Ronald’s Home Cinema Journey: Building the Ultimate Audiophile and Cinematic Experience

Since I was a kid, my love for movies and gaming has shaped much of my life. Home cinema has always been a passion, a cornerstone of this hobby. While most people today are content with soundbars, that has never been my option—I’ve always wanted something better. Through the years, I’ve had various setups, each one a step closer to that perfect system.

My current system, which I’ve had for five years now, is my best one yet. My goal was to build a setup that supports all modern visual and audio formats, like Dolby Vision and HDR for stunning visuals, and lossless audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS

A master for immersive sound. I also wanted a system that is both musical and warm, which is why I chose Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) speakers. B&W speakers are a bit bright, so to balance that, I paired them with the Marantz SR7011, a receiver known for its warm, laid-back sound. The combination is fantastic—rich, musical, and visually striking.

For Atmos, I went with the KEF R50 Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, among the top models at the time. Unlike some generic options, these are officially licensed, ensuring they meet Dolby’s standards. There are two main ways to add Atmos to a setup: in-ceiling or up-firing speakers. Since I live in a small rental apartment and drilling into the ceiling isn’t an option, I opted for four up-firing speakers. While in-ceiling speakers provide a more direct sound, up-firing speakers create a diffused sound that extends the soundstage upward, adding a beautifully atmospheric dimension to movies and games.

For the low end, I chose the B&W DB3D subwoofer, part of B&W’s top-of-the-line DB series. This subwoofer is the most expensive part of my system and is worth every penny. It’s incredibly fast and musical with dual woofers—not one of those earth-shaking subs, but rather one that delivers a perfectly layered low end that blends seamlessly with the rest of the system. It’s calibrated and controlled via an app on my phone, with presets for movies, music, and more. In movies, it adds powerful depth without overpowering; in music, it’s subtle but effective.

Ronald’s Home Setup Pictures

When it comes to watching movies, I use the Dune Real Vision media player, which supports all the latest formats. After all, even the best system needs a top-quality source to perform at its best. Most of my movie collection includes 4K Blu-rays and standard Blu-rays that support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos/DTS

Master audio, allowing me to experience movies exactly as the director intended. I’ve kept the media players out of sight for a clean setup, hidden behind my cinema signs.

Controlling everything is easy thanks to my Harmony Elite Remote. With the press of a button, I can switch into “movie mode,” turning on everything needed for the ultimate cinematic experience.

My setup also caters to gaming, with the latest consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X), both with extended storage and pro controllers. I also have a high-end gaming PC for daily use, video editing, and gaming, and for something extra immersive, I have the Oculus Rift with room-tracked 3D controllers that make stepping into VR feel like entering another world.

For personal listening, I have a small collection of headphones:

B&W PX8
Sony WH-1000XM3
B&W PI7 Earbuds
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset (for gaming)

If I had to pick the most impressive part of my system, it would be the soundstage. Every element is perfectly balanced; sound fills the room without being localized to any speaker. They often say watching a movie with friends feels like a high-quality IMAX experience—at home. It’s something that has to be heard to be believed. The stunning visuals only add to this immersive experience, making my setup an incredible way to enjoy movies, music, and gaming.