"The Sound & The Vision"

Think high-end audio is dead? Then take a look at this home where 2-channel audio and multi-channel surround sound live peacefully in separate but equally enjoyable rooms

If one were to walk into a hi-fi retailer today, it would be difficult to believe that there was once a time, in our not too distant past, when state-of-the–art home entertainment systems had only two speakers; and the most innovative amplifier designs provided a mere two channels of audio output. The very idea that a person could combine their hi-fi system and television for the “ultimate in home theater entertainment” was as foreign as the concept of a personal computer.

This was the world of a person we have come to know as the “Audiophile”—an individual whose love for music is matched only by their unswerving commitment to the most accurate reproduction of recorded sound. A purist at heart, this person has profound respect for the medium of music playback and the purity of 2-channel audio.

In recent years, however, things have changed. Thanks in part to innovations from companies like Dolby Labs and Digital Theater Systems, multi-channel home theaters are commonplace in millions of homes around the world, and it’s safe to say that home theater systems outsell 2-channel audio by a substantial margin.

So what of the Audiophile? Has this purist gone the way of the T-Rex, Edsel or the full-size spare tire? On the contrary. In fact, Innovative Audio in New York recently showed us a home that offers the best of both worlds—a true “Audiophile” quality listening room and state-of-the-art home theater system.

Located in Connecticut, the owner of this home defines himself as a “total audio nut” whose lifelong passion has been to perfect hi-end audio in his home. He is also a fan of video and home theater. “I’ve always had a dedicated listening room because I have never been able to achieve a satisfactory level of audio purity when I combine the two,” he states. “I’m constantly tweaking and changing things in an attempt to improve the quality of the sound in my audio room. It simply made the most sense for me to have separate rooms to maximize flexibility and control in both areas”.

The listening room is in a constant state of change—and rightly so, for the pursuit of acoustical perfection is not an idle activity. “I am constantly looking for new ways to refine and extract the most out of my listening room", the homeowner explains. “Sometimes, all it takes is a minor adjustment to speaker position or a new cable.” The owner’s desire to change and update components easily led to a practical design that is a delicate balance of form and function. Modular by design, components are stored in easily accessible, freestanding audio racks. Audio cables are bundled neatly yet exposed for easy access. Even the Wilson X-1s are fitted with casters so that they can be easily positioned for optimum performance. The result is a room that can be maintained, modified and tweaked with little difficulty.

Like the listening room, the audio portion of the home theater room was designed in an audiophile manner so as not to hide speakers, but rather integrate them into the room while making them relatively accessible. All of the electronics are from the Meridian 500 series including the new 568 surround processor, a 562 video switcher and five bridged Meridian 577 amplifiers. Aerial Acoustic speakers are used all the way around while a Velodyne F18 subwoofer provides the low end.

For the video portion of the home theater room, the homeowner called upon the expertise of Elliott Fishkin and his staff, who created a video system that would be the ideal complement to the audio portion of the home theater. “The homeowner already made significant progress with the audio portion of the room,” says Svezia. “I presented the idea of a rear projection system and he was impressed with the quality and versatility of this configuration. And he liked the fact that locating the projector behind the screen would save floor space and help to eliminate ambient cooling fan noise.”

The theater features a Sony VPH G70Q projector with Faroudja line quadrupler. The image is projected from behind onto a Stewart rear projection screen with a Stewart mirror assembly. Source components include Pioneer DVD and laserdisc players and Sony VCR. Both room and system control are provided by Niles and Lutron.

“Setting up a rear projection system for a client is always a delicate operation,” notes Svezia. “It requires building a false wall that will not only integrate aesthetically with the room, but frame the system in such a way as to not interfere with the overall performance. Screen position and projector placement are key. In this case, we essentially built the wall around the screen—making most of the adjustments while only the framework was in place.” The outcome is impressive. The 354-square-foot room features comfortable seating for four with a remarkable view from every seat.

The look and feel of both rooms was created by Connecticut-based interior designer Peter Robbin of LCR, Inc. “We wanted to create a look that reflected the personality of the owner—being both stately and functional,” states Robbin. “Because both rooms are relatively small, we incorporated special lighting and paint schemes that provide the illusion of space. As an example, we covered the low ceiling of the theater room with a reflective paper that would catch the glow of the screen and provide greater depth. We then used reflective lighting to further enhance this effect.”

“In order to keep distractions to a minimum, we used neutral color combinations and stayed away from popcorn machines and fortune tellers,” explains Robbin. “Overall, the rooms are calm and do not detract from the music or the action that is occurring on the screen.”
Like most true Audiophiles, the owner sees both rooms as a work in progress—ever changing and evolving. There is no doubt, however, that as each room continues to evolve, one thing will remain constant—an uncompromising commitment to the most accurate reproduction of recorded sound images and a love for high-end audio. That is, after all, the Audiophile way.

CAPTIONS:
With an elegant, yet relaxed feel, the theater’s interior blends aesthetics and state-of-the-art audio/video gear. A Sony rear projector and Faroudja line quadrupler are located behind a Stewart screen, while Aerial Acoustics front, center, side and rear speakers provide enveloping surround sound.

Special lighting and paint schemes create the illusion of space in this relatively small theater. The low ceiling is covered with a reflective paper that catches the glow of the screen, providing greater depth, while neutral colors minimize distractions.

Innovative Audio/Video, 150 E. 58th St., New York, NY 10155; (212) 634-4444. innovaudio.com. Interior design by Peter Robbin, LCR, Inc., (860) 231-7712.

Audio Room
Wilson Audio Specialties /Grand Slamm X-1, Series 2 speakers
Wilson Audio Specialties XS subwoofer
LAMM Audio Laboratories ML2
LAMM Audio Laboratories M1.1 Hybrid@200 watts subwoofer
Jadis JP200 MC Dual Mono preamplifier
SME 30/2 turntable with Clearaudio Accurate analogue
Mark Levinson 31.5 transport
Mark Levinson 30.6 D to A
DCS Purcell upsampler D to D
Sony SCD 1 Super Audio CD player
Siltech interconnect and speaker cable
Richard Gray’s ‘The Power Company’ power conditioner

Video Room
Sony VPH G70Q projector
Faroudja VP400A line quadrupler
Stewart rear projection with Stewart mirror assembly screen
Pioneer DV-09, CLD-99 and Sony SLV R 1000 video sources
Meridian 500 electronics amplifiers
Aerial Acoustics 10 T main front R/L speakers
Aerial Acoustics CC3 Main front center speaker
Aerial Acoustics SR3 bipole/dipole side/rear speakers
Niles and Lutron room control
Richard Gray’s ‘The Power Company’
Velodyne F-18 subwoofer

Perched proudly in the back of the listening room is the Audiophile’s place of honor—a single seat that faces an array of audio gear. The room’s décor does not detract from its ultimate purpose, which is to transport the listener into another world.

With a panoramic view of high-end gear, the listening room is a tribute to a true Audiophile. A pair of Wilson audio Grand Slamm speakers reach audio perfection along with an SME turntable, Mark Levinson CD transport, Jadis preamp and a Sony Super Audio CD player.