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
Well a funny thing happened. I just came into a lot of money. I now have a budget of about $35K. I guess I should change the thread to: Is $35K enough?
Anyway, I just ordered my gear today. The gear is in my virtual system.
Try this...don't laugh now.

$ 200.00 JVC H/T receiver.
$ 500.0 Wharfedale Diamond speakers all around.
$ 1,000 Epson 30 projector
$ 8.00 A screen-size part of a wall painted in ceiling bright white paint.
A 100.00 Panasonic DVD
$ 50.00 worth of cables, the tranparent copper-colour kind.

Total cost, $ 1,858.00 - less if you shop wisely.

Now - Watch any lemon-dumb, or boring movie on a 30K system. Then watch ''Gladiator'' or any movie you absolutely love on this el-cheapo system full blast (within reason of course)in a dark room. Which one is more enjoyable?

I have owned some of the finest AUDIO gear out there, including some 15K speakers and kilobuck tube amps. And I can hear subtle differences as much as the next guy, as I am also a musician.

My point is this. For me, audio still rules as where I invest most money, and home theater is where I put my SMALLER investments.

The el cheapo H/T described above is the one I actually own. And I swear to you that, when the whole family - or friends sit down and start watching any James Bond movie, there are NEVER any complaints. Just fun for all.

You can do a lot better than this cheapskate sytem of course, especially given the ''my-system-is-better-than-yours'' fickle nature of most audiophiles. I do feel Home Theater is the area where the laws of diminishing returns kick in quite early.

Thanks for reading, had to comment on this...
I ordered a 76" Stewart StudioTec 130. 76” is smaller than I would have liked it, but I had to for practical reasons, as my library is 19’ long. For the time being I am using a white sheet stapled to the ceiling that’s 106”, with the price of having to sit in the very back of the room.
Lets see.........I invested just $5000.00 into my HT for my den at home and I can honestly say that it has a better sound quality then ANY movie theater that I've been to.

I'd say that $18000.00 will do just fine hahahaha

BKSinAZ