I'm nearing the end of an extensive project to modify an upstairs room into a proper home theater…read more At every stage of this process--from initial brainstorming to projector screen hanging--I've felt VERY fortunate to be relying on the professionalism, expertise, and integrity of Don, Bill & Carolyn at Image, Sound & Control (IMSOCO).
Although I had been using the room as a theater for several years, turning it into a proper theater required some serious effort including removing and relocating one wall; rerouting the A/C system; building a riser; remounting doors; installing and wiring computer-controlled lighting; and of course, permanently installing and organizing the previously tangled network of cabling.
I was prepared to spend a few bucks on this because having a permanent, dedicated theater was a lifelong dream; but like most of us, I didn't have unlimited funds. Here was the first sign that IMSOCO was a superior choice. At every decision point, Don & Bill have had one eye on "doing it well and right" and another eye on respecting my budget. This extends from shopping for high quality but cost-effective products (chairs, screen, etc.) to integrating my current audio/video gear into the A/V design.
And that respect for budget isn't just lip service. On the few occasions that part of the project took a little longer than expected or didn't go quite as efficiently as Don intended, my bill was voluntarily adjusted (without any request from me!) so that the inconvenience didn't come out of my pocket. That's extraordinary integrity at work.
Before any actual construction began, Don meticulously discussed EVERY IMAGINABLE detail of the project and prepared CAD drawings to pin down measurements, features, wire runs, and the like. Further, throughout the project, Don (who is officially the most detail-oriented person I've ever met, and therefore, EXACTLY the guy you want supervising a project like this) thought, rethought, and consulted me on every choice and refinement, including proposing solutions I would NEVER have thought of (and I've been doing home theater as an amateur for nearly four decades, myself.)
Key to all of those choices is Bill, a professional musician with decades of audio/video experience. Since I'm a musician myself (and an audiophile old-timer), I appreciate that Bill brings to the project an authority and comfort level that can only be realized with a true meeting of the minds. He knows how high-quality A/V should look and sound, and how to get there whether your budget is unlimited or down-to-earth.
Every expense was precisely identified and approved in advance, and the billings from Carolyn were detailed and clear. No hidden charges, no surprises, all up front and in the open.
Finally, Don, Bill & Carolyn--and their team of pros who have participated on the project (with their own contributions of expertise and creativity)--made this experience a helluva lot of fun.
When the project comes to completion, I'll post a photo of the final results. At this point, I wanted to chime in with an endorsement of IMSOCO for anyone who is considering a new audio and/or video system, or adding automation to their home. You'll enter into a project with Image, Sound & Control with a superior professional relationship, and come out of the project in an authentically friendly relationship--and a MUCH IMPROVED home entertainment/automation setup.
