2. home-theater
  3. 1052501972

Is $18,000 enough for a high end HT?

This will be my first attempt at building a HT. My room size is: 19'L x 11'2"W x 8'H. This room is a library. I want high-end stuff. I want my windows to rattle when the Apollo 13 takes off. I want to be tempted to get up and dance when a good music score comes on. I want to build it myself as I think it would be a lot of fun. I have plenty of vacation time that I could use. The following is what I would expect:

1. A projector with Texas Instruments' Mustang/HD2 and 16:9 aspect ratio
2. Recessed screen
3. 5 on or in ceiling speakers (Thiel or Triad I’m thinking)
4. 1 Subwoofer
5. DVD player
6. Power Conditioner
7. Processor
8. A 5 channel Amplifier
9. Cables for the items on the list

When I priced every thing I wanted individually the price came to over 25K. Bare in mind $18,000 is a lot of money for me. However, I figured since we spend a ¼ of our lives watching TV it is well worth the investment. I invested some money a few years ago explicitly for my HT. Besides, I figured if my wife is not happy with all the money I will be spending, I could just say, that I am not taking the money from our cash flow, rather from a fund specifically set up for a HT. I am thinking maybe I should pull money out now. But is 18k enough? I am not willing to spend that kind of money if I will not have a great HT. Perhaps I should wait a couple of more years until I save up more money and the technologies go down in price. (I'm concerned that I will say that in two years again as I did two years ago. There are always newer technologies coming out.) I have no experience with any dealer and want to know if I could expect such a deal from a reputable authorized dealer. I read in Robert Harley’s book: “Home Theater For Everyone” that choosing the dealer is far more important then choosing the manufacturer of the components. In my experience for other purchases I find this to be very true. It seems there will always be tech support issues. Also, when I want to upgrade and add components, the dealer will know exactly what I have and all of my issues and I would be able to get his/her valuable input. I plan on adding within the next year or so, an AMX system for control, a video processor and an HDTV set top box.

The cables I would start off not so high end as I want to see for myself over time if they make a difference. However, the cables that would go in my ceiling I would want high end because it would be a big pain to replace those. I would also be flexible with the projector, I would settle for a refurbished or demo unit (with valid warranty). I would even settle for a good one that has an HD1 chip and an XGA resolution. I have seen some of those and they are definitely good enough.
captaincapitalism

Showing 5 responses by slappy

slappy
903 posts
 
Redwoodgarden

Ya know what, ive been thinking about doing that, there ARE problems associated with it, but nothing somebody cannot overcome.

My issue is this. My HT setup is in the rumpus room in the basement. The ol' lady and i really dont spend a whole lot of time down there. Mostly to watch movies. Most of the time we are upstairs or on the deck, or the kitchen, etc etc

So in my particular case, a 2 chanel music setup in the livingroom upstairs would probably be the most ideal, and leave the HT downstairs.

slappy
903 posts
 
Scottht

Yeah, i see what you are saying and i guess i kinda agree with you

What i got is great for movies, but it really doesent have the whole "Theater experience"

Ive seen chairs at american furniture warehouse that are designed for HT, pretty posh, but far from the best.

I wonder how many people have a high end HT. It seems like that would be an entirely different world than what most people have.

You'd need a HDTV, at least 63in HDTV or better yet a projector, 7.1 system pumpin at least 200 WPC on all identical full range speakers, instead of tratitional Small surrounds. Not to mention a couple 1000WPC subwoofers But i guess even that wouldnt be consider3ed high end even if you were running brystons. To have it a "High end" i guess i agree, it would require HT seating, massive sound dampers to give it that shush sound, Draps on walls, Sconce lighting, etc etc

I guess a high end HT would not only be good equipment, but also the atmosphere to provide the cinematic experience.
slappy
903 posts
 
Nrchy, good point.

25% of 24 hours is 6.

So CaptinCapitalism, you mean to say you watch 6 hours of TV a day? Wow.
Thats some true dedication!

I watch maybe 6 hours a week!

:)
slappy
903 posts
 
Wow. Alot of people have some pretty serious demands for a high end HT.

Im not too sure i agree with high end HT. Come on, its a movie. I have a HT system for under 10k that sounds absolutly incredible. I have yet to hear something better. Im not saying that its the best, im sure there are ones better than it, but sound-wise its fantastic. I dont have the HDTV yet, but non-the less, soundwise it is straight up to par.

If this is strictly a HT system and not 2chan, why not go budget and get great sound?

Here is a HT system that would cost under 10 grand and sound incredible.

Sunfire grand cinema approx 1,200 used
Sunfire 200w 5ch Amp, approx 1,000 used
Deftech BP2004TL, F/R/SL/SR, about 3,300 NEW
Deftech CLR about 800 New
Good DVD player Roughly 1000 new
Cable throughout estimate7,000
Projector, roughly 2000 used
TOTAL---------------------- total about 10,000

with the deftechs built in subwoofers, an additional sub is optional, but probably not needed. The above system would be a rocking home theater that would easily sound better than any of the cineplexes you might go to.

HT is so easy and cheap to make it sound great, Its a total different world than 2chan music, you dont need to invest a whole lot into it.

No offence to everyone else, but if you have to spend over 10k for a good HT setup, because you cannot appreciate a movie with the system listed above, you are pretty anal.
No "HIGH END" i guess 40,000+ is going to sound a whole lot better than the system i listed. It might sound a little better, but is that small improvement worth 30,000?

I can understand a 50,000 2ch setup, but not in a HT. unless you really just have money to burn and demand the best.
slappy
903 posts
 
18k for high end theater?
Probably not. High end is more than equipment, its installing a real movie theater with awesome gear in your house.

what will 18k get you?

a Damn good HT system.

Here is a recipet that would be hard, very hard to beat for that price.

Denon AVR-3803, 192/24b Dacs, 7.1, 110w ch MSRP 1200
Denon DVD 2900. DVD-A, SACD, Prog Scan. MSRP 1000
KEF Q1 bookshelf speakers. X 7 225.00ea MSRP 1575
Def Tech Supercube x2, Total=3000W, 1199Ea MSRP 2400
Speaker Stands, lets say 150 Each TOTAL 1050
Monster Cabling. Lets put a price cap at 1k.Total 1000
Mitsubishi WS-65859 65" HDTV Platinum series MSRP 4050
---------Total 12275----------

This will give you all the features, 7.1 sound from identical speakers (yes it makes a difference, same driver and same enclosure), you can play SACD, DVD-A, you have a big-ass screen...

You would have to spend quite a bit of money to beat this. You could always go with a projector, but only if you plan on using this solely for HT, or else you will watch TV in the dark.
The speakers are not too expencive, but they can easily compete with speakers far more expencive, these Q1s are awesome.
The Denon 3803 has just about the right power for these speakers, plus it has real clean sound for an AV, i own one of these and it is the best reciever i have ever heard.
The DefTech Supercubes provide enough bass to make your stomache churn. An if you ask me, DefTech makes some of the best subwoofers in the planet, specially for the price.

So, this leaves you with about 5,500 for Accoustical treatments, HT chairs, and a crap load of popcorn and a couple DVD's to get you going.

Not to mention enough to get some diamond earrings to get the wife off your back, and on your front. hahahaha
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