Custom Home Theater Installation
Purpose-built dedicated theater rooms — designed to specification, acoustically treated, and finished to a standard that rivals commercial cinemas. Site survey, full build, calibration, and handoff.
What Makes It Custom
Built From the Ground Up.
No Compromises.
A custom home theater isn’t an off-the-shelf system in a dark room. It’s a purpose-built space — designed around your room’s exact dimensions, your seating positions, and the acoustic behaviour of every surface — then executed by technicians who’ve done this hundreds of times.
Every custom theater project starts with a paid site survey and a written design package before any equipment is ordered or any work begins. We calculate projector throw distances, engineer speaker layouts to Dolby Atmos spec, coordinate with your contractor on rough-in, and manage the build through to final calibration.
The result is a room that sounds and performs the way it was designed to — the first time, every time.
Book a Free Consultation ›
The Build
Every Layer of a Custom Theater
From the first rough-in wire to the final calibration — here’s what goes into every dedicated room we build.
Rough-In & Pre-Wiring
Every custom theater starts before drywall. We rough-in speaker cable to every position in the Dolby Atmos layout, run HDMI conduit from the projector location to the AV rack, and coordinate with your electrician on dedicated circuits. Doing this right at the framing stage saves thousands and guarantees a clean finish.
Acoustic Treatment
Every room has a unique acoustic fingerprint. We design a combination of absorber and diffuser panels placed at the first and second reflection points, bass traps in the corners, and rear-wall diffusion — so the system sounds exactly the way it should. We also offer full noise isolation to contain sound within the room.
Laser Projection
We spec and install native 4K laser projectors from Sony and JVC — the reference standard for dedicated cinema rooms. Throw distance is calculated precisely, structural support is built into the ceiling at the right location, and every projector is calibrated to your screen material and room lighting conditions.
Dolby Atmos Audio
Proper Atmos means more than adding ceiling speakers. We engineer the full layout — LCR speakers behind an acoustically transparent screen, surround and overhead channels positioned to Dolby’s reference geometry, subwoofer placement for even bass distribution, and a Marantz or Denon processor calibrated with room correction software.
Source & Control
Kaleidescape 4K movie servers deliver higher-quality audio and video than any streaming service or Blu-ray player — with the highest available bit-rates and full lossless audio. We also integrate smart control systems so the entire room — lights, screen, projector, audio — operates from a single app or remote.
Finishing Touches
Star ceilings, tiered seating riser platforms, bias lighting, screen bezel LED accents, motorized blackout shading, and custom panel trim around acoustic treatments — the finishing elements that transform a functional theater room into a cinematic experience worth living in.
Projector Screen
Screen selection is not an afterthought — the wrong material destroys image quality regardless of how good the projector is. We spec fixed-frame and retractable screens from Stewart Filmscreen, Cima, and Severtson, matching gain, ALR properties, and acoustic transparency to your room’s exact light conditions and speaker layout.
AV Rack & Wiring
Every component — AV processor, amplifiers, streaming sources, HDMI matrix — is racked, labelled, and wired to professional standard. Cable management is clean and documented so any future service is straightforward. We build racks that are as tidy behind the doors as the room looks in front of the screen.
Featured Projectors
Native 4K Laser Projection
We carry and install Sony and JVC reference-grade laser projectors — the only projectors we recommend for dedicated custom theaters.
Sony · Flagship
VPL-VW5000ES
Native 4K SXRD · 5,000 Lumens · Laser Light Source
The benchmark for serious home cinema. Ultra-high brightness laser with Sony’s 4K SXRD panel system delivers reference-quality images with no compromise. IMAX Enhanced certified.
Sony · Premium
VPL-XW7000ES
Native 4K SXRD · 3,200 Lumens · Laser Light Source
Life-like colour reproduction with 3,200 lumens of laser brightness. IMAX Enhanced and HDR without oversaturation — outstanding performance for dedicated rooms of any size.
JVC · Reference
DLA-RS4100
Native 4K D-ILA · 3,000 Lumens · 8K e-shiftX
JVC’s reference series laser projector with 8K resolution upscaling via e-shiftX technology. Up to 3,000 lumens, HDR10+, low latency mode, and class-leading black levels.
Our Process
How a Custom Theater
Gets Built
A dedicated room demands a disciplined process. Here’s exactly how we take a project from first conversation to opening night.
Site Survey & Consultation
We visit your home to measure the room, assess wall construction, ceiling height, and existing rough-in, and discuss your goals in detail. This in-person step is non-negotiable — it’s what allows us to catch potential issues before they affect design or cost, and it’s the foundation of an accurate quote.
