The AV Experience

The AV Experience

by Ryan Charpentier

How To Technology

Season 1

A Home Theater Is Only As Good As Its Weakest Link - Featuring Geoffrey Heinzel

We are joined today by Geoffrey Heinzel for an impromptu stream discussing what it actually means when someone says, "your system is only as good as its weakest link." Welcome to the podcast dedicated to AV enthusiasts, by AV enthusiasts! If you have questions, we have answers. Come join us as we discuss the latest happenings in the world of AV and home theater as well as answer questions directly from chat. Please note that if you are joining us live, we do take live questions, but answer in the order that they are received. Hangout with us and enjoy the stream. We will get your question! Ryan Charpentier Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel @theavexperienceshow

Black On Black On Black (The Bat Cave - Home Theater Tour/Review))

Can a theater ever be too dark? Today we are reviewing The Bat Cave, created by James. A theater that features as much black/dark as possible. "My home theater adventure started over 20 years ago. I had an extra upstairs bedroom that I decided to convert into a home theater. I've gone through many changes and upgrades over the years: multiple projectors, AV receivers, Blu-ray players, screens, and different seating arrangements. I haven't made any changes recently; in fact, this has been the longest stretch of time that I have not done some type of upgrade. I realize my gear is not the latest on the market, but right now, I'm content with what I have. Anyway, I will never give up my vintage a/d/s speakers!" Need help with your "Dream Home Theater? Whether you are converting a small spare bedroom or building a dedicated room from the ground up, everything has to come together to make that experience enjoyable. Ben and Ryan can help design, source, and calibrate the perfect system for your exact space. Get in touch using the links at the bottom of the description. Bat Cave Theater: Screen - Screen Innovations Zero Edge, 133" 2.35:1 Projector - Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB Anamorphic Lens - Schneider Cine-Digitar Anamorphic 1.33x MF Source - Panasonic DP-UB9000 AVR - Sony STR-ZA1100ES Center Channel - a/d/s/ 800ax Left and Right - a/d/s/ 300ax Surrounds - Klipsch Reference RS-42MKII Sub - KEF KC62 Subwoofer Want Your Room Reviewed? If you have a room that you would like reviewed, please fill out the form at the link below. https://forms.gle/jCXnJJAEohyyiCBbA Ryan Charpentier (Host) Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff (Co-Host) Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com! Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel! @theavexperienceshow Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ascendavhometheater

Ascendo's New Panoramic Speaker - Featuring Special Guest Geoffrey Heinzel

What makes the new Ascendo Panoramic so cool and how does it solve many potential issues that popup when designing and implementing a home theater or AV space? Join us today with special guest Geoffrey Heinzel of Ascendo to learn more. ------------------ Welcome to the podcast dedicated to AV enthusiasts, by AV enthusiasts! If you have questions, we have answers. Come join us as we discuss the latest happenings in the world of AV and home theater as well as answer questions directly from chat. Please note that if you are joining us live, we do take live questions, but answer in the order that they are received. Hangout with us and enjoy the stream. We will get your question! Ryan Charpentier Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel @theavexperienceshow

Is it the journey or the result we chase? (My HT Room Review Home Theater Tour)

Is it about the result or the journey on your path to home theater/AV perfection? Today we are reviewing My HT, a small space full of mismatched gear and love for the journey itself. "I've been into home theater since the late 1990s, back when I purchased my first Pro Logic system with a VHS player and a chunky 28” tube TV. I never really built a highly expensive system because I never had the budget for it. However, as an engineer, I have always been fascinated by acoustics and how a room interacts with speakers. I hold a master's degree in mechanical engineering and took an acoustics course at university, which I absolutely loved. Looking back, I probably should have aimed for a degree in acoustics instead! For a long time, I played around with DIY absorber panels. When my wife and I decided to build a house, I made sure to secure a minimum of 15 sqm for a dedicated home theater. It's quite small, but floor space is expensive, so I didn't push for more. During the planning phase, I read up on the studio forum Gearspace (formerly Gearslutz) on how to treat a bare room. I aimed for a dead-end/live-end setup, filling the entire front wall with deep (250-450mm) insulation, while the other three walls featured SMT S-Wing paper diffusers. Unfortunately, I never really liked the sound; it felt too dead. For "Design 2.0" of the room, I wanted a longer decay time, so I sold the Wings and purchased a few second-hand Skyline diffusers. I also gave the room a cozy new feel by hanging loose fabric on the walls. It looks and sounds much better now, and even my wife likes it a little more than before." Need help with your " Dream Home Theater? Whether you are converting a small spare bedroom or building a dedicated room from the ground up, everything has to come together to make that experience enjoyable. Ben and Ryan can help design, source, and calibrate the perfect system for your exact space. Get in touch using the links at the bottom of the description. MyHT Theater: Projector - Sony VW95 (soon XGIMI TNM) Projector Screen ~111” DIY, Dreamscreen V5 material, Gain: ~0.6 LCR Speakers - Magnat Cinema Ultra LCR 100-THX Surround Speakers - Magnat Cinema Ultra RD200-THX Atmos Speakers - Dynavoice Magic FX-4 EX v.3 Subwoofer - DIY sealed 95L, Scan Speak 30W/4558t00 AVR - NAD T777v3 (Dirac Live full range) Atmos Amp - Marantz SR5006 DSP (Sub) - Minidsp 2x4HD (EQ with MSO) Sub Amp - Behringer A800 Want Your Room Reviewed? If you have a room that you would like reviewed, please fill out the form at the link below. https://forms.gle/jCXnJJAEohyyiCBbA Ryan Charpentier (Host) Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff (Co-Host) Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com! Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel! @theavexperienceshow Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ascendavhometheater

How is video in 2026?

