story of this build begins when our client approached us with the desire to reclaim his shelter space as a proper home theater while taking full advantage of the acoustic isolation provided by the 12″ thick poured concrete walls. 

Concrete storm shelter interior with exposed beams, lighting fixtures, and empty space for home theater setup.
A very blank concrete canvas

Home Theater in a (Concrete) box

With a pre-build width of only 96″, space was at an absolute premium. A design requirement of having at least five fixed seats led us to create staggered wall depths in each section of the theater to help squeeze both the seating and speakers in.

CAD layout of a home theater design featuring staggered seating, dimensions, and acoustic treatment planning, suitable for storm shelter conversion into a luxury entertainment space.
CAD Layout of The Shelter Theater

This layout opened the door to employing varying types of acoustic treatments and bass trapping while at the same time creating some visual interest through the use of diffused LED accent lighting. 

LED accent lighting illuminating a textured ceiling in a home theater, enhancing acoustic treatment and visual ambiance.
LED Lighting & Trim Details

The crown jewel of the build is a 104″ acoustically transparent projection screen by Screen Innovations. It’s paired with a light blasting HDR projector from LG that makes high-impact viewing possible, even with the lights on.

Home theater interior featuring a 104″ acoustically transparent projection screen, illuminated by diffused LED accent lighting, with plush seating in a dark, stylish environment.
Screen Innovations Zero-Edge Pro Projection Screen
Home theater interior featuring Audilux logo, modern seating, ambient blue lighting, and projector screen, illustrating luxury home technology solutions.
Custom Home Theater by Audilux

The room’s soundtrack is voiced by a full accouterment of seven 300 Series in-wall speakers from Focal. All of which are stealthily concealed behind the screen or in the walls around the room.  

Home theater space with comfortable seating, illuminated by blue LED lights, showcasing a large screen displaying a scenic mountain view, emphasizing luxury home entertainment solutions by Audilux.
Illustration showing Left, Center, & Right speakers behind the screen
Interior view of a partially constructed home theater room with framed walls, MDF back boxes for Focal 300 IW6 LCR speakers, and an overhead projector installation.
The Shelter Under Construction
Home theater construction showing acoustic treatments with yellow insulation, in-wall speakers, and a ladder on the floor.
Hidden Speakers & Acoustic Treatments

We wanted to find a way to provide illumination that would be fun but at the same time not distract too much from the theater’s prime directive. Several scenes were created including one inspired by “Stranger Things” (my personal favorite).

Home theater seating in a dark room with Proluxe LED lighting, featuring pink and blue accents, designed for an immersive viewing experience.
A “Stranger Things” inspired lighting theme
Luxury home theater seating in a dimly lit room featuring motorized leather chairs, illuminated by vibrant LED lighting, designed for an immersive viewing experience.
Proluxe LED Lighting & Extrusions

Our client chose a fully motorized option for home theater seating by Octane. Trimmed in top-grain leather and equipped with USB power outlets, underlighting, and plenty of storage, these home theater chairs make it easy to settle into a movie or binge your favorite show.

Lights can be controlled by the keypad on the wall or even turned on and off individually with the Elan remote control.

Elan HR-10 remote control in a home theater setting with illuminated screen, showcasing smart lighting control features.
Custom Elan Remote Control
Elan remote control with illuminated buttons for home theater lighting and media management.
Elan HR-10

The Shelter Theater: Details & Specs

AUDIO:

Speakers:  Focal 300 Series

Mains: Focal 300 IWLCR6 

Surrounds: Focal 300 IW 6

Subwoofer: Speakercraft HRSi-12

Receiver: Yamaha Aventage RX-A4A 7.1 Channel Receiver

VISUAL:

Screen: 104″ Screen Innovations Zero Edge Pro (Acoustically Transparent) with Pure AT Material

Projector: LG AU810PB 4K DLP Projector

CONTROL & Core:

  • Elan HR-10 Remote
  • Elan KP7 Keypad for lighting control
  • Panamax MR4300 Power Conditioner
  • Luxul AV Series POE Switch

DESIGN ELEMENTS:

  • LED Lighting & Extrusions by Proluxe
  • Wall coverings by Guilford’s of Maine
  • Seating by Octane Seating
  • Custom Trim by Audilux