Custom Design Package
We produce a full design package: projector throw calculations, seating position layout, Dolby Atmos speaker geometry, cable routes, AV rack location, and acoustic panel placement. You receive a written itemized quote based on this design — no guesswork, no surprises on install day.
Rough-In & Construction Coordination
For new builds and renovations, we work directly with your general contractor during the framing stage — running all speaker cables, HDMI conduits, projector electrical, and subwoofer wiring before drywall closes the walls. Speaker back boxes are installed to improve bass performance and sound isolation from the rest of the home.
Full Installation
Our technicians install and terminate every speaker, mount the projector with structural support, install the screen and acoustic panels, rack and wire all AV components, and connect every source device. All wiring is dressed, labeled, and documented. Your room is treated with the care it deserves throughout.
Calibration & Handoff
We run Dolby Atmos speaker calibration using the AVR’s room correction software, calibrate projector settings to your screen material and ambient light conditions, configure every source, and test the complete system end-to-end. Before we leave, we walk you through operating everything — and make sure it’s perfect.
Our Work
Custom Theater Rooms
Built Across the GTA
What Our Clients Say
Every system. Every client. 5 stars.
“Knowledgeable, courteous, detail oriented and great value. 5 star execution and service.”
“Professional and quick installation with lots of knowledge about the audio visual industry. I highly recommend.”
“Excellent experience!! On time, full transparency regarding pricing, professional, and great installation! Would recommend whole heartedly.”
“Excellent service, very professional and helpful. Gave advice and explained every part of the job. Definitely recommend!”
Custom Home Theater FAQ
Everything you need to know before starting a dedicated home theater project in the GTA.
How much does a custom home theater room cost?
A fully dedicated custom theater room — including projector, screen, full Dolby Atmos speaker system, acoustic treatment, and AV rack — typically ranges from $35,000 to $80,000+, depending on room size, projector choice, and finishing level. Projects with Kaleidescape, high-end seating, star ceilings, and custom lighting can exceed this range.
The most accurate way to understand pricing is a free in-home consultation. We assess your space and deliver a written, itemized quote based on your specific room and goals.
When should I contact you — before or after construction?
As early as possible — ideally before framing begins. The rough-in stage (before drywall) is when all speaker cables, HDMI conduit, projector structural support, and electrical circuits need to be in place. Doing this during construction costs a fraction of what it would cost to retrofit later, and produces a completely clean, hidden result.
That said, we work in finished spaces as well. We assess the best approach during the site survey and will always give you an honest picture of what retrofitting involves in your specific room.
Why Sony or JVC for projectors — what about Epson?
Epson Pro Cinema laser projectors (LS9000, LS12000) are outstanding value for basement theaters and deliver excellent 4K image quality. We recommend and install them frequently for that tier of project.
For a true dedicated custom theater room where image quality is the priority, Sony SXRD and JVC D-ILA native 4K projectors produce noticeably superior black levels, colour accuracy, and contrast. The difference is visible, and for a room built to this level, it matters. We’ll recommend the right projector for your room, budget, and expectations during the design phase.
What is Kaleidescape and do I need it?
Kaleidescape is a premium 4K movie player and server system that delivers higher-quality audio and video than any streaming service or Blu-ray player. It uses uncompressed or lossless audio (Dolby Atmos at full bit-rate) and maximum-quality video encoding — the same files used in post-production review. The difference is audible and visible on a properly calibrated system.
It’s not essential, but for clients investing in a high-end dedicated room, Kaleidescape is the logical final step. It’s the only way to hear what your speakers and projector are truly capable of.
How long does a custom theater installation take?
The rough-in stage (during construction) is typically one to two days. The final installation — once the room is finished — takes two to four days depending on complexity: speaker installation and termination, projector mount and alignment, screen installation, acoustic panel installation, AV rack build, source configuration, and full calibration. We don’t rush the calibration stage; it’s what makes the difference between a room that technically works and one that performs.
Do you service all of the GTA?
Yes. Custom AVI serves the entire Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Thornhill, Brampton, Newmarket, Aurora, Ajax, Pickering, and Whitby. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.
Service Area
Serving the Greater Toronto Area
Custom AVI builds custom home theaters across the GTA — from downtown Toronto to Oakville, Vaughan, Markham, and beyond. Every project is handled by our own technicians, not subcontractors.
Toronto · Mississauga · Vaughan · Richmond Hill · Markham · Thornhill · Newmarket · Brampton · Aurora · Ajax · Pickering · Whitby · Scarborough · North York · Etobicoke
Ready to Build Your Custom Theater?
Start with a free in-home consultation — we’ll assess your space, design the system, and give you a written quote.