Blog Layout

AV Equipment and Installation for Unique Spaces: Specialized Entertainment Room Project

Christina Tollefson • Feb 29, 2024

The Challenge of Unique Houses and Unique A/V Projects

When it comes to designing and implementing unique spaces within your home, project planning is as varied and intricate as the projects themselves. One such unique project which we are currently working on is a specialized entertainment room designed to house a vast and detailed train collection.


Situated in a separate, free-standing addition to a historical home in St. Petersburg, this 30 x 50 room was built specifically to house the owners expansive train set, a marvel of miniature engineering and artistic detail, meticulously crafted, complete with landscapes, buildings, figures, and vehicles. The level of detail is staggering, from the texture of the terrain to the expressions on the tiny figures, each element has been carefully chosen to create an amazing experience.

Rich, immersive sound throughout the building:


The homeowner has been a client of ours for decades, but we were still honored to be asked to be a part of the project. Our goal was to complement the unique quality of the train collection while making the rooms visually and acoustically immersive, providing both the homeowners and their guests an unparalleled experience.


The main feature our client wanted was rich, immersive sound in both the rooms and the outside area. We chose Monitor Audio In-ceiling speakers to accomplish this.  All of these in-ceiling speakers are discreetly installed to blend with the building's historical aesthetics while delivering powerful audio performance. This setup ensures the softest whisper or an action-packed movie is lifelike and engaging.


  • The Entertainment Room features a 5.1 surround sound system comprised of five Monitor Audio 6.5" CC165 in-ceiling high performance speakers with a SpeakerCraft HRSi10 subwoofer.


  • The Train Room utilizes (6) larger Monitor Audio In-Ceiling CC180 high performance speakers. This is a larger space which has no subwoofer so the 8" drivers of these speakers provide the lower frequencies for full, not tinny sound. 


  • The Outdoor Walkway speakers are Monitor Audio's larger weatherproof In-Ceiling AWC280 high performance models. This guarantees the same quality sound is heard anywhere in or around the space.

The Audiovisual Installation


  • Yamaha RXA 6A Receiver: The receiver is the conductor of the symphony, seamlessly integrating various audio sources and outputting them with unmatched clarity and depth. We chose a Yamaha RXA 6A Receiver, a powerhouse of audio fidelity, to provide crystal-clear sound reproduction
  • Elan SC100 System Controller: The Elan SC100 controller is the brains behind the operation, managing the system's components - audio, video, and lighting. Complete and intuitive control over the entire setup is available via Elan ITP-8 in wall touchscreen, an HR40 Handheld remote or the phone, tablet or laptop App. (from anywhere in the world)
  • Samsung QN series television A 65" TV in the Entertainment Room and an 85" TV in the Train room provide not only relaxation but also visual support and information on the elaborate train sets. 
  • Panamax surge suppressors:  Provides much-needed surge protection for delicate electronics
  • Sanus Rolling Equipment Rack: This mobile unit houses the essential components of the audiovisual system, offering both flexibility and ease of access for maintenance and upgrades.
  • Lutron Radio Ra3 Sunnata dimmers and switches: Allows control of the lighting for overall atmosphere while enhancing the visual impact of the trains and the building's other architectural features. 
  • Ubiquiti Pro-Series access points: For strong seamless Wifi throughout the space and outside pool area.


Sound, Vision, and Passion


As we think about this project, we are reminded of the importance of attention to detail, the value of custom solutions, and the impact of creating spaces which truly resonate. Remember Entertainment Pros for your next project, where we make staying home fun! Contact us today or call, 727-804-2277, for a free estimate on your next project.

Check Out Our Latest AV Projects
By Christina Tollefson 24 Apr, 2024
A Renovation Journey: Color Changing Landscape Lighting Dissatisfied with the mundane look of his outdoor lighting from a different company, our client sought something which stood out. He had already completed a total renovation of his home's interior and, after following our projects on social media where we posted our color changing landscape lighting projects, knew he wanted the vibrant, color-changing lights. This choice promised not just illumination but an enhancement of his home’s nighttime charm, with the ability to tailor the ambiance for any occasion—from serene summer evenings to festive holiday nights.
By Christina Tollefson 11 Apr, 2024
Color Changing Landscape Lighting and Initial Thoughts I was speaking to a long-time client who recently upgraded every aspect of her extremely large waterfront home. She had removed the cabinets and the entire kitchen, and we had upgraded the audio/video/lighting and control systems. The interior designer did an impressive job on the interior design and decor, a photo-ready foyer that has had me and many others pulling out their phones to snap pictures. Amidst all of this, I mentioned that her home looked truly amazing during the daytime- but it looked very similar to the other houses on her block during the nighttime (knowing that she obviously wanted her home to stand out). She mentioned that she agreed, and it was also time for an outdoor change. I created a plan of attack to add some energy to her beautiful home that would make it truly a standout at night. We installed an FX Luminaire color-changing landscape lighting system.
By Christina Tollefson 27 Mar, 2024
Upgrade Your Summer Entertainment Florida summers—they can be hot, miserable, overwhelming, and nearly timeless—hoping your home air conditioning doesn't give out. Or, they can be your favorite time of the year. It all depends on your perspective. Up your summer entertainment game. Whether you have a house on the water, a palatial estate with acres of land, or a standard 1/3-acre lot in a subdivision like the majority of us, there are things you can do to enjoy your space and increase its entertainment value with TVs, outdoor speakers, and subwoofers.
By Christina Tollefson 15 Mar, 2024
Outdoor Entertainment Spring is almost here, and the long Tampa Bay summer is well on its way. Our daily highs are getting back to the 80's, and the low 90's will soon be a daily occurrence. In retrospect, were you satisfied with your outdoor entertainment area last summer?
By Christina Tollefson 18 Jan, 2024
In-wall Volume Controls: Trouble Shooting the System A popular sports bar in St. Petersburg, Florida recently contacted Entertainment Pros about in-wall volume controls that weren’t working. This job involved troubleshooting the in-wall volume controls. These controls are more than enhancing audio quality; it’s about the logistics and ease of using AV systems in commercial settings . And for this bar, managing the system quickly was critical. Once we started troubleshooting the system, we quickly realized the volume controller went bad. Not only did we need to replace the component, we had to field destroy the controller. Here’s the fun part…
By Christina Tollefson 13 Dec, 2023
Learn about the closure of A Sound Decision, a key player in the Pinellas County AV industry, and discover the emerging alternatives in the local audio-visual market.
More Posts
Share by: