A basement near Cheltenham. A star ceiling overhead. Floor-to-ceiling screen filling the entire field of view. Dolby Atmos reverberating through hidden in-wall speakers. This is Project Moonstone — one of Zebra Home Cinema's dedicated cinema installations, built to demonstrate what becomes possible when the right space meets the right brief and budget.
Project Moonstone: The Brief
Project Moonstone is a dedicated basement home cinema designed and installed by Zebra Home Cinema near Cheltenham. The room sits at a specification tier accessible to clients who want a genuine cinema experience — not a media room compromise — with a budget reflecting the serious engineering involved.
"This just gives an idea of what we can achieve given the right sort of dimensions and budget."
The result is a room where every element — from the star ceiling to the acoustic subwoofer placement — works together to produce a transformative viewing experience.
The Technology Specification
Projection and Screen
The centrepiece of the image system is a Sony native 4K projector, chosen for its exceptional brightness — ideal not just for film, but for live television, sports, and gaming. The screen is a Miller and Kreisel (M&K) perforated 16:9 format, spanning from floor to ceiling for maximum immersion.
"When you've got a 16:9 screen that you can have from floor to ceiling, you can get fully immersed in the picture — almost like an IMAX experience."
The perforated screen allows the front speakers to sit directly behind the surface, keeping the soundstage precisely aligned with the on-screen action.
Audio: Dolby Atmos with In-Wall Architecture
The audio system is built around a fully in-wall configuration — no visible speakers anywhere in the room.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surround Sound Processor | Lyngdorf MP40 with RoomPerfect DSP |
| Power Amplification | Yamaha multi-channel power amplifier |
| Front Left/Centre/Right | M&K in-wall 150 loudspeakers (triple tweeters + dual drivers) |
| Surround/Rear Speakers | In-wall M&K (same dual driver + tweeter configuration) |
| Subwoofers | Mellon Chrysal IW28S in-wall (twin drivers each, x2) — one front-right, one rear corner |
| Control System | Control 4 (AV, lighting, and full room automation) |
The Lyngdorf MP40 with RoomPerfect is significant. RoomPerfect is a proprietary room correction technology that measures the acoustic properties of the space from multiple listening positions and applies precision digital correction. In a room like this — with multiple subwoofers, in-wall speakers, and acoustic treatment — the result is a consistently balanced sound across every seat.
The twin in-wall subwoofers are positioned in opposite corners (front-right and rear) for even bass distribution, eliminating the typical problem of low-frequency hot spots.
The Star Ceiling: Starscape Fibre Optics
One of the most visually striking elements of Project Moonstone is the Starscape fibre optic star ceiling — a custom-installed constellation of hundreds of individual fibre optic points, creating the illusion of a night sky overhead during viewing.
"This glorious ceiling from Starscape Ceiling Fibre Optics, expertly installed, really gives that wow factor."
The effect transforms the room from a high-performance cinema into an immersive environment — the kind of detail that clients remember long after the system specs are forgotten.
Seating: Front Row UK
The seating is by Front Row Seating — a UK-based manufacturer. The installation features dual-reclining seats with:
- ▪Dual-motor recline — footrests elevate independently from the seat back
- ▪USB charging integrated into each seat
- ▪Cup holders for each position
- ▪Deep navy fabric finish — acoustically preferred over leather, which can cause unwanted reflections
"Acoustically, we prefer fabric."
Acoustic Design: What's Real and What's Aesthetic
The room features custom fabric wall panels, but Arthur is candid about their purpose in this installation:
"Just to note — we're not really using these for any acoustic properties. It's purely for aesthetics."
The acoustic work in this room is done structurally — through the room geometry, subwoofer positioning, and the Lyngdorf RoomPerfect correction. The fabric panels are visual design elements that also happen to provide some diffusion, but they are not the primary acoustic treatment strategy.
This is an important distinction for clients: not all fabric panels are acoustic treatment, and not all acoustic treatment needs to be visible.
The Investment: What Does Project Moonstone Cost?
| Category | Investment |
|---|---|
| Full installation — room, equipment, seating, star ceiling | ~£60,000 |
This figure covers everything: the Sony 4K projector, Lyngdorf processor, M&K in-wall speaker system with dual subwoofers, Yamaha amplification, Control 4 integration, star ceiling, and Front Row seating. It is an all-in, fully installed price.
For a room of this calibre — dedicated cinema, full Dolby Atmos, room-corrected processing, star ceiling, and professional seating — £60,000 represents strong value at the dedicated cinema tier.
Key Takeaways
- ▪Project Moonstone is a dedicated basement home cinema near Cheltenham, installed by Zebra Home Cinema
- ▪Image system: Sony native 4K projector + M&K perforated floor-to-ceiling 16:9 screen
- ▪Audio system: Lyngdorf MP40 + RoomPerfect processing, M&K in-wall speakers (triple tweeter + dual driver front LCR), dual Mellon Chrysal IW28S in-wall subwoofers
- ▪Full Dolby Atmos immersive audio with no visible speakers
- ▪Starscape fibre optic star ceiling for the signature visual wow factor
- ▪Front Row Seating dual-reclining with USB charging, in deep navy fabric
- ▪Total installed cost: approximately £60,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dedicated home cinema cost in the UK?
Project Moonstone, a dedicated basement cinema near Cheltenham with Sony 4K projection, Dolby Atmos in-wall audio, Lyngdorf room correction, a fibre optic star ceiling, and professional reclining seating, was installed by Zebra Home Cinema for approximately £60,000 fully fitted. Entry-level dedicated cinemas typically start around £25,000–£30,000 for the room construction alone, with equipment budgets on top.
What is a fibre optic star ceiling in a home cinema?
A fibre optic star ceiling — such as those by Starscape Ceiling Fibre Optics — uses hundreds of individual optical fibres set into the ceiling to simulate a night sky during viewing. Each fibre point glows individually, creating a realistic star field effect. The lights can be dimmed, twinkled, or programmed to suit the mood of the screening.
What is the Lyngdorf MP40 and why is it used in home cinemas?
The Lyngdorf MP40 is a high-end surround sound processor featuring Lyngdorf's proprietary RoomPerfect digital room correction technology. RoomPerfect measures the acoustic characteristics of the room from multiple listening positions and applies precise correction curves to compensate for resonances, reflections, and standing waves. The result is a more accurate, consistent sound regardless of room geometry or speaker placement imperfections.
Are in-wall subwoofers as good as freestanding subwoofers?
In dedicated cinema installations, in-wall subwoofers such as the Mellon Chrysal IW28S offer significant advantages: they are completely hidden, do not take up floor space, and can be positioned optimally (e.g., in opposite corners for even bass distribution). When integrated with RoomPerfect processing, the results are equivalent to — or better than — freestanding alternatives in the same room.
What is Front Row Seating and is it good for home cinemas?
Front Row Seating is a UK-based manufacturer of home cinema seating, offering dual-reclining seats with motorised footrests, USB charging, and a range of fabric and leather finishes. For acoustic environments, fabric is generally preferred over leather — leather can cause unwanted reflections at certain frequencies. Front Row offers a balance of comfort, aesthetics, and price that suits mid-to-high-end dedicated cinema projects.