Its been a bit since we have talked about video on this channel so I think its time to do a state of video update and talk about current happenings and options for home theaters and media spaces. ------------------ Welcome to the podcast dedicated to AV enthusiasts, by AV enthusiasts! If you have questions, we have answers. Come join us as we discuss the latest happenings in the world of AV and home theater as well as answer questions directly from chat. Please note that if you are joining us live, we do take live questions, but answer in the order that they are received. Hangout with us and enjoy the stream. We will get your question! Ryan Charpentier Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel @theavexperienceshow

How close is too close? (Ghadyani Theater - Home Theater Tour/Review)

Is sitting 6ft away from a 97in OLED too close? Today we are reviewing Ghadyani Theater, a small space adjacent to a kitchen Ascendo The12s and a 97in OLED. "Long story short, always loved home theater ever since my dad built the first one I experienced in 1995. Its been a journey ever since." Need help with yourDream Home Theater? Whether you are converting a small spare bedroom or building a dedicated room from the ground up, everything has to come together to make that experience enjoyable. Ben and Ryan can help design, source, and calibrate the perfect system for your exact space. Get in touch using the links at the bottom of the description. Want Your Room Reviewed? If you have a room that you would like reviewed, please fill out the form at the link below. https://forms.gle/jCXnJJAEohyyiCBbA Ryan Charpentier (Host) Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Goff (Co-Host) Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com! Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel! @theavexperienceshow Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ascendavhometheater

Answering All of You AV and Home Theater Questions

Welcome to the podcast dedicated to AV enthusiasts, by AV enthusiasts! If you have questions, we have answers. Come join us as we discuss the latest happenings in the world of AV and home theater as well as answer questions directly from chat. Please note that if you are joining us live, we do take live questions, but answer in the order that they are received. Hangout with us and enjoy the stream. We will get your question! Have questions or need some new gear? Send an email to web@ascendav.net or go to ascendav.net. Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel @theavexperienceshow Subscribe to Jonathan's YouTube Channel @jvonengeln

Can You Fix Room Issues With Equipment?

If you have an unchangeable room, is it possible to overcome shortcomings of said room by using equipments capabilities such as AutoEQ, treatments, etc? -------------- Welcome to the podcast dedicated to AV enthusiasts, by AV enthusiasts! If you have questions, we have answers. Come join us as we discuss the latest happenings in the world of AV and home theater as well as answer questions directly from chat. Please note that if you are joining us live, we do take live questions, but answer in the order that they are received. Hangout with us and enjoy the stream. We will get your question! Ryan Charpentier Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel @theavexperienceshow

Small Speakers, Big Sound: Featuring Ascendo and JVC (The Ara Theater - Home Theater Tour)

Can you have too small of a speaker? Can a small speaker make a BIG sound? Today we are reviewing Ara Theater, a small space using smaller speakers to create a larger than life experience. "Aside from the final wood finishing, Antonino took on the entire cinema build himself. His main goal was to design a visually pleasant space, knowing full well that certain elements, such as the woodwork on the rear and side walls, might not be ideal for acoustic perfection." Need help with yourDream Home Theater? Whether you are converting a small spare bedroom or building a dedicated room from the ground up, everything has to come together to make that experience enjoyable. Ben and Ryan can help design, source, and calibrate the perfect system for your exact space. Get in touch using the links at the bottom of the description. Ryan Charpentier (Host) Owner of Ascend Audio Video and founder of The AV Experience focusing on removing snake oil and subjectivity from the AV space and setting objectivity at the forefront. Want a new turn key theater/AV space, have general questions, or need to purchase some equipment for your theater? Contact Ryan at Ascend AV. https://ascendav.net/#contact Ben Goff (Co-Host) Technical Director at Cinema Buro, specializing in high-performance turn-key private cinemas. Need a design or guidance with a build? Contact Ben for engineering-led design, room acoustics, and system optimization & performance consultancy aligned to CEDIA RP22 / RP32. Contact Ben at Cinema Buro. https://cinemaburo.com! Subscribe to The AV Experience YouTube Channel! @theavexperienceshow Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ascendavhometheater

Multistead vs Single Seat

How is designing, setting up, and calibrating a room for single seat different from multi-seat? Are you giving up anything in the pursuit of one or the other? Join us this week as we discuss this premise, how to attack it, and the compromises one has to make in order to obtain the best of one setup vs the other.