A Definitive Home Theater Q&A

One of the most common reasons people hesitate to build a true home theater is space.
The room feels too small.
The ceilings too low.
The footprint too tight to deliver a real cinematic experience.

This project challenged that assumption head-on.

What began as an awkwardly shaped basement room evolved into a fully immersive home theater—designed with intention, precision, and a clear focus on performance. Working closely with the client, our engineering team, and trusted partners, Definitive Expert Bryce helped transform an underused space into a room where movies don’t just play—they take over.

To understand how it came together, we spoke with both Bryce and the client about the journey, the challenges, and what’s possible when you stop designing to size and start designing to purpose.

Seeing Potential Where Others See Limits

When Bryce first looked at the space, confidence didn’t come from square footage—it came from curiosity.

“It really grew as we went through the process,” Bryce explains. “At first, the expectation was a fairly traditional theater, similar to a room we had done for them years earlier. But as excitement built and we involved engineering and vendor partners, it became clear the room had more potential than anyone initially assumed.”

For the client, the motivation was deeply personal.

Their basement family room had become a central gathering space—used almost daily for shows, movies, and games—but it was working against them. Seating distance limited screen size. Surround sound wasn’t practical. The layout forced compromises everywhere.

“We loved our home, but this room just wasn’t living up to how much time we spent there,” they shared. “We went to Definitive hoping to spark ideas for how to get around the awkward shape.”

That spark came quickly.

During their first conversation, Bryce suggested something unexpected: two rows of seating. Suddenly, the room wasn’t a limitation—it was a design challenge worth solving.

Designing With, Not Around, the Client

One of the defining aspects of this project was how involved the client chose to be. They handled the construction themselves, rebuilding walls and ensuring everything was perfectly plumb.

From Bryce’s perspective, this added complexity—but also elevated the outcome.

“Coordinating schedules and design details took real effort,” he says. “But that level of involvement meant every decision was intentional. When it all came together, the pride they felt was incredible.”

That partnership mattered to the client just as much.

“It felt like we were collaborators,” they explained. “Bryce wasn’t just selling gear. He understood our intent and often suggested better solutions that achieved more without unnecessary expense.”

Performance First, Comfort Always

In a space where every inch mattered, performance took priority—but never at the expense of livability.

With two rows of seating and acoustics dictating the rear row as the main listening position, one compromise was unavoidable: headroom.

“I’m about 6’7”,” the client joked. “I have to duck a bit getting into my seat—but it’s completely worth it.”

To balance that tradeoff, comfort became critical. Plush, supportive seating from Cinematech ensured that once seated, the room disappeared—and the experience took over.

When the Technology Disappears

Ask Bryce what he’s most proud of, and the answer isn’t a specific component.

“It’s how invisible everything became.”

The screen fills nearly the entire front wall. Speakers vanish into columns. Subwoofers are hidden behind the screen and built into the riser. Aside from the projector at the rear of the room, the technology fades away entirely.

Add acoustical isolation—separate walls, a 300-pound door isolated from the hallway—and the room becomes remarkably quiet.

“Once you’re inside,” the client says, “you leave the outside world behind.”

Living With the Theater

Today, the theater is part of everyday life.

Almost nightly episodes. Seahawks games on the big screen. Movie marathons. Gaming sessions with the kids.

“We barely go to movie theaters anymore,” they admit. “The experience at home is just more comfortable—and honestly, the quality feels similar.”

There was one unexpected side effect.

“We’re now the popular house,” they laughed. “Our daughter hosts sleepovers, and the theater gets taken over.”

“My Room Is Too Small”