Genelec perfects sound for upmarket home theater project

The owner of a bespoke mansion in the textile capital of Tamil Nadu in India has turned to Genelec to overcome the challenges in creating a full Dolby Atmos home cinema experience in the home’s integral cinema.

The house was designed by the PR Design Group, but the client turned to entertainment and smart home automation specialists, Cinespa by Mark Technologies to equip the cinema space, which houses sixteen Genelec loudspeakers to provide a 9.1.6 ATMOS format.

But the installation was not without its challenges.

“The client would have preferred to implement both Auro 3-D and Dolby Atmos formats but due to the A/C duct positioning, we didn’t have sufficient height for loudspeaker placement for Auro 3-D, plus there was no rack space available outside the room,” says Cinespa owner Sreni. “Our only option was for an actively powered system. Genelec was the ideal solution in a Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 format.”

The installation includes three S360s housed behind the screen which act as the L/C/R system while six AIW26 in-wall loudspeakers provide transparent surround sound at the sides and rear of the room. In addition, six 8340 smart active loudspeakers are installed in the ceiling to provide height and to complete the immersive 9.1.6 configuration.

A 7382 subwoofer can be found beneath the screen along with all of the processing and media automation equipment which is hidden behind a wooden screen.

“The only place for any equipment was beneath the screen, so we had to do a lot of work to ensure there was sufficient ventilation,” explains Sreni. “It wasn’t easy but I’m very proud of what we achieved.

“They loved the natural sound of Genelec loudspeakers and insisted that nothing else would do.”

“During our first detailed meeting and demonstration at our immersive showroom, the whole family opted for the best configuration with absolutely no compromise – they loved the natural sound of Genelec loudspeakers and insisted that nothing else would do. It was a privilege to work on such a prestigious project which is surely one of the best home theater rooms in India.”