nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Studio-grade home theatre & music room

MastersR

🖼️

The project:

Stripping a standard room back to bare studs allowed for a decoupled, room-within-a-room audio-visual sanctuary. The build involved new framing, dense insulation, and sealing every single air gap. Absolute isolation was achieved by layering Mass Loaded Vinyl, 20mm timber battens, and Gyprock SoundChek. Custom ceiling Helmholtz resonators, fabric absorption panels, and corner bass traps provide striking visual and acoustic highlights for movies and music. Using the Bunnings sheet cutting service, custom speakers were made for a massive 21-driver system. The space is completed with rear curved slotted diffusers and an ultra-flat Dulux Silver Shores screen wall.

- Materials:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/project-panel-2400-x-1200mm-9mm-plywood-v-grooved-lining-panel_p0390169 https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-19mm-2-4m-dar-pine-premium_p8401458 https://www.bunnings.com.au/64-x-19mm-1-8m-dar-pine-premium-1-8m_p8401460 https://www.bunnings.com.au/89-x-19mm-2-4m-dar-pine-premium_p8401464 https://www.bunnings.com.au/140-x-19mm-1-8m-dar-pine-premium-1-8m_p8401466 https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-19mm-2-4m-dar-tasmanian-oak-select_p0070217

Dulux Weather shield Low Sheen Black
Dulux Silver Shores, ceiling flat, screen paint, applied with Wagner Spray Gun
A lot of various screws, bolts, nuts and washers
Door Handles, Hinges
Acoustic Door Seals
Electrical
4 x Lumio, Dimmable Downlights
Dimmer Mechs
GPO Outlets
GPO Black Wall Plates
XLR Wall Plates
New Circuit Breaker Install for entire room
Power Cabling
HDMI Cables
3 CORE shielded audio cable
2 x Low Profile Speaker Drivers
2 x Custom boxes built with bunnings 16mm MDF via cutting service
4 x Speaker Boxes constructed for side and rear channels with Bunnings 16mm MDF
Custom Built Centre Channel speaker with 18mm Bunnings Ply
Custom built 3 way Amplifier for center channel
XLR Sockets
RCA Socket
Sealant
Screws
=====Non Bunnings
MassLoaded Vinyl - Imported
Acoustic Fabric - Imported
Fabric Track - Imported
Siding Hardware for Window Acoustic Panel
Poly Stuffing
Martini Absorb XHD
Samsung Air Conditioning
New AC circuit pulled through

- Tools:

Numerous Clamps
Chisels
Tape Measures
Hand Saws, Files
Various Spirit Levels
Drill Bits, Forstner Bits, Router Bits
Various Plastering Knifes
Hire of Panel Lift

https://www.bunnings.com.au/for-hire-panel-lift-24hr_p5470204?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15302476717&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB8MyLFQ3RQm8yKyiinmFlKBO&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4JbTBhCoARIsALWUaBtfz6VkOnuT3HPOXY0yaA1K3cgU79s0eTktYoj-mBsF2AcJZTJo1mAaAhBAEALw_wcB

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-1200w-165mm-plunge-saw-ops-165_p0917975

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-2-x-1m-plunge-saw-guide-rail-ppt-2000_p0917977

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-850w-router_p6290281

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-8-14mm-stapler-nail-gun_p6290549

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-1200w-210mm-compound-mitre-saw_p6210392

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-compact-reciprocating-saw-tool-only_p0991763

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-280w-1-3-sheet-sander_p6210546

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-palm-sander-rps18-tool-only_p0371771

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-1250w-20l-wet-and-dry-vacuum_p6210653

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-8-piece-forstner-bit-set_p0354517

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-hp-brushless-compact-impact-driver-tool-only_p0919295

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-800w-13mm-corded-hammer-drill-rpd800-k_p6210471

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-400w-trim-router-rtr400-s_p6210607

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dewalt-360-degree-green-beam-cross-line-laser_p0043787

https://www.bunnings.com.au/wagner-w350-wood-and-metal-paint-sprayer_p0216877

https://www.bunnings.com.au/kreg-pocket-hole-jig-320_p0202875

- Step 1:

Modeling and Demolition..

