Eye XO Garage Build

[thom0329]

Building a 32 X 20 garage/golf simulator/movie theatre constructed using ICF forms (styrofoam blocks filled with concrete).

The ICF construction was chosen for a few reasons. It is very efficient to heat and cool, it keeps sound in, and with a bit of research you can build it yourself. Insulation is important in our climate in Northern Ontario Canada…..

I’ve decided on the Eye XO. I’m left handed so I needed a ceiling mounted unit to avoid having to move a floor mounted style from one side to the other. The feedback on the Eye XO seems to be good and IMO is the best value. I’ve purchased E6 Connect simulator software.

The projector will be the BenQ 953 ST. If I’m building a garage and a movie theatre, can’t cheap out in the heart of the system…..

The screen is a custom premium screen from Par2Pro in Edmonton AB Canada. It will be 14 ft X 9 ft.

The stereo will consist of Paradigm speakers with a Center, L/R Mains, 4 Dolby Atmos speakers in the ceiling and 2 surround speakers. The receiver is an Anthem MRX 740.

I’ll update with photos as I progress. Find attached a few photos of the build so far.

[Turt4sc]

I’m also planning an eye xo and e6. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

[DS12]

May I ask, was it cheaper to build this way versus wood and insulation?

[thom0329]

I don’t have enough experience in building to say for sure. I’d estimate it’s around 5-10% added cost but you get a much more efficient building that keeps sound in and out better and is pretty much a bomb shelter….

[agent0024]

I used a lot of the same components as you! EYEXO, E6, BenQ LK953 in my detached build! We have a dedicated Home Theater in the main house, so I only went with 5.1 sound with Origin Acoustics in-ceiling speakers. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

[Brettster]

Nice - I'm finishing my detached build at the moment as well... doing it all myself as contractors are all slow and/or not available. It's very small though.. I'll be posting my work in progress too... Like to 'hear' how yours sounds with all that audio in place... I'm not familiar with origin acoustics - but like you I already have a decent Home Theater with 9.1 Surround/Atmos in the house. In fact, it lets me add up to 2 other locations where I could run other channels on the Denon wireless. If you have a video of your setup would like to see it

[thom0329]

Quick update. Slab has been poured and electrical rough in complete. Just waiting on metal roof before finalizing electrical. Parging was completed yesterday so it should be dry by tomorrow and will start to backfill and final grade. Windows and doors on Monday/Tuesday. I’ll be finishing the interior with Trusscore wall finishing. Installing Sonopan panels on the ceiling to keep the sound in the yard and in the house to a minimum and the concrete will be sufficient for sound deadening in the walls.

Eye XO has been shipped along with the turf. Theater speakers, amp, and projector are in.

Hoping to be completed in about 2 weeks. Will update more frequently in the next few weeks.

Cheers!

[thom0329]

Windows, doors, and cabling completed. Getting close now…..

[Brettster]

Fantastic thom0329 - looks like a huge / incredible build and done the right way with all that concrete block and sound abatement! It's part of the reason I'm finishing my detached build and why we moved to a new house about 2 years ago with a 12'x16' shed that I'm converting to my golf sim.... but nothing like what you have going. Can't wait to see your completion.

[thom0329]

Sonopan soundproofing installed on ceiling. Strapping and insulation tomorrow.

[Brettster]

Really cool - does wallboard go over the sonopan, or is it stand-alone? Really looking forward to 'hearing' a video sound from outside your building... probably silent!

[thom0329]

Sonopan is installed under your wall/ceiling covering typically. I’m also adding a layer of rigid foam insulation. The interior finish will be Trusscore and due to my ceiling height of 10’6” it was the same price for me to add insulation than to cut off 1.5’ of Trusscore as they either come in 10’ or 12’ lengths. By adding the insulation and 2 layers of strapping I was able to get my ceiling height to 10’ which allowed me to purchase 10’ Trusscore lengths for the walls.

[Alex.Morgan]

Looking great! Looking forward to seeing the finished build!

[thom0329]

Ceiling strapped over the Sonopan and almost done the layer of 2.5” rigid insulation.

[thom0329]

Rigid insulation completed. Final rows of strapping installed. Now we have the 30 pot lights and a few other electrical items to wire in. Then the Trusscore wall and ceiling finish.

[thom0329]

[thom0329]

Trusscore done on one wall and ceiling.