Immersive by Design: From Recording Studios to Cinematic Masterpieces with Richard Charschan of AcousticSmart

This is the first feature in our Immersive by Design series, spotlighting the theater artists behind the world’s finest JBL Synthesis cinemas. Behind every extraordinary home cinema is not just great technology—but a visionary designer who transforms a room into an unforgettable experience. In this series, we speak with leading theater designers who have brought hundreds of JBL Synthesis-powered cinemas to life. From acoustics and aesthetics to the integrator partnerships that make it all possible, these experts share their creative process, lessons learned, and why JBL Synthesis remains their reference standard in high-performance private theaters.

For Richard Charschan, founder of AcousticSmart, the path to luxury home cinema design began with a love of music and construction. “I grew up playing music, working in my family’s high-end construction business, and even built my own recording studio,” he recalls. “I saw firsthand how acoustics could transform a space.”

His first theater project came by chance, helping an audio integrator who didn’t understand the value of acoustic treatment. “The client was blown away. He even gave me a bonus because the results exceeded his expectations. That’s when I knew I had something special,” Charschan says.

Since then, AcousticSmart has become synonymous with highly customized, acoustically perfected home cinemas that blend technical precision with thematic storytelling that immerses clients in their favorite worlds.

Designing the Impossible

Charschan’s process always starts with the client’s inspiration or an architect’s concept. From there, his team solves for sightlines, projector throws, speaker placement, and acoustics, often finding creative ways to merge aesthetics with performance.

For example, in an Egyptian-themed theater featured in his book Home-Theaterology, the client wanted real stone walls. But real stone would have destroyed the acoustics. “So we created acoustically breathable fabric printed with a stone pattern. It looked so real, you had to touch it to believe it wasn’t stone. And the sound was perfect,” he explains.

Integrator Partnerships that Feel Like Family

Charschan doesn’t just work with integrators; he considers himself part of their team. “We’re involved from framing to finishes. We coordinate HVAC, electrical, lighting, and noise reduction so integrators can focus on the rest of the house. We’re a true partner, not just a vendor.”

Once the theater layout is finalized, AcousticSmart shares detailed drawings with the integrator in order to catch technical issues early and ensure all AV specs are seamlessly integrated into the design.

Why JBL Synthesis Is His Go-To

For more than 25 years, JBL Synthesis has been Charschan’s preferred audio solution. “There are very few brands that can rival commercial cinemas in a residential setting like JBL Synthesis. Their wide-dispersion tweeters, deeply tuned subs, and in-home calibration service create an immersive experience that completely transports you,” he says.

He points to the Eargle Theater at HARMAN’s Northridge HQ as the ultimate showcase. “Every time we bring a client there, they leave smiling because they finally understand what’s possible. 

Unforgettable JBL Synthesis Projects

Among the many standout projects is a 113,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles. “The cinema room was the size of a commercial theater, with a screen the size of a house. The JBL Synthesis speakers were so massive that my foreman literally stood inside a speaker cavity to show the crew its scale,” Charschan says with a laugh.

Another favorite was a New York attic theater with a low, pitched roof. “We worried about the room shape and millwork, but after acoustic adjustments, it became one of the best-sounding rooms we’ve ever built,” he recalls.

Looking Ahead at New Challenges

Charschan is now seeing an uptick in video wall-based cinemas, which present unique speaker placement challenges. “JBL Synthesis has already been working on solutions for these layouts, and so far, they’ve been incredibly successful,” he notes.

As technology evolves, so do client expectations. “Our clients want more than just to watch a movie—they want to feel it. And with JBL Synthesis, we can deliver that every time.”

“Even in the most complex, high-concept theaters, JBL Synthesis provides the reliability, scalability, and support we need to make the impossible possible,” says Charschan.

Get in touch with AcousticSmart: www.acousticsmart.com