Even before starting AcousticSmart, Richard Charschan had an itch for good-sounding environments. Manufacturing acoustic panels and other specialty architectural products, it wasn’t until an audio dealer came along with a special request to set up a home theater that everything finally clicked in his head.
On that project, Charschan realized the immersive and groundbreaking experience commercial theaters offered could now be replicated right at home.
Since then, Charschan has seen more than his fair share of home theaters over the years, many of which have even been featured here on CE Pro. And while the category itself has seen its ups and downs, one thing that has never faltered in that time has been Charschan’s passion for good, old-fashioned home theaters.
With the release of his book, Home Theaterology, CE Pro sat down with Charschan to talk more about what got left on the cutting room floor, Charschan’s own experiences working in the home theater segment, and why he thinks there’s no better time than now for integrators to start refining their home theater offerings.
CE Pro: You created a coffee-table book, Home Theaterology, which highlights home theater, including its designs and benefits. Why did you decide to put this together?
Charschan: I realized there was a disconnect between the designers, architects and the AV dealers. We wanted to educate them so that they understood the difference between a large TV and a couch and an immersive space that makes you part of the experience.
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Charschan: It will inspire them to specify more home theaters and to learn some important home theater details that will prepare them more efficiently for their next home theater project.  I think it will be an invaluable tool to help guide their potential clients in the right direction.
We find that many designers and architects are trying to turn cinemas into living rooms with acoustic wallpaper with 100-inch TVs and a big couch. This will help them understand why specifications like this are doing a disservice to their clients.
CE Pro: What went into the content of Home Theaterology and were there any items that were left out of the book that you would have liked to be included?
Charschan: We have some of our favorite demos that we feel most people don’t really know about; but wanted to get more of them from our sponsors — but time wasn’t on our side. We also have some amazing projects that we’re not completed in time for the book. Hopefully, they will be in the second edition and the digital edition. 
CE Pro: How has the home theater market evolved and how does the book represent this change?
Charschan: An underground movement of home theater enthusiasts are showing up online and with the advent of streaming and movie theaters going out of business, home theater is finally being taken seriously.Â
This is the first book of its type to come out in 20 years. The last one, Great Escapes by Theo Kalomirakis, showcased million-dollar-and-up, over-the-top rooms that were simply incredible. I still have mine, but Theo is pretty much retired, and he wanted us to continue carrying the torch to help grow home theater on to the next generation and beyond. 
CE Pro: Are there any elements of the book that you bring to light that maybe the public did not know or understand that now they can learn about through the book?
Charschan: We feature some of the most influential rock stars in the industry. Joel Silver talks about the importance of video calibration, Tony Grimani talks about audio calibration, some of the tricks of the trade, and we talk about acoustics so perspective clients can understand why it’s so Important and why this is so important for every home theater we build. We also talk about CEDIA, and how to find a qualified integrator to do their project.
CE Pro: What do you hope that professionals from the interior design and architectural communities take away from the book?
Charschan: Embrace home theater, learn the basics from this book and stop talking clients out of doing proper theaters and turning their media rooms into big TVs and U-shaped sofas.
This is not a family room. This is an escape room that takes our clients on a different journey every night of the week. When these rooms are built with care, love and passion, and are planned out correctly through proper drawings and orchestrated through proper project management it transforms a simple space into the highest form of ultimate luxury experience … bar none. 
If you want to hear Charschan talk more on his experience working on the book, be sure to check out CE Pro’s podcast where we chat more at length with Charschan.
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