This Geneva based home Cinema boasts some style and performance thanks to a top job carried out by the team as Luxavo and some powerful brands.

Luxavo is an outfit packed full of AV expertise as one of the company’s principles, Patrick Kelly, explains, “Our team consists of long term industry players, some with 30 years experience alone, we have an accumulative 70 odd years’ experience and have really grown with the AV industry which has changed dramatically over the years.

“One of our engineers have worked with most of Hollywood’s A list along with sports personalities and has a tremendous amount of knowledge overall. He worked alongside Mark Levinson in the Cello Music & Film days building extremely high-end esoteric music and film systems. His experience doing large systems brings real value to our company and allows us to get involved with some pretty amazing systems.”

So how did this latest project come to light?

Patrick takes up the story, “The client is originally from Ireland and wanted to use an Irish company and had done some research finding us as someone who could fulfil his goals for the system. We are from his hometown and that was a plus too.”

The project went through some changes as the team used their knowledge to develop the clients first ideas about what was wanted.

Patrick explains, “Our client had thought to originally put a large TV on the side wall rather than a projector. We always thought the room was perfect for a projector, but the client wasn’t completely sold on the idea until we visited ISE in 2016 and met Artcoustic who asked all the right questions regarding what the room was like, what would it be mainly used for and the rest is history as they say!”

Driving performance

Going into more detail, the ceiling was fitted with acoustic plaster board to help with sound. Artcoustic recommended a 5.1.4 speaker arrangement using the Spitfire range with two-large sub woofers behind the acoustically transparent screen from Screen Excellence along with Artcoustic power amps and a top of the range Denon AVR.

Patrick adds, “We also chose the Sony 4K projector, best available at the price point, and the client is delighted with the picture quality. The lighting fixtures are all from a leading Swiss company called Neuco which really stand out. That coupled with the Lutron control allows the client to create some superb atmospheres within the space.

“The Control4 makes the operation of the room to the end user very simple integrating the singular room functions to whole home functions seamlessly. The major concern to the client was simplicity and he has commended us in that aspect, he really is very happy with the control portion of the system.”

So working abroad can be great, but it does present some particular challenges.

Patrick says, “Being a remotely located project there was some language barriers we had to overcome. The electrical contractors were tasked to cable the systems, but they had very little English and I had very little French. It was challenging, but luckily the client’s architect played the middle man who greatly helped with drawings and translation. We travelled back and forth to sign off the works at each stage.”

On the technical side, Patrick adds, “An important aspect of speaker location was needed to be relayed to the contractors, we needed the overhead speakers in the correct position so proposed dropping the ceiling around the outside to allow enough space to house them. This allow us to bring the sound off the walls and closer to the listener.”

Another very important aspect of the system was the seating.  The large couches are really stunning, allowing for loads of seating area, but also helping with sound absorption.”

Getting a cinema to this standard, it just makes sense to work closely with suppliers and call on their expertise.

Patrick underlines this, “Artcoustic’s help was invaluable, I can honestly say it wouldn’t have happened without them. From the clients first point of contact at ISE they were thoroughly professional with the advice, followed up with the 3D renders which really impressed us all. They were always very helpful via email or phone calls throughout the project and then Paul (Paul Cummin owner of Artcoustic UK) flew out to Geneva to calibrate the system when completed which again gave the client great satisfaction.”

So favourite aspect of the job now its all done? Patrick says, “My favourite part is the immense cinema experience in Dolby Atmos on the 130in screen while enjoying few pints of Guinness on draught at the bar!

“The client loves the room for the fact it’s not just a cinema, but an entertainment room. He has his wine store (cave as it’s called in Geneva) proudly on display through a glass door, so when he has friends chatting at the bar they can see his large wine collection. But if its movie time! Lights dim, curtains open and the screen becomes visible. People are blown away. He is big sports fan, from Golf to Soccer or Irish GAA, the room works for all.”

So, completing a project like this must provoke strong opinion on what the big drivers are in cinema at the moment.

Patrick argues, “I think 4K, and its distribution, is playing a real part now in cinemas. People want centralised systems, so having a good HDBT system in place is key. I wouldn’t say 3D is important and never thought it would take off. Clients just want a good movie experience that is simple to use.

“Budget is the hardest one to work around at the minute. People are looking for more bang for the buck as they say. We really try to audition the correct equipment for the client and provide knowledge to them, so they can make educated decisions and spend the budget on the right parts of the system to create an overall movie experience.”

Kit List

Sony VPL VW550 ES

Sony Blu-Ray Player

Screen Excellence Reference 130 WS screen

Artcoustic Spitfire 16-8 x 3

Artcoustic Spitfire Control 3 Sub x2

Artcoustic Architect In-Wall 4-2 SLx4

Artcoustic 40-30 4-2 SL x2

Artcoustic PA 750 Amplifier

Denon AVR X-7200

WyreStorm EX-35-H2 Extender

Control4 EA-1 Controller

Control4 SR-260 Remote

Lutron HQWA-W781 Keypad x2

Lutron LQSE-4A-D Power Module

Lutron LQSE 2DAL-D Dali Module

UBIQUITI UNIFI AC-Pro AP