Before cutting any timber, the room was modeled to scale in Microsoft Visio to manage interior tolerances and map project logistics. Speaker modeling software mathematically predicted room modes to determine optimal speaker placement zones, neutralizing low-frequency nodes before construction began. The old French doors were temporarily removed and the opening was structurally secured with an acrow prop beam, creating a wide access point for easily loading heavy building sheets into the zone. The original room can be seen here.

- Step 2:

With the room gutted to the raw studs, structural framing commenced using MGP10 timber. The high-mass Hume solid-core entry door was hung to establish the acoustic threshold, heavily reinforced with a specialized full-perimeter compression seal and an automatic drop seal at the bottom. The exposed ceiling rafters and primary electrical rough-ins are visible, including two high-speed HDMI cables hanging precisely where the projector will mount. A Ryobi wet and dry vacum maintained continuous site dust extraction. The Air conditioning piping was also roughed in at this stage

- Step 3:

High-density Earthwool SoundShield wall batts were packed tightly into the open stud cavities to maximize thermal and acoustic absorption. The entire room, including both walls and ceiling, was then wrapped in a heavy, continuous layer of imported Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) to block low-frequency transmission. Finally, a grid of 20mm timber battens was secured over the MLV. This created a decoupled air gap that prevents structural vibrations from bridging into the outer room shell.

- Step 4:

Gyprock SoundChek plasterboard was successfully hung and finished across the entire decoupled shell to lock in room mass. With the drywall complete, fabrication immediately began on eight custom-tuned Helmholtz resonators based on modern acoustic research. Using an Ozito Plunge Saw and Guide Rail, I cut the enclosures. Rather than single-frequency boxes, I engineered a multi-hole approach across the faces to vary the effective neck length, targeting a wider, highly critical low-frequency bandwidth. All holes were cut with Ryobi forstner bits

- Step 5:

Construction moved to the screen wall, framing out floor-to-ceiling corner bass traps fitted with internal acoustic waveguides, alongside a massive 1-meter-high under-screen absorber. The empty frames were stuffed with dense Earthwool R5 insulation and polyester batting to safely contain loose fibres. Across the floor, premium DAR Tasmanian Oak Select slats were laid out and cut using the Ryobi mitre saw, before being assembled over black fabric to form high-performance, mathematically spaced acoustic diffusion panels. All screws are aligned with the Dewalt laser level.

- Step 6:

To handle a window at the critical first reflection point, I built a custom sliding acoustic panel. Fabrication started in the garden, utilizing a Ryobi trim router to cut precise mechanical channels all the way around the timber framing. Once the core was packed with insulation and backing of MLV the heavy panel was hung on tracks, allowing it to glide into a hidden resonator channel. A heavy-duty Bunnings hardware sliding lock was integrated to rigidly secure the panel when deployed in its listening position.

- Step 7:

I fabricated the entire custom speaker array from detailed cut lists processed through the Bunnings In-Store Sheet Cutting Service. The heavy front centre channel was crafted from AA marine plywood, featuring a matte black sprayed fascia contrasted against beautiful Tung-oiled exposed ply edges. The massive low-profile subwoofer boxes were constructed out of 16mm standard MDF and fully lined internally with Mass Loaded Vinyl to eliminate cabinet resonance. Finally, custom MDF enclosures were assembled for the discrete side and rear surround channels.

- Step 8:

For the ceiling backing, 9mm V-Grooved plywood panels were installed over the 20mm battens, sealed with polyurethane acoustic sealant, and painted black. To scatter high-frequency reflections, I utilized 42mm primed MDF single-bevel mouldings painted in a low-reflective Dulux Weathershield Black. These mouldings were systematically spaced across the ceiling, intentionally alternating the direction of the bevelled edges to create an effective high-frequency scattering grid. The entire slat array is backed by a 50mm layer of dense acoustic insulation, Martini Absorb.

