Synyrgy Cynyma II ( Pronounced: Lynyrd Skynyrd Too)

[1_sufferin_mind]

Many thanks to followers and participants alike; especially those still with me despite my earlier off-topic comments regarding my sister-in-law’s personal situation. I now recognize they were calloused and selfish.

I’ll admit I painted a harsh picture, but in my defense please try to imagine the incredibly intense stress and heart wrenching drama we all went through. My wife honored her sister’s wishes (to the end) not to be put in a home. Their mother moved in with us to help and also insisted on keeping her there. Toward the end—which did not come easy—she was too heavy to move without her cooperation. It got really ugly when we started at each other’s throats.

Long story short?
I was praised for how I brightened her mood, looked after her, and helped with nursing tasks. I can truthfully say there were times when it wasn’t me; it was God working through me.

So please consider my previous harsh words in the context of my incredibly stressful circumstances. My wife gifted me my theater room and budget in advance appreciation of my help and as compensation for not having signed up to move in with relatives.

I love my departed sister-in-law. She loved old-school music-listening in my previous theater, and she wanted me to enjoy my new one. I now continue unashamed and unapologetic in her honor on my mission to create the best theater I can with what I have (and with what I‘m willing to buy on credit).

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Ricocheting from one detail to the next, it was time to revisit my challenging ventilation project. My chosen gasket material for the fan assemblies arrived in time to outfit one and test drive it (sans mounting hardware) under power. My idea seems to be working so far! The case and wall were sufficiently isolated to prevent them from adding any more noise than the fans themselves. Final success with minimizing cumulative ventilation noise will depend on:

• Mastering their flexible programming
• Properly locating their thermal probes
• Balancing CFM with fan speed/noise

Before repainting the butchered wall, I made sure each fan/duct assembly fit into its respective opening. My initial cuts with the jigsaw followed the measured lines. Trimming for final fit made the openings too big to accept the intended fasteners, so I opted for toggle bolts. The ones I used were overkill but I didn’t feel like trekking to the hardware store.

The fun factor took a distinct nose dive at that point as I struggled to pre-drill the required toggle holes in material that was only half there. I managed though and I’m proud of how it turned out on the control side. I had to do something to bring the business end of these babies up to the same standard.

I could have just stuffed some insulation into the gaps between my makeshift ducts and the studs, but I went the extra mile and sealed them shut with the abundant supply of foil tape left over from making the ducts. I still have to route some of the cables but a trial fitting of one of my passive grates revealed the need to trim the ducts back as well.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

EDIT: Added inside pic of finished closet

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I’m extremely pleased with closet ventilation results. The fans can barely be heard inside the theater even when running at full tilt. Fan noise out in the hall is a different story, but it’s not loud enough to be annoying around the corner in her loft.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I’ve been experimenting with various types of material to mask the TV’s ceiling glare. The best so far has been a large 12x10 photography backdrop by Neewer. It’s made of Muslim and is not as shiny as polyester, but still casts a distinct reflection. I’m beginning to think that I’ll not be satisfied with anything less than black velvet. I’m unsure about other brands, but Seymour Screens’ Fidelio velvet seems like the best solution, though not wallet-friendly.

It’s hard to tell from the included image below, but the same backdrop draped over the reflective (currently unused) L/C/R significantly helps reduce visual distraction when watching the display. I may need to build a simple frame wrapped in blackout material that could lean against the L/R speakers’ inside panels to cut the glare.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Equipment hookup is on hold pending installation of the projector and screen. My usually dismal luck took a turn for the best when I found my first dream-screen advertised used for half of retail. After a week of discussion and images—the seller was very honest and thorough—I pulled the trigger. Here’s its temporary resting place (complete with guard dog, lol) awaiting installation.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I hired a local AV specialist (scheduled 07/21) for the install at right around $1k. I really have no idea whether or not I’m getting taken to the cleaners, but they quoted 2 techs for 1/2 day to mount both projector and screen, align, and install/run/fish power and signal outlets/cables. I think I should order a spare lamp for the used JVC just in case it’s that close to EOL (end of life). Below is pic of the the projector’s staging area next to the yet-to-be-unpacked turntable cartons.

getting closer.... getting excited.... want to wire!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

The AV rep confirmed my preliminary calcs for the 10 foot screen distance necessary for the projector to throw a full-screen image. Given a projector length of ~20” and allowing for another 6” of rear-panel cable clearance, the L/C/R speaker baffles need to be no more than about 3.5’ off the front wall. That’s a foot or two closer than my original mock up, but still allows for some flexibility in attaining acceptable SS&I for 2ch listening. The 2nd image below shows component proximity along the front stage.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Incidentally, the makeshift center channel stand I fashioned out of two individual monitor stands works like a charm. The M8-to-M6 thread conversion inserts screwed into the welded channels at the bottom of the stands, which in turn accepted my Dayton Audio adjustable spiked feet. The dual-stand is fairly stable holding the center channel’s weight but definitely needs leveling.

 

[JStewart]

but Seymour Screens’ Fidelio velvet seems like the best solution, though not wallet-friendly.

Ahem, https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/synyrgy-cynyma-ii-pronounced-lynyrd-skynyrd-too.4715/post-52891
I've got a small piece I can mail you if you shoot me PM. @Todd Anderson can vouch that I'm not a crazy person. We'll not in that way anyway.

