If not for a case of mistaken identity, ListenUp’s Mike Chapman might never have ended up working with Denver star Nenê. “We had a client with a similar sounding name,” Mike explains, “so when our store received a call from someone on behalf of ‘Nenê,’ they forwarded it to me. It took me a moment to realize I was actually talking to the business manager for the basketball player Nenê!” It turns out he was experiencing some difficulties with the A/V system in his downtown apartment. Mike and technicians from ListenUp were able to help him out. That experience went so well that when Nenê and his fiancée Lauren subsequently bought a brand-new home, they once again went with Mike and ListenUp to create the media room in their basement.

Three flat-panels of high-def action
It probably comes as no surprise that the system is a sports fan’s dream, as a 52-inch flat-screen HDTV is flanked by two 37-inch models to provide access to multiple games at once. Speaking of games, the system also incorporates an Xbox 360 console, perhaps Nenê’s favorite feature. Asked if he’s always Denver when he plays the NBA game, or if he’s ever tempted to be Boston or Los Angeles, he lets out a hearty laugh.

“I’m always Denver! It’s a lot of fun because I get to be the players and the coach and G.M.”

Built-in sound that astounds
The 5.1-channel surround sound system features three identical B&W LCR8 in-wall speakers for the front channels, two CCM80 in-ceiling surrounds, and dual PV1 subwoofers for that added punch that really rocks the room. The electronics rack, which resides unobtrusively in an adjoining closet, contains a Rotel preamp/processor and amplifier, a Sony ES 400-disc DVD/ CD changer, the afore-mentioned Xbox console and three Comcast HD digital boxes to feed the flat-screens.

Everything is controlled with a Control4 touch screen, which is connected to the Internet and able to pull up and display the meta data — movie and album names, song titles, cover art, etc. — for many of the discs in the Sony changer. In addition, ListenUp is currently upgrading the system with advanced lighting and control options, which will also be easily managed on the Control4 touch screen.

“This whole thing is amazing,” says Nenê. “I think Lauren and I actually go out less because we love to have family and friends over to enjoy the system — and they’re usually jealous,” he laughs. “ListenUp really did a great job.”

Control4 Life