Project Summary
Where Design Meets Cinematic Precision: A Custom Waterfall Audio Hidden Home Theater Installation
Creating a hidden home theater in a beautifully designed space requires more than technical expertise—it demands creative engineering and a deep understanding of how to merge art with innovation. At AIC, we were approached by a homeowner who dreamed of the full cinematic experience—without disrupting the refined aesthetic of their custom-built home. The solution? A fully integrated Waterfall Audio Luxury Hidden Home Theater system paired with hidden projection technology and smart automation.
This wasn’t just a media room—it was a multi-purpose family room that needed to serve both form and function. The goal was to create a state-of-the-art theater that could appear and disappear on command, while enhancing the space’s visual appeal. The result is a stunning demonstration of how modern technology can elevate—not compete with—residential design.
Blending the Everyday with the Extraordinary – A Luxury Hidden Home Theater
For everyday use, the family enjoys their sleek, wall-mounted 83” Sony OLED 4K TV, positioned on a custom granite feature wall that serves as a visual centerpiece in the home. The polished granite sparkles in the natural light, adding texture and elegance to the space. But when it’s time for movie night, this ordinary viewing experience transforms into something far more cinematic.
A 130” recessed, motorized 4K Ultra White tab-tension screen silently descends from a hidden ceiling cavity, perfectly aligned to cover the OLED screen. At the same time, a Sony VPL-XW6000ES 4K laser projector emerges via a custom Chief motorized lift, delivering vivid native 4K imagery with ultra-pure color and incredible brightness. This motorized, retractable setup was essential to preserving the clean lines and luxury aesthetic of the room while providing the immersive quality of a dedicated theater.
To deliver true cinematic content, the system features a Kaleidescape Terra Prime Movie Server and Strato C 4K Movie Player, offering access to an extensive library of studio-quality films at full bitrates—ensuring both audio and visual excellence.
The Sound of Art: Waterfall Audio Elegance
Perhaps the most striking element of this room is the Waterfall Audio speaker system. Known for their glass-bodied speakers, Waterfall Audio designs products that look as beautiful as they sound—making them a perfect fit for this highly curated space.
At the front of the room, a pair of Waterfall Niagara glass tower speakers flank the granite wall, offering exceptional audio performance with visual transparency that enhances rather than detracts from the room’s design. Between them sits a matching Waterfall Elora Evo glass center channel, providing crystal-clear dialogue and a cohesive visual flow.
To complete the immersive 9.2.2 audio experience, six in-ceiling Waterfall Elora Evo speakers were discreetly installed for Dolby Atmos height and surround effects. These were custom-mounted for visual subtlety and acoustic balance. Bass is delivered through two hidden JL Audio Fathom in-wall subwoofers, which provide powerful low-end frequencies without occupying floor space.
This system is the definition of audio as art, where every speaker serves a visual and functional purpose.
Intuitive Control with NICE Smart Home Automation
To tie the entire theater system together, AIC integrated the setup with a NICE (formerly Elan) smart home control system. The homeowner—an experienced AV enthusiast—wanted full control over audio formats, speaker modes, aspect ratios, and more. Our technicians custom-programmed a HR30 handheld remote and personalized NICE app interfaceto allow detailed, hands-on adjustments.
Whether he wants to toggle surround sound formats or initiate a fully automated “movie night” scene, the homeowner can do so in seconds. This level of customization ensures the space works precisely the way the client envisions—no compromises, no limitations.
A Theater That Disappears—Until You Need It Most
This Waterfall Audio hidden home theater system is more than just an entertainment center—it’s a statement of what’s possible when engineering and aesthetics unite. It transforms effortlessly from a refined family room to a high-end cinema, while maintaining the integrity of the home’s architecture.
From concealed projectors to visually stunning glass speakers, every element was chosen not only for performance but for how it enhances the room’s elegance. At AIC, we believe that great design doesn’t compete with technology—it elevates it.
You can see this project featured in the December 2023 issue of Local Life Magazine!
