The Vision
A True Cinema for a Multi-Generational Home
This renovation project focused on creating a dedicated home theater for a multi-generational family living in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. With eight family members in the home and frequent daily use, the goal was to design a theater that delivered reference-grade performance while remaining intuitive, comfortable, and reliable.
This space was designed for more than movie nights. The family regularly gathers to watch live sports, including Formula One race weekends, where clarity, scale, and immersion matter just as much as cinematic impact. From the sound of engines at full throttle to dialogue-driven films and major sporting events, the room needed to perform across a wide range of content.
Seating for twelve. Immersive surround sound. Thoughtful lighting. And a control system that made operating the room effortless for everyone in the household.
This was not a media room. It was designed from the ground up as a dedicated home theater.
The Challenge
Transforming a Former Golf Simulator Into a Cinema
The space originally served as a golf simulator and featured a partially excavated basement layout. While the footprint offered opportunity, it was never designed for cinematic acoustics, controlled lighting, or immersive audio performance.
The challenge was to completely reimagine the room. Acoustics needed to be engineered, not improvised. Speaker placement, subwoofer deployment, seating geometry, and lighting all had to be designed intentionally to support both film and live broadcast content such as Formula One, where speed, motion, and dynamic sound demand precision.
Every decision needed to hold up to heavy, daily use by a large household.
Our Approach
Designing the Theater From the Ground Up
The Sound Vision designed this theater as a complete system rather than a collection of components. From early planning through final calibration, the room was engineered to perform as a cohesive environment.
Custom acoustic treatment was designed specifically for the space and integrated using fabric-wrapped panels that improve dialogue intelligibility, surround imaging, and low-frequency control. This level of acoustic precision is critical for both cinematic content and live sports viewing.
Cove lighting was designed into the ceiling and fully integrated into the Crestron Home system, allowing the room to transition smoothly from entry to previews to feature presentation or race start with a single command.
Reference-Grade Audio
Film, Sports, and Formula One Performance
At the core of the theater is a high-performance surround sound system built around Triad Gold Series speakers. The system features eleven channels of surround sound, powered by Anthem amplification and processing using a dedicated amplifier and processor configuration.
Low-frequency performance is delivered by two 18-inch subwoofers, providing the scale and impact needed for action films while maintaining the speed and control required for Formula One viewing. Engine notes remain tight and articulate rather than bloated or fatiguing, even during extended race coverage.
The result is a sound system that delivers clarity, dynamics, and immersion across every seat in the room.
Seating, Lighting, and Comfort
Built for Real-World Use
The theater accommodates twelve viewers using United Leather theater seating, selected for comfort, durability, and long-term use. Sightlines, row spacing, and viewing angles were carefully planned so every seat feels intentional, whether guests are watching a two-hour film or a full race weekend.
Integrated cove lighting enhances the architectural character of the room while supporting practical use. Lighting scenes controlled through Crestron Home allow the space to adapt instantly from casual viewing to full cinematic immersion.
Project Details and Technical Highlights
Location
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Project Type
Dedicated home theater renovation
System Integrator
The Sound Vision
Automation and Control
- Crestron Home theater control
Audio System
- Triad Gold Series speakers
- Eleven-channel surround sound configuration
- Anthem amplification and processing with separate amplifier and processor
- Dual 18-inch subwoofers
Acoustics and Lighting
- Custom fabric-wrapped acoustic treatment
- Integrated cove lighting scenes
Seating and Layout
- United Leather theater seating for twelve
- Room layout designed for heavy daily use by a multi-generational household
The Results
A Theater Designed to Be Used
Today, the space bears little resemblance to its former life as a golf simulator.
What was once a utilitarian lower-level room is now a purpose-built cinema designed for immersion, comfort, and reliability. Dialogue is clear. Surround effects are enveloping. Bass is powerful but controlled. Lighting enhances the experience without distraction.
Most importantly, the theater is used often. By everyone. Movie nights, major sporting events, and Formula One race weekends have become shared experiences in a space designed to bring people together.
Designing Dedicated Home Theaters That Perform in the Real World
A true home theater is not defined by equipment alone. It is the result of thoughtful room design, proper acoustic engineering, reliable control, and systems that are built to be used every day.
The Sound Vision specializes in dedicated home theater design and smart home integration for homeowners who want spaces that feel intentional, refined, and built to last.
Ready to Create a Theater Like This in Your Home?
If you are renovating an existing space or planning a dedicated home theater in Bloomfield Hills or the surrounding area, The Sound Vision would welcome the opportunity to discuss your vision.
Whether your goal is cinematic movie nights, immersive sports viewing, or a Formula One race-day experience that feels larger than life, we design and integrate systems that deliver performance without complexity.
Contact The Sound Vision to begin the conversation and explore what is possible when design, acoustics, and control are treated as one.
Systems:
Theater
Lighting
Acoustic panels
Theater chairs
