Rich walks you through the critical Detailed Design & Final Prep Phase of your home theater build. This is where you stop planning and start committing—the make-or-break phase that separates successful theater builds from expensive mistakes. Learn what to tackle now, what to think about, and what you can safely ignore until later.

Key Topics Covered

Detailed Room Layout & Mockup

1. Creating precise layouts from rough sketches
2. Proper viewing angles (30-40 degrees max off-center)
3. Speaker placement at seated ear height
4. Using painter's tape to mock up everything before building

Core Gear Shopping

1. Display options: projector + screen vs large OLED/LCD TVs
2. AV receiver selection and HDMI 2.1 port planning
3. Starting with 5.1 speaker systems
4. Cable and streaming device essentials

Technical Planning

1. Acoustic panel placement at first reflection points
2. Bass trap positioning in corners
3. Bias lighting setup behind screens
4. Wiring runs and conduit planning

DIY Riser Construction

1. Simple 2x8 framing with plywood tops
2. Cost breakdown: ~$80 in lumber + $40 carpet
3. Weekend build timeline and construction tips

Tools & Resources Mentioned

Design Software

1. SketchUp (free web version)
2. RoomSketcher
3. Graph paper (1/4" = 1' scale)

Shopping Sources

1. Crutchfield (great customer service and returns)
2. Best Buy (hands-on product viewing)
3. Amazon (cables and accessories)
4. Menards (building materials)

Community Resources

1. DIY Garage Bars, Man Caves & More Facebook Group
2. r/hometheater subreddit
3. AVS Forum

Specific Product Mentions

1. Govee LED strips for bias lighting (~$25)
2. Projector throw-distance calculators (Google search)
3. CL2/CL3 rated in-wall speaker wire
4. 12-gauge wire for runs under 50 feet

Key Takeaways

✅ Do Now:

1. Lock in detailed layout with precise measurements
2. Mock up everything with painter's tape
3. Buy core gear (display, receiver, speakers, cables)
4. Plan acoustic panel and lighting placement
5. Finalize wiring runs and conduit needs
6. Build risers if doing multiple rows
7. Get community feedback on your layout
8. Check local permit requirements

❌ Don't Worry About Yet:

1. Expensive acoustic packages ($3K+ systems)
2. Final speaker mounting and wire pulls
3. Paint colors and wall finishes
4. Precise audio calibration
5. All seating purchases (unless building custom risers)

Cost Breakdowns Mentioned

1. DIY acoustic panels: ~$150 for 12 panels
2. Basic riser build: ~$80 lumber + $40 carpet
3. Bias lighting: ~$25 for LED strips
4. Professional riser alternative: ~$1,000+

Next Episode Preview

Demolition and framing techniques, common mistakes that cost time and money, and how to demo without bringing down your house.

Connect With Us

1. Join the DIY Garage Bars, Man Caves & More Facebook Group (nearly 1 million members!)
2. Share your layout pics for feedback from Rich and the community
3. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other DIYers find the show

"The best theater room is the one you actually finish." - Rich