(complete with guard dog, lol)

One more thing we have in common! Pibbles are so mis-understood. Mine is the best and most friendly dog I've ever had and I've had a lot of dogs!

Incidentally, the makeshift center channel stand I fashioned out of two individual monitor stands works like a charm.

Those Monoprice stands are a bargain. I think they source them from Pangea who sell them for quite a bit more.

Nice to see it all coming together for you. Looking good!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Ahem, https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/synyrgy-cynyma-ii-pronounced-lynyrd-skynyrd-too.4715/post-52891
I've got a small piece I can mail you if you shoot me PM. @Todd Anderson can vouch that I'm not a crazy person. We'll not in that way anyway.

Sure, that’s what they all say, lol

...and DOH on my part. You already offered help which I proceeded to ignore! I trust your judgement. That material just HAS to be better than what I’ve tried. Right now, it’s out of stock, but Seymour Screens has two grades of velvet material available for DIY that I may still buy for selective use in critical areas.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Some parts of your post are missing when I try to reply to it, @JStewart....

Thanks for the quick lesson in dog terminology. I’d never heard “pibbles” before and I couldn’t agree more—pit bulls and their mixes have a totally undeserved reputation. It’s not the dog that’s mean, it’s the owner’s who raise them inappropriately.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Oh happy day!! Great news!!!
Emotiva released their DIrac 2.0 version and is shipping kits. An external hardware interface is required this time around. I’m unfamiliar with details, but street talks as it that they goofed up their implementation and needed to develop a workaround.

In any case, I’m happy and excited I’ll be able to tune the room with Dirac’s superior correction algorithms rather than my own inadequate attempts using REW.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

T-minus 3 days and counting to projector and screen install. It’s going to be a good week!

 

[JStewart]

I'm hoping we haven't heard from you because you can't tear yourself away from enjoying the new set-up!!

Sure, that’s what they all say, lol

So true!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

If only that were the case. My parade got rained on when the installer had to postpone because of complications on another job. Moved to tomorrow afternoon.

So to help them out, I spent my late afternoon and a good part of the evening measuring, cutting, and applying my window-blackout film for the room’s 4 panes (Lol). The wet-down & squeegee process to remove air bubbles went smoother than I expected. But trimming the excess away from the frame was obviously less than perfect. Light still bleeds through thin lines around the circumference of each pane. Even though I used a fresh blade In my utility knife, it got snagged once in a while and tore the fabric in several places.

Only a small amount of light gets through the edges, and it’s only bothersome facing the back of the room. I should be able to get rid of the leaks after installing the new blackout curtains.

 

[JStewart]

My parade got rained on when the installer had to postpone because of complications on another job. Moved to tomorrow afternoon.

Edit: removed the gif. Hope the install is going according to plan.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

The light leaking around the edges of the blackout film is worse today because the 4 panels shrank a bit. I think painter’s tape may be just what the doctor ordered to seal up the rest.

EDIT: I wound up using black Gaffer’s tape, which didn’t stick to the film very well, but a little Gorilla Glue along the curled edges did the trick.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

The install went well until the two man crew couldn’t get the 85 pound screen to snap into its mounting rail. They found the rail/ceiling wasn’t level, so installed some wooden spacers. But they still couldn’t get it. Rescheduled again until their other team could assist. The young muscle they brought along helped, but the four of them still couldn’t latch the screen onto the rail. One of the newcomers noticed the screen case was also slightly bent. After adjusting the spacers the four of them were finally able to mount it correctly! Downside is they ran out of
time and will have to come back to finish hanging the projector and snaking cables.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Nice looking van... cool.

Even more cool is you guys standing on your head and hands like that.... I would done broke my neck for sure. What muscle... wow!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

It’s always nice to hear from you, Sonnie! But there’s something seriously off about me! The install was actually last week before my four day blitzkrieg, so I have many more pics to share. Maybe more of those will be less comical, lol.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

These images show the screen’s mounting spacers. Light from the TV passing between them really killed suspended disbelief, so I created a barrier out of cardboard and duct tape. That tape was only supposed to be temporary until the gaffing tape arrived, but I got impatient. I won’t be so happy come time to dismantle it all. My home made light shield also solved my earlier ceiling glare issue, at least for a foot or two. I’ll still need to address that later in the interest of suspended disbelief. Oh yeah almost forgot... I’m nether a handyman not a carpenter so the hack job you’ll see is entirely my fault!

After some spray paint

Oh my, something must be done! I’m waiting to see the projector in action before deciding on a final solution.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Here are a few pics of some misc projects. The first is a smart register booster with air deflector to keep patrons comfy. The second shows the final seal on the windows during the day, along with the curtains too hide the ugly mess I made out of that!

i

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Continuing to share recent progress, here are a few images of front stage work, cabling prep, etc. etc. ubs are on their side to replace stock footers with spikes.

My 2ch rig sans turntable appears on the right. AV components are on the left rack. Warm running gear is positioned on upper shelves to aid

This turns out to be the first run. I decided the next day to swap the McCormack monoblocks with the Seaton subs. Their response should be better away from the wall and closer to the L/C/R baffle plane. It was a rough decision these tired old ligaments and bones protested against—especially since all cablea were already routed, dressed, and cable tied—but I prioritized better sound over better (to me) looks.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

So... here’s the new layout,,plumbed and ready to go!