Doing some research... what are your favorite home theater tools?

[Todd Anderson]

I'm going to start creating a video series focused on educating people about home theater... and one of the focus areas is "Must own tools." I'm thinking along the lines of wire cutters, crimpers, spl meters, laser levels (or a laser pointer)... things like that.

Do you have a particular tool that you find yourself using often? Or, perhaps a tool that was helpful to have on hand when you were setting your system or room up?

If so, I'd love to hear about it and possibly incorporate it into the video.

Please think along the lines of any facet of home theater... from receiving gear, to cutting open boxes, to placing gear, to decorating rooms, to dialing-in your gear's performance...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

My very first thought is REW and a UMIK-1 measurement microphone... and this setup can be used as an SPL meter. I'd say this is the most important package anyone could own. Of course you need laptop/computer to use it.

I find myself always needing a flashlight and lantern in the room, especially when connecting/disconnecting equipment.

I use my laser measure all the time for get my mic aligned and speakers placed. Amazon no longer has it, but it's on ebay... and Amazon has a slough of other models available.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Do you have a specific flashlight or lantern (headlamp?) that you recommend?

 

[JStewart]

This Bosch laser measure doubles as a bubble level.

Good thing I don’t have speakers on the kitchen lunch counter, lol

Probably one of the most often used has been painter's tape

Multi-Meters are handy for trouble shooting

Having an SPL app is very convenient

Couple/few others are:
usb extension for usb mic like umik
furniture sliders
plain old tape measure
wire strippers

 

[Mike Schramm]

I use a digital angle finder in conjunction with my laser pointer to find specific angles for my Atmos speakers. The model I have was only about $20 on Amazon.

 

[Mike Schramm]

Oh, and cable labels when you are initially putting everything together. I prefer the ones that you can run through a printer because if I can get away from handwritten labels I will.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Cable labels you can run through a printer?

 

[Todd Anderson]

This Bosch laser measure doubles as a bubble level.

View attachment 68635

Good thing I don’t have speakers on the kitchen lunch counter, lol

Probably one of the most often used has been painter's tape
View attachment 68636

Multi-Meters are handy for trouble shooting

View attachment 68637

Having an SPL app is very convenient
View attachment 68638

Couple/few others are:
usb extension for usb mic like umik
furniture sliders
plain old tape measure
wire strippers

I think I know the answer to this, but what do you use painters tape for?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I use a digital angle finder in conjunction with my laser pointer to find specific angles for my Atmos speakers. The model I have was only about $20 on Amazon.
View attachment 68639

I’m assuming you use the angle finder while seated, yes?

 

[JStewart]

I think I know the answer to this, but what do you use painters tape for?

To mark speaker locations and angles to compare Imaging and sound stage depth/width.

 

[Mike Schramm]

I’m assuming you use the angle finder while seated, yes?

I use the same mic stand that I use with my UMIK-1 and place it in the MLP. Using the angle finder, I tilt the stand to the angle I want to place my Atmos speakers at. Finally, I use the laser pointer to point directly on the ceiling where the Atmos speakers should be placed.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Super smart. I like that

 

[Todd Anderson]

Microphone stand is an important piece of equipment to have as well!

 

[Todd Anderson]

To mark speaker locations and angles to compare Imaging and sound stage depth/width.

Ok, thanks for confirming

 

[Aburguy]

Cable labels you can run through a printer?

Would love to see this or any ideas on this. Every year I say I'm going to get better with cable management, and every year I don't get better lol.

 

[Mike Schramm]

Cable labels you can run through a printer?

Yup. Amazon again. There’s a template you download into Word and you can print whatever you like on them. I even put my home theater “logo” on them, because I’m a nerd like that.

 

[Aburguy]

Yup. Amazon again. There’s a template you download into Word and you can print whatever you like on them. I even put my home theater “logo” on them, because I’m a nerd like that.

That's pretty slick Mike. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mike Schramm]

Yup. Amazon again. There’s a template you download into Word and you can print whatever you like on them. I even put my home theater “logo” on them, because I’m a nerd like that.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Do you have a specific flashlight or lantern (headlamp?) that you recommend?

This is what I use for a lantern only because it was what we sold in the store when I had it, but I'm sure any lantern would work. This one is rechargeable:
The flashlight is a rechargeable Streamlight... and there are several variations of those... any would work.

I use gaffers tape for marking my speakers:

 

[VJM]

Laser level and a stud finder

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Some say I'm the biggest tool in my theater.

In addition to me...

$25 Light meter to make sure my Lumagen settings match my actual output. https://amzn.to/3uWbXiF

$99 Lumecube LED panel. I have this for my video camera, but it has come in very handy quite often in the theater for lighting up behind the rack and in the dark corners of our dark rooms. https://amzn.to/3IdQB3u

And my drill.

 

[Peter Loeser]

If you need WD-40 you may be doing something wrong

 

[Peter Loeser]

Some say I'm the biggest tool in my theater.

 

[Peter Loeser]

In all seriousness I suggest a good fishing tape and spool of string or twine for pulling wires. And good sharp cutters, Irwin and Channelock are good brands.

 

[Mike Schramm]

In all seriousness I suggest a good fishing tape and spool of string or twine for pulling wires. And good sharp cutters, Irwin and Channelock are good brands.

Yes. Good calls on each of those.