- Step 9:

The rear wall features a 800mm curved binary amplitude diffuser. Using my Ozito plunge saw, I cut 9mm V-Grooved plywood down to size. I printed out my scale Visio schematics to map out calculated hole sizes aligned with my Ryobi Forstner bit set. Every coordinate was transferred to the timber, bored, and treated with 6 coats of Gilly's Pure Tung Oil (72-hour intervals; 10-day dry). The finished wall panel mounts over a 50mm insulation core, completely hiding two custom surround speakers behind acoustic fabric.

- Step 10:

The final phase focused on wrapping the side walls, showing the fabric-wrapped window panel on the floor and the raw DAR Tasmanian Oak framing angling from the door into the left subwoofer enclosure. This milestone marks the end of an intensive three year construction journey that began during the lockdown era. Due to the highly advanced acoustics and the incredibly labor-intensive nature of hand-crafting every panel, resonator, and custom enclosure, this project demanded every single hour of my spare time to finally bring this studio-grade sanctuary to life. Time to enjoy some movies and music 😀

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Craft and Hobbies

Renovation

Lighting and Electrical

Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @MastersR. Many thanks for sharing your incredible home theatre build with us.

The amount of planning and craftsmanship that's gone into this project is exceptional. From the room-within-a-room construction and custom acoustic treatments to the handcrafted speakers and diffusion panels, you've created a space that's every bit as impressive as it is functional. The finished room looks fantastic, and your detailed write-up will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in high-performance home theatre design.

Thanks again for sharing your project.

Mitchell

MastersR

@MitchellMc thank you for the kind words. The write up is Hi-Level to keep it as short as i could, the planning side was just as time consuming as the the effort involved with the build side. The room has now been Hi-Jacked by the teenagers for gaming and movies with their friends.

EricL

Hello @MastersR

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the amount of effort and detail that you've put into this home theatre set up. I can understand why your kids have hi-jacked the room; I probably would as well.😁

Let me tag @Prof as I'm sure he would be impressed with your set up as well.

Eric

MastersR

Thanks for feedback @EricL appreciate it 😊

chriskuta

Looks really great, bet it sounds good too. You've inspired me to up my room acoustics game in my home theatre :)

EricL

Hello @chriskuta

Let me tag @MastersR to make them aware of your kind words. I totally agree, it is truly an inspirational build! The amount of detail put into the build is just impressive. Should you decide to do a similar upgrade, please don't forget to post photo updates for the community.

Eric

MastersR

Hi @chriskuta appreciate the feedback, aesthetics was a byproduct of the acoustic design process with the sonics being the main goal and also not disturbing the rest of the house and the neighbor's when enjoying the space. Taking on a project like this would require a lot of commitment. I still have some final elements to complete.

Prof

A very impressive setup MastersR..

A very well designed and crafted home theatre.!!

I was very surprised to see that you had used Helmholtz resonators..Not many home theatres use that sort of acoustic technology these days..

When I built my last home theatre I looked into the Helmholtz design, but I found that it was too involved so I looked for a different type of acoustic setup..I finished up using floor to ceiling half round tube traps..They work very well..

Very nice job on the timber horn..You are obviously not an amateur when it comes to timber work.!!

I would be interested to hear what type of cabinet design and the drivers you used for the side and surround speakers.?

Congratulations on a job well done…

Prof..

MastersR

Hi @Prof, thank you and appreciate your words.

The resonators took a while to get right, lots of ways to tame acoustics.

As with all things audio, constraint and compromise dictate the outcome. Main constraint in this build was the room size, another 1m in width would have change what drivers i would have used, the voicing would be the same everywhere. Alas, compromise took over and needed to find very low profile woofers for the sides. I ended up using Dayton Low Profile subs, that were mounted into the acoustic panels, you can read a nice article here from Vance Dickason on them. Sides are using JBL drivers and everything has been done in sealed enclosures to give a tight response.

