Integrator Cinematic partnered with design company LuxArte on this exclusive cinema showroom in Warsaw’s National Opera Theatre, Poland. Layla Laidouci takes a look.
Ornate and classic, the Bentley Home Cinema presents a highly refined version of home theatre. It is not unlike the movies in telling its own grand narrative, only using AV technology and premium design.
Polish firm Cinematic planned the project with LuxArte, based at the National Opera House, Warsaw, to explore the role of AV in high-end interiors. Sensory features like textured wallpaper are the faceof an immersive Trinnov sound system, capable of multiple configurations. This collaboration not only stylises but repurposes the cinema room, making it a high-value package sought by audiophiles, artists and now automotive enthusiasts.
A symbol of luxury
From the beginning, this partnership aimed to deliver a hyper-comfortable experience. “We started the project in March 2024, working with LuxArte for the first time to equip its premium design with the best technologies,” says Andrzej Gratkowski from Cinematic. “We met LuxArte last year and started thinking about what a cooperation could bring.
“We were approached by the Bentley Home dealer from Warsaw, who wanted to explore another dimension to its products. As a result, we have showcased the company’s furniture range in the Bentley Home Cinema, a symbol of luxury entertainment that reviews the role of interiors in our enjoyment of media.” LuxArte’s décor challenges the vacuous and dark model we associate with home cinema. Plush Bentley furniture replaces recliners, while clean-cut marble and gold-finished walls bounce subtle lighting into the space. The cinema uses aesthetics to engage sound intimacy, making spectacle crucial to audio.
Steeped in history, the room houses AV accessories that speak to the character and tradition of a 200-year-old building: “The projector disappears into the ceiling when not in use, minimising the traces of a modern cinema,” says Gratkowski. “Alongside homely sofas and accessories, we installed a flat fixed screen with a bespoke cover that personalises the room.” The in-ceiling mount reduces overhead projection noise, using a mirror drop mechanism rather than protrusive lens to project onto the screen.
Design vs engineering
Cinematic ensured the technology in this showroom was based on recommended practices, bringing fresh installation standards to planning discussions. “Enabled by smooth communication, we liaised with LuxArte to ensure the showroom project adhered to industry standards, specifically the guidelines set forth in CEDIA RP22 - Immersive Audio Design Recommended Practice,” says Gratkowski. “This document served as the foundation for our planning and execution, ensuring that the audio performance met the highest standards of sound design.
“At times there was disagreement about the materials used in the room, particularly the fabrics. From a technical standpoint, we needed to use acoustically transparent fabrics to allow sound to pass through without distortion, critical for ensuring the performance of the speakers hidden behind them. However, LuxArte prioritised the aesthetic appeal, aiming to incorporate visually stunning materials that were not always acoustically ideal.
“Finding a balance between technical requirements and design preferences was essential. We managed to align on solutions that respected the acoustic integrity of the room while maintaining the luxurious aesthetic LuxArte envisioned. This synergy ensured the final result was both technically sound and visually captivating.”
Resisting pressure from the designer for a sculpture and drinks bar, Cinematic insisted on the importance of sound engineering to lift the room’s aesthetics. Trinnov’s WaveForming technology required subwoofer placements that also needed to comply with the room’s spatial limitations: Procella speakers are integrated in the walls and ceiling to provide discreet acoustics, guided by Trinnov engineers. “The installation of a modern cinema in the architecture presented unique challenges,”explains Gratkowski. “Structural alterations were limited, requiring precise planning to ensure both performance and aesthetic standards were met.”
Trinnov outlines the need for optimal subwoofer layout in its guide to WaveForming, a type of treatment that minimises sound wave interferences in theatre. The solution calls for ‘the same subwoofers within each array, the same bandwidth for both the front and rear arrays, and less power handling capability in the rear array than the front’.
