Most people think a ₹28L home theatre is about having the latest tech or the biggest screen. For us at Times Audio, it’s about creating experiences. It’s about designing systems that match the client’s taste, their home, and how they enjoy cinema.
This particular project began with a simple brief: “We love old Hindi films.”
A family in South Delhi reached out to us wanting a private cinema in their basement. The space was ready, but they didn’t want a generic setup. They didn’t want the loudest system. They wanted warmth. Clarity. They wanted Kishore Kumar’s voice to sound like it used to on vinyl, but in a high-end digital format.
They were clear on two things:
- They didn’t want a ₹1–2L “budget setup” from a furniture store.
- They were looking for something that would last a decade or more.
Step 1: Understanding the Room
We visited their home in Greater Kailash. The basement was around 18 x 25 ft with controlled lighting and decent acoustics. They had done some soundproofing already, but nothing too advanced.
Rather than retrofit a retail package, we custom-designed the system from scratch.
Step 2: The Audio Chain
The heart of this theatre was built around the Anthem MRX 1140 AVR. Anthem’s ARC Genesis room calibration helped us fine-tune the sound to the exact acoustic profile of the basement. With ARC, even old black-and-white film audio felt immersive without being artificially enhanced.
For the front soundstage, we used Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series speakers. The 703 S3 floorstanders provided a natural, detailed midrange — perfect for vocals and classic instrumentation. The center channel was a matching B&W HTM71 S3, ensuring dialogue clarity even in softer scenes.
Surrounds were B&W M1s, wall-mounted and angled for coverage across all seats.
Bass is where we didn’t compromise: dual REL T/9x subwoofers, placed strategically at the front and rear of the room. The result? Bass you feel, not just hear. From Sholay’s action scenes to the quiet tabla in Pakeezah, every frequency was clear and controlled.
Step 3: Projection and Visuals
The family initially considered a 75″ OLED. But after a short demo in our Gurgaon showroom, they understood the value of projection. We installed a JVC NZ7 native 4K laser projector, paired with a 120-inch motorised screen from Grandview.
The JVC’s deep black levels added depth to black-and-white films. More importantly, it made transitions between light and dark scenes smooth and natural, without flicker or noise.
Step 4: Electronics, Power & Sources
Source equipment included a Zappiti NAS-based movie server and Apple TV 4K. We also installed a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer for music playback, which they now use daily for old Hindi classics on FLAC format.
We used IsoTek power conditioners to ensure consistent voltage delivery across all electronics. In a setup like this, stable power matters — not just for performance, but for protection.
Step 5: Calibration and Final Touches
Every piece of equipment was calibrated in the room, not in a lab. We used a calibrated mic and test tones to level-match all speakers. ARC Genesis helped correct peaks and nulls. Bass was tuned using REL’s dedicated app.
The client wanted the UI to be family-friendly. We programmed a Control4 remote, with a single-button “Movie Mode” that dims lights, powers everything, and auto-switches to the correct input.
The Final Result
This wasn’t a showroom theatre. This was a personal cinema, built around a feeling — nostalgia.
When the family watched Mughal-e-Azam in 4K remaster, they were stunned. The room didn’t just play the movie. It brought it alive.
They now host film nights every Friday. Their kids have discovered Raj Kapoor. The grandparents listen to Mohammed Rafi in a room that sounds better than any multiplex.
Why It Matters
At Times Audio, we don’t sell ₹1–2L plug-and-play packages. That’s not what we do. Our systems start at ₹10 lakh and go much higher depending on the space and vision.
We work with luxury homeowners, architects, and designers across Delhi NCR — DLF, Noida, South Delhi, and Gurgaon.
People come to us when they want more than “a home theatre.” They come to us when they want their home theatre.
This ₹28L project wasn’t about spending big — it was about spending right.
Right brands. Right design. Right installation. And a commitment to quality that will outlast the next 3 generations of tech.
Want to explore what a high-performance home cinema could look like in your home? Visit us at https://timesaudio.inor drop by our Gurgaon showroom.
