Next Level North Shore

The brief.

This was a substantial new-build in the lower North Shore of Sydney. Spanning five floors the owners wanted to automate all electrical subsystems in the home to allow for simple and intuitive operation. Part of the brief was the incorporation of a high quality dedicated theatre.

Dedicated Theatre:

The Theatre is a very high-end design utilising a 201” Stewart micro-perforated screen, a Christie digital projector and Schneider anamorphic lens. The speakers are Bowers and Wilkins 800 series in-wall with multiple Velodyne Direct Drive (DD) subwoofers. A Crestron Procise processor and nine Meridian stereo power amplifiers form the heart of the electronics. The room was wired with AudioQuest speaker cable.

Audio Visual

There are 24 zones of audio fed by a Sooloos Music Server and multiple Arcam FM/DAB+ tuners, all driven by Crestron power amplifiers. As the brief was to ensure that the installation was as discrete as possible Stealth Acoustic invisible speakers were used in all primary living areas. B&W and SpeakerCraft speakers were used elsewhere with the exception of the outside zones where James Audio was utilised.

There are also ten zones of distributed video (including three surround sound areas) fed by multiple Panasonic Blu-Ray players and a Kaleidescape movie server. Panasonic screens were used throughout.

Integrated Technology:

Due to the complexity and scale of the project Crestron was chosen as the control system, controlling in turn the Dynalite lighting system (installed under our supervision by a third party contractor). As well as controlling the audio and video throughout the premises the Crestron system also controls lighting, window coverings, irrigation, CCTV system and security.

Outcome:

This project was a triple category winner at the 2012 CEDIA awards:

Best integrated home over $500,000
Best Home Theatre over $150,000
Best dressed system.

Year of completion: 2012

Ultralift lifters

There were a number of rooms where the clients do not want the TV screens to be on display unless they are being used. Australian manufacturer Ultralift make a number of solutions, including lifts that will raise a screen out of the cabinet, or drop the screen from the ceiling, with both options being used in this project.
One of the advantages of dealing with a local manufacturer such as Ultralift is that they have the means to modify existing design, or build to order, and was the case for this client. In the living area it was necessary to build a swing down lifter that not only dropped the screen from the ceiling, but also was able to fit the sound-bar as well.

Rack management

With any large scale installation, particular one involving automation, it is necessary to allow space to house the necessary components. It is also essential that these components are housed in a manner allowing easy access, that they are correctly ventilated, that all cables are labelled and that the finished product is neat and tidy.

This was a lengthy and complex process, utilising five full height Middle Atlantic racks, but as you can see the results are impressive, and certainly worthy of the ‘Best dressed system’ CEDIA award.

Anamorphic Lens

Almost all video projectors are designed to work with a 16:9 video format screen (the same shape as your TV screens). However most modern movies are filmed in a more stretched format, the most popular being 2.35:1, and appear on your screen with black bars above and below the image.

While we are starting to see the emergence of projectors that will natively display a widescreen image they are still rare, and expensive. The solution is to use a screen with the correct image ratio and then install an anamorphic lens in-front of the projector resulting in the image filling the full screen – just as it does in a commercial theatre.

Why our customers love us

A note long overdue – the team provided for the installation of our entertainment center was just stellar. They each of them went out of their way to be helpful, they were careful of everything in the house (under construction at the time!), they demonstrated the patience of the saints in interactions with other contractors on site, and above all else, professional in the extreme – everyone knew exactly what they were doing, and did it exceptionally well, working flawlessly as a team. James, Waverton

It would be a crime not to register my disappointment to have Mark and Geoff do the job they did today. Over the past year I have just completed alterations of approx. A$1M, and you can appreciate the number of trades involved. What a disappointment for me to cop these two lads who had the courtesy to phone and inform me they were running 15 minutes late, who did the work perfectly, would not stop for the obligatory tea break, did the job within the estimated time, were polite and did the unforgivable tradesman sin, cleaned up after. You should be proud of their training and value them as employees and thank you for a most professional job. Richard, Pymble

Please pass on my thanks to your installation team because Tuesday was exactly the professional “Len Wallis" experience that we had last time. It's a great feeling to know that your team “just know" what is required for the high standards that you set. I was quite happy not to be there because I knew it would all be 100% when I got home and it was. Your team are great ambassadors for Len Wallis. Mike, St. Ives

Having seen the way that the process has progressed, from your excellent service in store and selection of components and joinery provider to the installation by Onur, Tom, James and George, I can say that my decision to go with you was absolutely the right one. All members of the team were a pleasure to deal with! Over the last couple of evenings we have watched some favorite movies and the NRL final, and it goes without saying that the result is just brilliant!! I am most impressed with the warm sound quality in a room that, I guess I thought (given its hard surfaces), would be challenging. “Cinema quality” is how we all described the result!! All in all, the sound and quality of product is exceptional and the installation amazing!! Colin, Caringbah

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I am beyond impressed with the work your company has done here. I apologise for my frustration before christmas but your boys have been so impressive this week that I couldn’t let them finish without writing this email Marc, ibrahim and john were fantastic My in-laws were definitely right and I will be using your service indefinitely now as well as recommending you guys to my colleagues Phil,

Kiet, I just wanted to thank you and Tony for your assistance with my project it has been handled in a very professional manner and the end result is excellent. Also John, George and Jordan are a credit to your organization. The instal is perfect even what you can't see behind the components the attention to detail and the way everything is finished off is brilliant. The architect said it is is the best he has seen. Adam, Gladesville

Approximately 2 weeks ago I spied a bargain in your excellent second hand department, a rare vintage Rotel pre-amplifier. I am a massive Rotel fan and knew I wouldn’t find another. A quick call later I’d secured it. The customer experience (and bear in mind this is by phone) was flawless. All details double checked by a polite, courteous and efficient staff member. “Wow…” , I said to myself. This is how it’s done. I wasn’t in any urgency for freight, I’d much rather it be transported carefully. Well, it was. 36 hours and 1000km later via TNT. I’m absolutely astonished. The pre-amp is in excellent condition and sounds simply fantastic! Ian, Greenslopes

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Next Level North Shore

Next Level North Shore

Next Level North Shore

Next Level North Shore