Whereas lots of people might be contemplating a visible or audio improve to their house setup in time for the World Cup, which kicks off June 11, one soccer fan’s setup goes to make your plans really feel… insufficient. It is an elite house theater designed with sports activities in thoughts, and it is gained two CEDIA awards.
The undertaking is known as the Buzzards Highway Dwelling Cinema, and it was developed and executed by IndigoZest and Cinema Luxe. It makes use of a Sony 4K projector, an acoustically clear display screen (the place LCR audio system had been positioned behind the display screen), and a 9.4.4-channel Dolby Atmos sound system.
Driving the system is a Artcoustic CPH1000D digital amplifier, an Anthem MCA 325 v2 energy amplifier, and an Anthem MRX 1140 v2 Dolby Atmos AV receiver.
For audio system, Artcoustic made up the vast majority of the speaker configuration. Artcoustic Spitfire A10 wall audio system, Artcoustic SL 2-1 three-way monitor audio system and Artcoustic SL Architect PAS SPL in-ceiling audio system had been used. For subwoofers, there have been two Artcoustic Spitfire Sub 3 and two Artcoustic Sub 2 models in use.
For photos, a Sony 4K projector and a 145-inch Control4 Dragonfly Fastened Extremely AcoustiWeave Projection Display acoustically clear display screen had been put in.
This is a seriously immersive setup with plenty of power and you’ll often find Sony 4K projectors at the heart of a reference setup, like the one I saw at AWE’s headquarters back in 2024. But the AV equipment was only one part of this system.
One element crucial to the whole concept was the use of the room for showing football games (particularly Newcastle United).
Paul Laventure, Client Director at IndigoZest, said “Big sporting events are ultimately about shared experience, and that sits at the heart of how these spaces are approached. The ‘perfect’ setup goes beyond just a large screen and great sound; it’s about creating an environment that brings people together effortlessly”.
This was taken into consideration for planning not only the layout of the seating, opting for a more sociable layout to the traditional home theater seating, but also for control. The room’s owner wanted to able to switch easily between movie viewing and football, but not just in a boring regular setup.
The installers used Control4, a smart control system focused on multi-unit control from one platform, the add a one-button ‘Football Mode’. Using this not only switches to watching football in the home theater room, but the match is also broadcast around the wider property.
For an added bit of smart control magic, whenever someone calls to the house on its gate intercom, the content on the screen — including live broadcast matches — pauses to make sure “nothing was missed”.
A good-looking room
While cinephiles and home theater enthusiasts may not be too worried about the look of a room, Buzzards Road was designed to be a social space that also reflected the look of the rest of the property. This is where interior designer Sinead Kelly Herbert came in.
Working with the AV team, Herbert worked to implement the best fixtures to make the cinema room feel more welcoming. Bronze lighting fixtures were used, as well as a fiber-optic star ceiling, CNC-cut panelling and a stone-finished bar at the rear of the room.
Alongside this, all the speakers listed earlier, and the projector, are hidden so the room feels as comfortable as possible. The result? “Today, it’s the most-used room in the house — a social space, a sanctuary, and a statement in refined entertainment,” says Laventure.
With all these visual touches and the focus on a social environment for a great atmosphere for football, not to mention the Football Mode and exquisite-looking list of equipment, this sounds like the ultimate World Cup watch party place. Alas most of us will just have to settle for the best TVs and best soundbars.
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