From a reference-grade Atmos cinema to an immersive garden audio system, this DbM brand-based installation showcases how Barco, Trinnov, Meridian and Ambisonic work together to create exceptional entertainment experiences both indoors and out for YouTube sensation MrWhoseTheBoss.
Integrating Barco Residential projection, Trinnov processing, Meridian DSP loudspeakers and Ambisonic outdoor audio, install company FSG-AV turned to DbM to draw on its design and specification expertise and portfolio of premium products to create a seamless entertainment ecosystem flowing from the cinema to multiple zones throughout the home and garden.
When Arun Maini – also known as MrWhoseTheBoss to 21+ million YouTube subscribers – commissioned FSG-AV to deliver his dream home, the brief was uncompromising, “Give me the absolute best, with performance driving every decision.”
The project evolved organically. What began as a cinema room quickly expanded as possibilities emerged.
Simon Elliott of FSG-AV took a collaborative approach, “These things were done in sort of a gradual introduction. It was very much ‘this is what you could do. If you don’t want to do it, it’s fine. We can scale it back.’ Nothing was ever set in stone from the outset.”
Two distinct entertainment zones took shape: a state-of-the-art cinema and a multi-zone garden audio system, each optimised for its environment while achieving seamless integration throughout.
The Cinema Room
The cinema system brings together industry-leading components, all complementing one another. Simon’s choice of Barco Residential for projection was immediate, “I’m a big fan of Barco. I’ve used it for the last 30 years.” The Bragi projector delivers commercial-grade performance with UHD resolution, an amazing colour gamut and a stunning contrast ratio. The Bragi was perfectly suited to the screen size, and its low operational noise meant it could be installed within the room, significantly reducing potential complications during the installation.
For video processing, the Lumagen Radiance Pro ensures every source – from Arun’s wide range of gaming consoles to various streaming services – is output at optimal quality regardless of its native resolution.
Arun has made several videos highlighting the project
The Cinema Room Detail
The Trinnov Altitude 16 handles audio processing duties, with room correction and channel routing that enables Meridian’s High Power Array (HPA) configuration – where multiple speakers work as a unified channel to deliver exceptional output and precision.
The system combines the impressive output of the HPA with additional full-range sound from the surround speakers and their augmenting subwoofers. The Trinnov Altitude 16 – considered the gold standard for audio processing – uses its Room Optimiser to ensure that sound moves seamlessly around the room with exceptional bass throughout. The sense of scale is genuinely breathtaking.
Meridian Integration
The Meridian 271 Digital Theatre Controller bridges the two ecosystems, allowing Meridian’s digital speakers to work with Trinnov’s processor.
The complete cinema system features:
- Nine DSP750 in High Power Array configuration (front channels)
- Eight DSP750 with eight DSW600 subwoofers (augmented bass channels)
- Four DSP730 loudspeakers for Dolby Atmos ceiling channels
- Four DSW600 subwoofers for LFE (Low Frequency Effects)
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Arun describes the experience, “The thing that’s hardest to communicate through video is how the sound envelops you in the content. You’re being blasted from every single angle and it just pulls you in. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard in any cinema ever.”
The Garden
The garden posed a different challenge – delivering similarly exceptional sound quality, but in the open air rather than within a controlled cinema environment.
Simon initially considered conventional solutions before realising the opportunity, “We’re already at a point where we’re pushing the boundaries with the rest of the house. Why not do the same in the garden?”
Arun’s garden video
Ambisonic Integration
Simon worked closely with DbM’s design and specification service to map the garden’s five-tiered layout. The aim was to determine optimal speaker placement for great coverage without excessively loud ‘hot spots’.
Arun explained his desired approach, “We’re going to get a combination of different types of speakers and then ideally just bury some subwoofers in the ground itself. The reason you can actually do that with a subwoofer is that the low bass notes aren’t very directional. When you’re listening to high notes and mid notes you need that music fired directly into your ear, whereas for bass you just need to stick a subwoofer somewhere in your vicinity and you will feel it.”
The installation uses Ambisonic Bollard speakers customised for 360° dispersion to provide audio coverage across two of the upper tiers of the garden. Six LSR40 speakers in the lowest zone provide the patio area with precise sound, while two S11 BP subwoofers buried in the ground in this zone add low-frequency impact to the great performance of the LSR40s.
This creates three distinct audio zones spanning the entire garden, each zone controllable independently through Sonos integration.
Simon explains, “The Ambisonics blend into the background but do an amazing job. The sound fills the space while the speakers themselves disappear into the landscape. Whether all zones are called into use for a whole-garden party, or just one area is required for a quiet evening, the system has the flexibility to adapt to suit the moment.”
Bringing It Together
Working through DbM, Simon could coordinate this complex integration, “We kept as much of it in-house with DbM as we possibly could – benefiting the client in terms of support and ensuring the project ran smoothly.”
For Arun, the completed project exceeded expectations. When gaming in his cinema room, he said, “This is a dream I’ve probably had for the last five to 10 years and today it has finally come true.”
The garden system proved equally successful, with the entire family using it regularly. Arun notes with satisfaction, “Pretty much the entire time, when people are over at the house, we lose someone and then we realise 10 minutes later it’s because they’re sitting in this chair” – referring to the outdoor seating area surrounded by Ambisonic audio.
The Meridian experience extends throughout the home. In the living room, a pair of Meridian DSP8000 XE loudspeakers deliver the same premium audio quality for everyday listening, while Meridian in-wall speakers are seamlessly integrated into hallways, bedrooms, and the gym.
Each space benefits from Meridian’s signature sound, creating a cohesive audio ecosystem that flows naturally from room to room without compromising on performance or aesthetics.
Arun’s take on the living room
Theatre Equipment List
• Barco Residential Bragi 4K UHD LED Projector
• Trinnov Altitude 16 AV Processor
• Lumagen Radiance Pro Video Processor
• Meridian 271 Digital Theatre Controller
• 17 Meridian DSP750 In-Wall Loudspeakers
• Four Meridian DSP730 In-Wall Loudspeakers
• Twelve Meridian DSW600 In-Wall Subwoofers
Garden Equipment List
• Eight Ambisonic Bollard Speakers
• Six Ambisonic LSR40 Speakers
• Two Ambisonic S11 BP Buried Subwoofers