Essential Install | Case Study
The 75in Sony 4K LED TV is flat mounted using a Future Automation PF65 bracket
The brief specified a professional quality DJ system
Multi-media marvels
The stylish design of a living room, featuring a DJ booth and state-of-the-art AV capabilities, has been recognised at the 2017 CEDIA Awards. Lisbon-based technology integrator, Life Emotions, won the Best Media Room £20,000-£80,000 category for its creative execution of the brief. The client wanted to create a bright, modern living area where they could relax and enjoy their hobbies of music, films, and watching football. The brief specified a professional quality DJ system; high-end audio and TV, with the ability to stream music and 4K video throughout the property and outside area; and storage for an extensive vinyl and CD collection.
One of Life Emotions first priorities was to investigate the available space to ensure the optimum sound quality would be achieved in the end design. Initial acoustic tests were poor and resulted in a change of room layout. Elegant Vicoustic acoustic panels have been fitted onto the wall, either side of the screen location. Made of two parts, each panel can be rotated in different directions to achieve a uniform, omni-directional scattering of sound, enabling effective diffusion without too much absorption. The DJ booth comprises two Pioneer CDJ-850 digital decks, a DJM-750 four channel mixer with a tempo-synced effects section, and a precision engineered PLX-1000 turntable. The decks feature full-sized jog wheels, a large display enabling fast music identification and selection, and pro-DJ features. They are capable of playing WAV, AIFF, MP3, and AAC files, have a CD drive which can read audio CDs, as well as CD-R/RW, and a USB port providing connectivity with other external devices. The client’s music library is catalogued using Pioneer’s rekordbox music management programme. The integrator set the booth within a bespoke furniture unit which also houses the AV rack. On the wall hangs a slim 75in Sony 4K LED display for the client to watch sport and films. The size was selected based on optimising the distance from screen to the couch. With four times the detail of Full HD, and a resolution of over 8 million pixels, the display offers real
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Essential Install | Case Study
Essential Kit List
The clients love of music and films inspired the design
The client’s vast music collection is proudly on display
depth and clarity to images, along with eye-catching colours. The TV is flat mounted using a discreet Future Automation PF65 bracket. Life Emotions chose a pair of Sonus Faber Venere 2.0 acoustic speakers to provide outstanding audio output. The speakers are stylishly designed, with a wood finish, which perfectly complements the wood furniture in the room. A key element of the project was the ability to stream music and video around the property so the owner can enjoy personalised content, from his Apple TV or Netflix, Spotify, Tidal, and iTunes accounts, wherever he is located. To achieve this, the integrator has specified an HDanywhere mHub 4K, Sonos Connect for music streaming and AudioControl P2260 twelve channel multizone high-power amplifier. Control of all the AV system in the room has been integrated through a Savant home automation system, at the heart of which is a Savant SmartHost controller. The HVAC systems, which are managed using a Basalte Deseo intelligent design thermostat, have also been incorporated into Savant through a KNX interface. The occupants can easily and intuitively operate sound, vision, lighting, and heating/air con either by using a single Savant PRO remote or the intuitive Savant app on an Apple device. The app helps create instant ambiance, such as mood lighting for film nights and can store a personalised profile for individual users providing fast access to favourite scenes or settings.
• APC AP7723 • APC SURT1000XLI • Apple 64GB • Audio control P2260 • Audioquest Forest Digcoax 1.5M • Audioquest pearl (3M) • Basalte Deseo White - KNX/EIB • Cisco AIR-AP1832I • Cisco SG200-26P • Future Automation PF65 • Hdanywhere mHhub 4K 4X4 • Hdanywhere Platina HDMI 4K (1.5M) • Hdanywhere Platina HDMI 4K (1M) • Life Emotions GW • Martin Logan Dynamo 1000W • Middle Atlantic rack 5-14-26 • Pakedge P8-EU power distribution unit • Pioneer CDJ-850-K • Pioneer DJM-750-K • Pioneer PLX-1000 • Savant SSA-3220D Matrix • Savant SS-HST-SAVANT2-00 • Savant SS-REM-1000-00 Pro Remote • Sonos Connect • Sonus Faber Venere 2.0 Wood • Sony 4K HDR 75’’ FW-75XD8501 • STB Box • Vicoustic Multifuser Wood 36 White
The integrator wanted to ensure the power supply was robust for the media room and so chose to install two direct energy power sources from the main electrical panel that are managed by an ATS and UPS from APC. A power distribution unit from Pakedge manages all equipment on the rack. If one of the sources fails, the integrator is notified, and the system automatically changes to the other source. The power outlets allow remote control and sequence ‘power on’ if there is a system failure, which facilitates service support. The equipment is conveniently stored within a Middle Atlantic Slim 5 Series rack frame system which has been customised to fit within the room furniture, allowing easy management, while hiding undesirable wires and cables. The project successfully combines functionality with aesthetics. In addition to building a stunning, contemporary living space the client can enjoy extensive, high-quality music and video whether they’re in the gym, bedroom, or garden. Despite the range of services on offer, they are easily accessible through a single interface. From the judges’ perspective, Life Emotions delivered ‘A multi-functional room, which boasts impressive kit and was documented extremely well.’ More information: Life Emotions, +351 210 96 22 99 life-emotions.pt
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