House music: $100,000 home entertainment system

This house has a pricey entertainment system that effectively turns it into four-storey jukebox.

The $100,000 system, which is at the top storey of Mr Ricky Lim's house near Serangoon Gardens, has a central network that streams music through a speaker on every level.

Family members can select songs and adjust the volume from anywhere in the house via their iPads. "The boys have similar tastes - they listen to Maroon 5 a lot," said Mr Lim of his two sons, who are aged 11 and 13.

The set-up also doubles as a massive entertainment system.

Mr Lim, 47, the managing director of BCS Information Systems, said it started with a quest to find the perfect sound as he loves music.

As he guided this reporter around his home theatre system with its huge 60-inch LCD TV, it became clear just how much effort went into the set-up.

This was no off-the-shelf purchase nor were the choices left to an expert.

Mr Lim wanted the best and he went around Singapore for about four months to find the ideal speakers.

He said: "My wife wasn't terribly excited because I was bringing her to different places just to listen to their sound systems."

But he said that while his wife was initially uninterested, she was impressed by the result.

"We both love music a lot, so this is a great way for us to relax and destress," he said.

He employed local sound and movie systems firm Clarity Group, as well as an interior designer, to set up his dream sound palace.

FAMILY BONDING

The speaker system includes two monolithic tower speakers on the flanks, a central speaker, a sub-woofer and in-ceiling surround speakers.

And it is for the whole family's enjoyment.

Saturday is movie night for his family, with the current favourite being US science-fiction epic film Avatar.

The benefit of watching at home is, of course, that "you can rent the movie you want instead of having to select from what's available in cinemas". Added Mr Lim: "It's a great way to bond with the kids, especially since my wife and I are very busy on weekdays."

This article was published on April 2 in The New Paper.

Get The New Paper for more stories.