Smart Home and AV expert Homeplay created this attractive immersive home cinema space that delivers pure escapism thanks to professional quality audio from L-Acoustics, StormAudio, Screen Research, Control4, Lutron and Sony.
What makes this project particularly interesting is how Homeplay stepped into the role of main contractor, not just AV integrator, to take control of the entire build and deliver a seamless finish. It also reflects how demonstration experiences are shaping client decisions, with the system’s performance at L-Acoustics proving pivotal in sealing the deal. And while the result is a first-class home cinema, it has since evolved into something more, a multifunctional space the client values so much he now also uses it as his home office.
Tucked away inside a London townhouse in Westminster, what was once a lacklustre media room that has now been reborn as a fully immersive cinematic sanctuary, thanks to Surrey-based integrator Homeplay.
The transformation began after the client – already impressed with Homeplay’s lighting and automation work throughout the property – decided to overhaul the underwhelming media space. Poor sound quality, rattling walls and intrusive pipe noise had made the room virtually unusable.
“The room was pretty uninspiring and as such was completely unused,” recalls James Ratcliffe of Homeplay. To meet the client’s ambitious vision, the team at Homeplay stripped the room back to its bones, took on the role of main contractor and re-imagined the space from the ground up – integrating advanced acoustic treatments, managing structural upgrades and ultimately delivering an impressive home cinema powered by the sound of L-Acoustics.
One aspect of the project that was less challenging, was the choice of audio system. The client is a seasoned audiophile and has some very high-end speakers in another room that Homeplay had supplied, but he wanted something with a more dynamic, mid-forward sound for this space. He’d already heard the L-Acoustics system at the Homeplay showroom and was excited to visit L-Acoustics in Highgate for the full experience.
“The client is a music lover and was blown away by the experience at L-Acoustics,” adds James. “The sound creates such an intimate, immersive feeling of being there, right at the heart of the performance or in the middle of the action, that it’s hard to beat. He loved it, and that was that.”
Soka creates the value
The cinema room system now features three Soka on-wall loudspeakers, two Syva Subs and ten X4i, six for surrounds and four for height in a 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration. For the LCR channels, Soka were chosen due to their slim profile and shallow depth, the screen wall has two windows on it, which the customer wanted to keep in place. Homeplay created a fabric wall around the windows with wooden trim, which meant the Soka could be positioned perfectly with the left channel being beside the left window, right beside the right window and the centre being perfectly centred between the two windows. To make sure the subwoofers were in the right place, Homeplay created two window seats beneath these sash windows and hid two Syva Subs within these traps for the LFE channel so that again they were not seen but certainly heard and felt.
The whole system is powered by one L-Acoustics LA7.16i amplified controller delivering 1,300W per channel but only taking up 2U of rack space, a strong solution as space is at a premium in this central London home.
The audio system also includes a StormAudio Evo digital immersive sound processor, which offers up to 24-channel decoding and up-mixing of Dolby Atmos and other immersive sound formats. Both the LA7.16i and Evo support AES67 (the audio over IP format) so both devices are connected to one another over the network, which reduced cabling time for the Homeplay team and ensures a fully digital signal path. The audio is complemented by a Screen Research 3.3m 16:9 drop-down screen with black backing and a Sony 4K laser projector. Acoustic treatments are by Cinema Build Systems and the system is controlled by Control4 integrated with lighting and shading control by Lutron.
The installation, programming and configuration of the new system passed without a hitch, resulting in a very happy customer for Homeplay. “The client is really pleased with the result,” says James. “He uses the room for gaming, watching films and also enjoying his favourite music. It’s become a space where he genuinely enjoys spending time and relaxing. In fact, he loves the room so much that he’s just installed a desk behind the sofa and uses it as his home office now! We’re proud of how it turned out – especially the L-Acoustics audio system we’ve delivered. It sounds fantastic.”
A fine example
What makes this project stand out is not only the audio performance but also the way Homeplay took ownership of the entire build process, acting as main contractor delivers multiple benefits. That level of responsibility is a major advantage for both client and installer, ensuring that every detail works together without compromise and giving the customer a one call solution. It also underlines how powerful demonstrations remain in sealing projects, with the L-Acoustics experience proving decisive. Perhaps most interesting, however, is how this space has evolved beyond its original brief. No longer just a home cinema, it is now a multifunctional environment where work, leisure and entertainment coexist seamlessly. With more projects following this pattern, maybe we need to rethink its language ‘home cinema’ doesn’t always capture the flexibility and lifestyle value of these new types of multiuse rooms.
Essential Kit List Kit List
1x LA7.16i amplified controller
3x Soka
2x Syva Sub
6x X4i surround
4x X4i height
Storm ISP Evo
Screen Research 3.3m 16:9 drop down screen with black backing
Control4 Halo, Core 5, 7in in-wall touchscreen
Lutron Homeworks QSX lighting and shading control
Sony VPL-XW7000ES projector
Mikodam and Cinema Build System acoustic treatments