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After two grueling years of plotting, planning, installing and configuring, we’ve finally completed the Audioholics Showcase Home. With over two miles of cable run behind dry wall, more than 40 speakers located around the house, and over 40 channels of amplification, we’ve got enough equipment to make a few IMAX theaters envious. All of the hard work has paid off as we are happy to report this project has gone pretty much according to design. Check out what we use as our reference test bed for conducting reviews and writing technical articles.

Our premier reference system belongs to Gene DellaSala (GDS), who performs some of our most technical and critical audio hardware reviews. This system features a main theater room which is very neutral, transparent and well balanced. Acoustics were provided by Auralex and the end result allows for hair-splitting details to be discerned when inserting a new piece of audio hardware/software for examination. It features an immense RBH Sound T-30LSE System and is outfitted with a robust Denon AVR-5805. This receiver supports two simultaneous multi-channel surround systems (the main theater and the master bedroom) and a Yamaha RX-V2700 and Emotiva MPS-1 power the Family Room. The home contains over 40 speakers with 4 front yard and 4 backyard speakers from Klipsch with powered subwoofers. Yes we rock our neighborhood!

Some people build cars, others work on boats… As an official Audioholic, my passion has been for consumer electronics for quite some time now. While boats and cars can be hidden away in garages (or front lawns depending upon what part of the country you live in), home theater projects take on a considerably more sensitive nature in that your living space takes the brunt of the disruption.

Reference System 3 is one of our entry level systems and we are pleased to inaugurate it into our collection. This system provides the nuts and bolts of a budget-conscious home theater. This is perfect for consumers looking to buy a select few pieces to really beef up a system's capabilities without breaking the bank. Audioholics plans to use Reference System 3 for a variety of reviews including media servers, flat panel displays, and home theater networking products.

Reference System 4 is our third benchmark system and we are pleased to inaugurate it into our collection. This system provides the ultimate in room acoustics and lighting combined with a high quality BenQ DLP front projector and Da-Lite screen and the some of the finest high end gear available.

This system has been a work in progress for many years, and has lived in several different types of spaces. The most recent change was adding a retractable Stewart Electriscreen. During the day, the room functions as a sunroom. It is brightly lit with natural light from five windows.

Starting many years ago with a meager HTIB, TV and VCR, this system has worked its way into a full home theater with 106” projection screen, full 7.1 audio setup, and high definition sources. You can read about his progression in “Am I an Audoholic?” The primary motivation behind upgrades for Reference System 6 has been primarily been a better video gaming experience, but movie watching was a close second. This theater is the primary screen for movies and daily TV viewing. Of course, music is a part of the Robbins’ household, so there is also a separate 2-channel system in the main living room.