What We Build
Home Theater Design That Goes Beyond Equipment Lists
Most homeowners who've worked with a competent home theater installer in NJ before know the difference between a room with expensive equipment and a room that actually performs. A proper home theater is an acoustic space first. the equipment list comes second. Speaker placement, room treatment, screen size and gain, projector throw distance, sight lines from every seat. these are engineering decisions that determine whether a room delivers an immersive cinematic experience or an expensive disappointment.
Restrepo Innovations designs home theaters from first principles. We model rooms acoustically before specifying speakers. We calculate screen size based on seating distance, not on what fits the budget. We select projectors based on room dimensions, ambient light conditions, and target image quality. not on what's easiest to install. And we build in the control system from the beginning, so the theater operates with a single button press rather than a sequence of inputs and remote controls.
The result is a room that earns its investment. one that delivers a reference experience at home comparable to what professional screening rooms provide, tuned to your specific space and preferences rather than a generic template.
Our Equipment Standard
What Goes Into a Restrepo Innovations Home Theater
Equipment selection in a home theater is interdependent. the projector, screen, speaker array, room treatment, and control system must be selected and calibrated as a system, not assembled from separate vendor relationships. Our standard specification for a dedicated home theater in Bergen County typically includes the following.
| Category | Our Specification | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Projection | Sony VPL-XW series native 4K laser projectors | Native 4K SXRD panels deliver authentic resolution without pixel shifting. Laser light sources provide 20,000+ hours of stable brightness with no lamp maintenance. |
| Screen | Stewart Filmscreen, Screen Innovations, or Seymour-Screen Excellence | Screen gain, acoustics, and masking capability must match the room. Acoustically transparent screens allow speakers behind the screen for proper center-channel placement. |
| Speakers | JBL Synthesis multi-channel arrays | JBL Synthesis is the reference standard for dedicated home theater audio. engineered to ISF and THX standards, capable of reference SPL levels with precision imaging. |
| Processing | Trinnov Altitude or Anthem AVM series | Room correction and object-based audio processing (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) that adapts the speaker calibration to the actual acoustic behavior of your room. |
| Control | Crestron automation | One-button scene launching. the correct HDMI source, projector, screen, lighting preset, and HVAC adjustment triggered simultaneously. No manual input juggling. |
| Acoustics | GIK Acoustics, Acoustimac, or custom millwork panels | Absorption, diffusion, and bass trapping integrated into the room design. panels built into millwork that looks intentional rather than applied after the fact. |
| Seating | Seatcraft, Salamander, or custom spec | Row positioning, riser height, and sightline calculations to ensure every seat has an unobstructed view at the correct vertical angle to screen center. |
Our Design Process
How We Design a Home Theater from the Ground Up
A home theater project in NJ. whether a new basement cinema or a dedicated room in a Bergen County estate. follows a structured process that ensures the finished room performs as designed, not as estimated.
Room Assessment & Acoustics
We evaluate the room's dimensions, construction, and HVAC before specifying any equipment. Ideal ratios exist for length, width, and ceiling height that minimize problematic bass modes. If the room is still in design, we can influence these dimensions with the architect or builder.
Screen & Projector Calculation
Screen width is calculated from the seating distance using SMPTE and THX guidelines for immersion at the back row and visual comfort at the front. Projector throw distance is then matched to screen size and room geometry to identify the right lens and mounting position.
Speaker Placement Modeling
For Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object audio, we model the speaker array in 3D before installation. front LCR placement, surround and rear surround angles, overhead speaker positioning, and subwoofer placement to minimize room modes. This determines the in-wall and in-ceiling rough-in locations during pre-wire.
Interior Design Coordination
We work directly with the interior designer or architect to ensure acoustic panels, speaker grilles, screen masking, and equipment are integrated into a cohesive interior rather than added to it. Acoustic treatment should look like millwork, not foam.
Installation & Calibration
Equipment is installed to the pre-wire plan, then calibrated using acoustic measurement software (REW, Dirac) to optimize the room's frequency response. We calibrate to reference level using professional test tones and measurement microphones. the same process used in commercial film mixing stages.
Client Screening & Handoff
We commission the theater with the client present. screening content they know well to verify the system delivers their expectations. We walk through the Crestron interface, explain the content sources, and address any remaining adjustments before calling the project complete.
Room Types
Home Theater Environments We Design Across NJ
Bergen County's residential market spans a wide range of property types. from finished basements in Ridgewood colonials to purpose-built cinema wings in Alpine estates. Each environment presents different acoustic challenges and design opportunities.
Dedicated Cinema Rooms
A purpose-built space, often in a lower level, designed from the ground up as a professional screening environment with acoustic construction, complete darkness control, and reference-grade equipment.
Basement Theaters
Finished basement conversions are the most common home theater project in Bergen County. With proper acoustic treatment, correct equipment sizing, and isolation from HVAC noise, a basement can deliver a truly immersive experience.
Media Rooms & Family Rooms
Multi-purpose spaces that serve both everyday TV viewing and cinematic experiences. These require careful equipment selection that balances ambient light performance with acoustic quality, and interfaces that work for all family members.
Above-Garage Rooms
Second-floor bonus rooms over garages are excellent theater candidates. typically isolated from main living areas, with good dimensions and the possibility of high ceilings for overhead Atmos speakers.
For Bergen County homeowners considering a home theater as part of a broader smart home project, we integrate the cinema room with the whole-home automation system. same Crestron platform, same app, consistent experience across all zones. For commercial clients needing screening rooms or executive presentation theaters, our Commercial division handles those projects under our design-build process.
Where We Work