Home Theater Geeks 502: Duck & Cover

Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Host: Scott Wilkinson
Guest (profiled): Terence Huntington
Date: October 2, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Home Theater Geeks, Scott Wilkinson profiles the uniquely clever and compact home theater build of Terence Huntington—the composer behind the show’s theme music. The episode centers on how Terence converted a tiny, challenging basement space in Grass Valley, California, into an impressive home theater. Scott walks listeners through the technical and creative decisions that made this "duck and cover" home theater not only possible, but remarkably successful, providing inspiration for anyone facing similar space or budget limitations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Building in a Small, Challenging Space

[01:56 - 06:30]

• Terence wanted a home theater but only had a small basement to work with.
• The initial space was cramped, with support posts and exposure to dirt from the foundation.
• "You might think that [the support posts] are structural, but amazingly they’re not." (Scott Wilkinson, 02:57)
• To make room, Terence removed non-structural support posts and reinforced beams with "wafers."
• Cinder blocks were installed "to keep dirt from intruding into the home theater."

2. Addressing Technical Hurdles

HVAC Noise & Space Constraints

[03:30 - 04:40]

• The water heater and HVAC system were loud and took up space.
• Terence enclosed these in "a closet with heavy insulation," dramatically reducing noise to "basically sounds like a projector." (Scott Wilkinson, 04:10)

Screen & Projector Challenges

[04:50 - 06:00]

• Main challenge: Ensuring his JVC projector with a Panamorph anamorphic lens would fit the 115-inch, 2.4:1 Carada Precision screen.
• "He carefully measured and calculated the throw distance... and he found that it would work—just barely." (Scott Wilkinson, 05:35)
• The ceiling was so low that "he just barely clears the ceiling there... which is why he called it duck and cover." (Scott Wilkinson, 05:55)

Design Solutions for Aesthetics & Performance

• Terence chose red carpet and off-white walls—"not what I would normally recommend for a home theater"—but counteracted issues with a black shadow box around the screen, increasing image contrast.

Acoustic Success

[06:30 - 08:00]

• Despite low expectations, the installation of carpet and seating resulted in sound quality that "totally exceeded his expectations," leading Terence to disable the Audyssey room correction in his Integra preamp.
• "I didn't have high hopes for good sound... but the sound totally exceeded his expectations." (Scott Wilkinson, relaying Terence, 07:44)
• "That was great. A happy coincidence. A happy happenstance, as they say." (Scott Wilkinson, 08:00)

3. Equipment, Layout, and Surprises

[09:23 - 13:20]

• Seating: 3 Salamander Designs Mateo recliners (front row), 2 traditional theater chairs (on 8-inch riser, back row).
• Bass Tactile Feedback: One ButtKicker LFE transducer per row, not per seat.
  • "Personally, I like that because I don't like the intense shaking of the seats... having one in the whole row... would be less intense." (Scott Wilkinson, 09:47)
• Cabinetry: Equipment rack with a 4-inch cable gap for accessibility—"really important... some people don't think about this until it's too late." (Scott Wilkinson, 10:08)
• Electronics: Integra DHC 40.1 pre/pro, NAD amps, Apple TV, game consoles.
• Speakers: Paradigm Studio 60s (FL/C/R) and Studio 20s (surround), "an excellent choice."
• Bass: Epic Tower 15" sub, and a Rythmik MBM-12 mid-bass module paired with the center speaker.
  • "The center channel is extremely important... So he used this [MBM-12]." (Scott Wilkinson, 11:30)
• Budget & Process: Build completed in about 1.5 months, for roughly $20,000.
• Personal Touch: Terence’s highlight was laying the carpet and working with his father—"That is some of my happiest family memories." (Scott Wilkinson, 12:40)
• Result: Tight squeeze getting in ("duck and cover"), but "once you're seated, that thing is going to be pretty darn nice." (Scott Wilkinson, 13:00)

4. Inspiration & Takeaways for Home Theater Geeks

[13:15 - 13:45]

• This build is a model for overcoming space and budget issues without compromising performance.
• "Several people have told me that they face the challenge of a small room... Well, Terence Huntington dealt with it beautifully and not that expensive." (Scott Wilkinson, 13:18)
• "I applaud him for what he did with such a small space and what great performance I'm sure he got out of it. This is a perfect example of how that can be done." (Scott Wilkinson, 13:45)
• Shout-out to Terence for the theme music and his ingenuity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Amazingly they're not [structural], he was able to remove them and reinforce the existing beams with what are called wafers."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 02:57

• "When the heater's on or even the AC, it basically sounds like a projector. You’d be hard pressed to hear any hum or rumble."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 04:10

• "He guessed a lot, too... and he found that it would work—just barely."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 05:35

• "He just barely clears the ceiling there. So it’s a pretty small space, which is why he called it duck and cover."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 05:55

• "With the carpet and the seating installed, the sound totally exceeded his expectations... so good he disabled the Odyssey room correction."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 07:44

• "Having one ButtKicker in the whole row... would be less intense. That would be fine with me."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 09:47

• "Some people don't think about [equipment access] until it's too late... Terrence thought of this and good for him."
  — Scott Wilkinson, 10:08

• "Working with my dad during the construction was a real joy."
  — Terence (via Scott Wilkinson), 12:40

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:56 – Start: Introduction to Terence’s project & space limitations
• 02:57 – Removing basement support posts
• 04:10 – Solving HVAC noise with insulation
• 05:35 – Calculating projector throw and screen constraints
• 05:55 – The origin of "Duck & Cover"
• 07:44 – Audio quality surpasses expectations
• 09:23 – Detailed equipment and seating discussion
• 11:30 – Mid-bass module and the role of the center channel
• 12:40 – Personal reflection on working with family
• 13:18 – Key takeaways for small room builds
• 13:45 – Tribute to Terence’s success and music

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone intrigued by practical home theater innovation. Terence Huntington’s resourceful use of space, collaborative build process with his father, and careful technical planning offer real-world answers to frequent enthusiast dilemmas. Scott’s walkthrough is both technical and personal, making this a standout for both inspiration and actionable advice.

For questions or feedback: Email Scott at htgwit@twit.tv.
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