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9 Awesome Acoustical Panels
You're probably picturing something red, maybe maroon, maybe even blue.
Maybe you're picturing that universally-used zigzagy pattern somebody once decided was perfect for home theaters.
You're probably not picturing a tropical beach, the streets of Venice or your favorite movies' posters.
Cinemacoustic Solutions is looking to breathe new life in the acoustic treatment category with its Cinema Imagery Product line, which allows customers to choose an image to be embedded in their acoustic panels.
They can pick their vacation photos, art prints or a gallery of Marlin Brando movie posters. The integrators pass the request along to Cinemacoustics, which ships the custom panels in three to five weeks.
Cineacoustics isn't alone in terms of creating crafty panels. Auralex also has some creative solutions. But the concept of turning a photo into a panel in about a month seems new.
How it Works
Jupiter, Fla.-based Atlantic Smart Technologies (AST) has already provided home theater clients with the recently-launched Cinema Imagery Product panels. Some clients went the movie poster route, says vice president and director of A/V systems design Brian Grimo.
AST has also worked with professional athletes who wanted photos of their playing careers embedded in their panels.
The great thing, Grimo says, is the Cinema Imagery Product line allows AST to provide personalized décor while "maintaining the acoustical properties that are so often overlooked in regards to the overall performance of the theater."
The hand-crafted panels are available in 1- or 2-inch absorptive, reflective or diffusive models and are custom-made using wood frames stained in a variety of finishes. Being able to add a favorite movie scene, vacation photos or whatever clients want gives installs "limitless possibilities," says Cinemacoustic president Leeford Waite.
Converting those possibilities to images on clients' home theater walls is a pretty painless process, Grimo says. After determining what photos or movie posters his clients want, AST generally finds the high-resolution images online and sends either a .jpg or .tif to Cinemacoustics.
"[It] transfers the image digitally to a computer file and then transfers the image digitally to the panel," he says. "This way we know that the artwork has been purchased by the client and can return the poster to them when we are done."
Click here for 9 Awesome Acoustical Panels.
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Slideshow · Home Theater · Acoustics · Cinemacoustic Solutions ·About the Author
6 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
As a home owner I loved the pictures but would have like to have read something that spoke about the cost?! I filled out interest online but is this $1,000’s or?
Edward you can always visit us on the web @ http://www.csitheaters.com or email me for additional information.
Not a new concept, these panels were showcased at CEDIA many years back
Hi Audiophile. Your comment shocks me. If you use the name Audiophile as your user then how can you make a statement like that. I USED to think the same thing until I was educated by Leeford with CSI. I was one of the uneducated that thought all panels were the same except for fabric choice. WOW was I wrong. Yes many put images on acoustical panels but we performed a simple sound off test with 4 suppliers. The materials used, application and acoustical material design were really different. Rather than me run my mouth call Leeford or Bryan Fronte discuss the engineering specifics behind what they do verses some other providers. Opened our eyes and we thought WE KNEW EVERYTHING. haha
Hello Audiophile, I agree that a similar product was introduce at CEDIA years a back, and we are acutely aware of the product that was introduce then, since it was introduce by a former affiliate of ours. However to simply put the product has been dramatically improved from an engineering and fabrication stand point. If you need more information on our Cinema Image Products and Services please call and speak to Bryan Fronte or myself at our main office at 954-755-6147 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Janman it is good to see our dealers being so passionate about CSi Theaters, Our goal is to continue providing impeccable customer service and foster great relationship with our Dealers and Reps through out the US. Thanks for your continued support.
Great artical Tom. I’ve dealt with several acoustic company’s over the past 4 years in business and just completed a project with Cinemacoustic. This was an excellent option for the client. They travel the world and wanted to put images from an African Safari they were on. Client was thrilled and I was as well. Bryan and Leeford were terrific and delivered everything they promised. I can’t say that for some of the previous firms that claim to be leaders. Glad you covered the little guys to showcase what this cool product is all about. I’ll send you images when the client approves them. I think you’ll like them to post as well.