Whatever happened to the dedicated home theater? Over the past five years or so, it’s lost favor to multipurpose rooms, where big screens share space with bars, pool tables and dining areas.
Two trends are driving this transition to shared spaces: 1) more open floor plans in today’s homes and 2) brighter projectors and light-rejecting screens that don’t require a completely dark room.
Indeed, over the past few years, the mantra among projector and screen manufacturers has been something to the effect of: “Ensuring an exceptional entertainment experience, day or night” (in this case describing Stewart Filmscreen’s new Phantom HALR High Ambient Light Rejecting screen).
Rayva, a group founded last year by industry veterans George Walter, Theo Kalomirakis and David Rodarte, hopes to bring back the dedicated home theater room. The group made its formal debut at the Builders Show (IBS 2017) in Orlando earlier this month.
Rayva is pitching turnkey systems, including architectural drawings; audio, video, lighting and control products; acoustical panels and seating; warranties; installation; and more.
The company offers four packages ranging from $69,000 to $500,000. In order to keep the theaters turnkey and ready-to-install, Rayva keeps options to a minimum, mostly just offering color choices for floors, walls and seating.
In this way, Rayva can ship complete pre-engineered systems that can be installed relatively easily by an authorized dealer, who can repeat the process quickly and efficiently.
Demonstrating a $69,000 “Gold” theater at IBS, Kalomirakas presented a clear and passionate vision of Rayva, and the idea of home theaters done right.
Acknowledging the dwindling interest in dedicated home-theaters, he tells CE Pro, “I think this is the last opportunity for home theater before it becomes obsolete.”
RELATED: George Walter, Theo Kalomirakis, David Rodarte Launch High-End Home Theater Biz
