Concealed Home Cinema, Northampton

When this customer first visited our showroom in December 2023, they knew they wanted a projector-based home cinema but needed expert guidance to bring the project together. Their goal was to retain the aesthetics of their living room while enjoying a truly cinematic experience, with all of the technology hidden away when not in use.

Working with a square 5m x 5m room centred around a feature fireplace, the customer wanted advice on everything from screen size and projector selection to speaker positioning and surround sound. They also had one eye on the budget, asking where it was worth investing to achieve the biggest improvement in performance.

As with many of our projects, we worked closely with the customer's builders and electricians throughout the installation, providing wiring guidance and layout drawings to ensure everything was prepared before the room was finished.

• Pure Theatre CR240 Ceiling Recessed Projector Screen
• Pure Theatre CR50 Projector Lift
• Epson EH-LS11000W 4K Laser Projector
• Arcam AVR11 AV Receiver
• 2 × JBL Conceal C83 Invisible Speakers (Front Left & Right)
• 2 × JBL Conceal C62 Invisible Speakers (Surround Left & Right)
• 2 × JBL Conceal C62 Invisible Speakers (Dolby Atmos Height)
• REL HT/1003 Subwoofer

One of the biggest decisions was balancing performance with practicality. The customer was initially considering several screen sizes and was undecided between a lamp-based projector and a laser model. With the primary seating position just over three metres from the screen, we advised on the ideal viewing angle and throw distance before recommending the combination that would deliver the most immersive experience without overwhelming the room.

To preserve the clean, contemporary appearance of the living space, concealment became a key part of the design. A Pure Theatre CR240 Ceiling Recessed Projector Screen disappears completely into the ceiling when not in use, while the Epson EH-LS11000W projector is housed within a Pure Theatre CR50 Projector Lift, keeping both the screen and projector hidden until movie night begins.

Audio was another area where the customer wanted guidance. Having little previous knowledge of surround sound or Dolby Atmos, we designed a discreet system using JBL Conceal invisible speakers. The front left and right channels utilise larger C83 invisible speakers for a powerful soundstage, while C62 invisible speakers provide the surround and overhead Atmos channels. Once plastered and decorated, the speakers become completely invisible, allowing the room's interior design to take centre stage without sacrificing audio performance.

Throughout the build, we worked directly with the customer's builders and electricians, supplying wiring guides and installation advice to ensure every cable and fixing point was in exactly the right place before the walls and ceilings were completed.

The completed room perfectly captures what modern home cinema can be. By combining concealed technology with carefully planned interior design, the space functions as an elegant everyday living room before transforming into a dedicated cinema at the touch of a button.

The rich dark décor, feature fireplace and bespoke cabinetry create a warm, luxurious atmosphere, while the hidden projector, recessed screen and invisible speakers ensure the technology never dominates the room. When deployed, the system reveals a stunning projected image supported by immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound, delivering a cinematic experience that belies the room's understated appearance.

This project is an excellent example of how thoughtful planning and early collaboration can seamlessly integrate high-performance home cinema into a contemporary living space, proving that you don't need a dedicated cinema room to enjoy truly exceptional entertainment.