“This sophisticated AV solution implements WaveForming technology in one of its latest deployments,” Gratkowski continues. “When we were designing this room, the technology was not yet available. We were in contact with Trinnov to check if we met its spec, looking to achieve something new with state-of-the-art sound management. Our home cinema room underwent an extraordinary transformation thanks to this solution.
“WaveForming technology requires at least six subwoofers, as we have observed on the front screen and back wall. They form a special set of interactions for acoustic field measurement.
“We recently had the honour of hosting David Meyerowitz, technical sales manager, international for Trinnov, at our Cinematic showroom. He flew in from England specifically to fine-tune our system and optimise the software, achieving unparalleled sound quality that traditional methods simply cannot match.
“It’s hard to find someone with more expertise in Waveforming than David—he is constantly travelling, training and fine-tuning the best cinema systems out there.”
Multiple configurations
The Trinnov processor enables configurations for various speaker setups, allowing Cinematic to demonstrate multiple audio solutions in a single room. This versatility offers different audio setups to clients, from a basic configuration to an immersive 22-speaker setup.
Procella P815 speakers with P15Si subwoofers deliver audio from the front stage of the cinema, boosted by a custom baffle wall construction. P6V and P5ICW speakers comprise a surround sound system compatible with Dolby Atmos, while six P18Si subwoofers are arranged in front and rear positions to implement WaveForming technology.
“This showroom is becoming popular in Poland,” adds Gratkowski. “We were approached by a famous Polish singer, Justyna Steczkowska, who wants to use the space to host Dolby Atmos auditions ahead of her new album.” Steczkowska, the runner up in Poland’s selection for Eurovision 2024, is known for her electronic discography suited to big sound.
Complete with a 4K laser Sony projector, this system aligns with Cinematic’s goal to tailor home cinema to various lifestyles: “The Trinnov system’s flexibility allows us to meet diverse preferences, from clients interested in basic setups to those desiring an immersive, high-end experience,” says Gratkowski. “The focus isn’t on renting this showroom privately – on special occasions celebrities can book it, but our purpose is to show new technology and fine design coming together under elegant branding.”
Expanding clientele
Cinematic has earned certifications from CEDIA, ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) and HAA (Home Acoustics Alliance). This partnership with LuxeArt advances the integrator’s portfolio and appeals to a new audience originating from the Bentley automotive group. Tech in this showroom cost approximately 300,000€ while a further 120,000€ budget was allocated to finishing. “The showroom’s select furniture was already chosen by our partner,”says Gratkowski. “Its place in a building surrounded by prestigious hotels and restaurants adds to our clientele.
“For example, we have an Event for Bentley Motors guests and the presentation of the new Bentley Continental GT Speed model lined up.The car was also placed in a glass enclosure in front of the entrance.
“Every time Bentley premieres cars or hosts a special event, it brings luxury car owners to our showroom. You can find Versace or Dolce&Gabbana at this LuxArte location, situating us in a network of luxury brands.”
Seeing is believing
Cinematic has installed AV equipment with a focus on human perception, sharing its passion for immersive tech with enthusiasts from multiple spheres. The Bentley showroom draws on tradition and home comforts to lend an understanding of high-end audio to a new type of buyer, highlighting a key message: you don’t have to be an AV specialist to recognise quality.
Tech Spec
Apple TV 4K streamer
Control4 Core3 controller
DT Motorised Mirror Drop in-ceiling projector mount with motorised mirror system
FiberPro 48Gbps HDMI optical cables
FutureNow P5 lighting module
OPPO UDP-203 Blu-ray disc player
Procella Audio DA-03 amplifiers
Procella Audio DA-08 amplifiers
Procella Audio P18Si subwoofers
Procella Audio P5iCW atmos loudspeakers (LTF, RTF, LTR, RTR)
Procella Audio P6V surround speakers
Procella Audio P815 speakers
LCR Screen Research FDM-140-1.78–UWB 165” diagonal video projection screen
Sony VPL-XW8100 4K laser projector
Topping E50 DACs
Trinnov Altitude 16 AV processor
Zidoo Z2000 PRO local media player