The main Front, Left and Right are Lenard Audio Sarabandes (4 way active), these have 2 x 12 inch drivers for sub per box. So all up the room has 4 Subs. The centre lower driver is matched with the front and left to ensure the front has the same sonic voicing. As well as the mids from around 1.1k up, all use same compression driver. Every driver has its own amplifier. SIdes are all crossed over around 90hz.

Prof

WOW.!! they are some high tech front speakers.!!

I've not heard of the Lenard brand before..Admittedly I've been out of the business for a long time now..and I'm not up with the latest..

I can only guess how expensive they are..Reading the specs it was like looking at the Rolls Royce of speakers.!!

Being a DIY guy..I've always built my own speakers..and many years ago started a speaker manufacturing business in Adelaide...

For this theatre I decided to go with folded horns.. including the subwoofer..

I know your frustration of having a small room..The only room I had available in this home was the second bedroom which measures 2.8M wide x 3.5M long. The screen which is 2.5M. wide just about takes up the whole width of the room.! Consequently there was no space left for front speakers

so I had to buy an acoustically transparent screen and put the speakers behind it..

There wasn't even any room for an equipment rack, so I had to have it in the master bedroom wall cabinet..

I don't have any side drivers in my walls as the curved wall traps take up a lot of room..

I bought some German bookshelf speakers for the surrounds that weigh a ton.!! I mounted them on thick steel angle brackets which are now gradually starting to bend.!!

Enjoy your Rolls Royce theatre.!!

MastersR

Hey @Prof, sounds like you have a nice setup yourself, folded horns would be nice for subs. I would have preferred to put everything behind a transparent screen or infinite baffle, choices dictated by what space your have available.

All the sides are on battens attached to the studs, the battens have 8mm PE between them to reduce any vibration.

Those main Fronts have been with me for since the 2000's, traded for web design skills back then. Those guys have been around since the 60's big in the PA and AMP scene in that period, history here

I got into acoustics out of curiosity, first read F. Alton Everest, the Master Handbook of Acoustics. a lot of maths that can quickly go over your head, though good for gaining the principles and problem areas. For this build i also referenced a lot of John Brandt's studio design reference materials which can be found here.

The end goal is the reward for DIY, spend half your weekends going back n fourth to Bunnings, scratching your head on the next the problem to solve and adjusting your plans as you go along. Getting someone else to do it would be no fun and cost a fortune.

Prof

I think the reason I didn't recognise the Lenard brand is because I never got into rock music or PA gear..

In the 70's I was getting into stereo systems..I went to the library and read every book I could find on audio and stereo..

I finished up designing and installing stereo systems for custom installations in private homes..

It was from that time I first got into home theatre..Along the way I bought a TV that was the first Widescreen TV in Australia that had been imported from Holland..This TV had a 32"wide screen TV ( the biggest that was a available in those days was a 24" 3:4 ratio ) had every feature you can image including front and back speakers and a sub..all provided with the TV..

That was it.! I was hooked on home theatre..and four theatres later..here we are…

In the earlier years I joined the AVS forum in the US and gained more information that helped me along the way..Later the knowledge and information I had gained I was able to help others..

One thing I wanted to ask you..Did you calibrate the audio side yourself or have some one do it.?

MastersR

HI @Prof ,

That's a good story about getting the 1st Widescreen, they certainly dont make them like that anymore. AVS Forum def had some good threads going on there.

Certainly moved on since those early stereo only days. I was almost tempted to go the Atmos route, though the additional overheads and a new processor was one budget item too far.

Calibration was done using SPL meter, Excel Calcs, laser distances. Then using the free tools such REW with a measurement mic across various locations within the room, a fair amount of manual PEQ adjustments. I usually, free field the speakers first(in the garden) or surrounded by lots of insulation to dial x-over gains in before doing any EQ adjustments. Of course, the final curve is down to taste.

Prof

Hi MastersR…

I also used the SPL meter for sound levels..but I also have a comprehensive audio calibration program through my projector.!!

It's been sometime since I used it..Once everything was calibrated I've hardly looked at it since..Can't even remember the name of it off hand..

I'll be using the projector in the next couple of days so I'll let you know the name of the program then..