Is a home theater even worth it or doable?
Please be honest with me. I'm a huge TV movie fan as I'm sure many of you are, and in my youth I used to have a Denon setup, blu-ray, etc. I loved the experience. Fast forward 25 years and now I just stream my tv and movies off Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu. We are doing a new addition where we have an open space concept. I see myself continuing to stream in the future, but would like a clean sound at least. I am treating myself to an 85" TV not sure the make model yet, but I want a big one. Does it make sense for me to even invest in something more then a sound bar given my streaming and open concept? If so, what type of setup should I consider or if I should prewire something up and where would that be? Thanks for your advice.
I think home theatre is very enjoyable and not that hard. While my 2 channel system is what I consider high end, my home theatre is relatively standard wtih a Denon 4700 HT reciever. I use pre out from the Denon into my 2 channel amp for the front speaker and then have relatively inexpensive speakers ($1000 a pair or less) for rears and surrounds. 2 relatively inexpensive subwoofers and Top Gun sounds like I'm on deck. Good luck, Jerry |
If you are considering an 85" TV make sure to check out short throw projectors, they work great. Smaller footprint, bigger picture, more value: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-short-throw-projectors/ You should get a receiver capable of 7 bed channels, 4 height channels and at least two subs like the new Onkyo, Denon, or Anthem. Then start with as many speakers as you like and simply add as budget allows, no need to go all in at once. KEY- all speakers should be same brand and ideally same series. I prefer monitor speakers with subs instead or towers but YMMV. |
As for HT speakers these THX Ultra2 by Klipsch would be at the top of my list to partner with a receiver. : https://www.klipsch.com/products/thx-ultra2-home-theater-system
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I started HT 5.1 since 1990. I had walls of equipment and still love HT experience. There is not much sound difference between HT 2 chs and Hi-Fi 2 chs audios. They both have veil, glare and un-natural sounds. I think HT is much more enjoyable than 2 chs because in HT, I don’t have keep track for sound details, images, and stage like 2 chs. HT gives me everything in sound that I can truly relax (or exciting) and have a fun. Unless you must listen older CDs, you can listen so many music and movie in the internet. I wouldn’t started 2 ch audio seriously if I knew the natural sound in reproduction audio doesn’t exist. I found it after investing so much money in 2 chs and 3 decades of effort later. Though I am glad that I started 2 chs now because I made the true natural sound audio system. Alex/ Wavetouch audio |
Yes, it's worth it if you are a film buff and have the space and separate walls from neighbors to make it worth your while. It's not really that hard. At a basic level, it just involves setup and tuning to get the sound right. The hardest part is probably the subwoofer setup if your room isn't an ideal in shape and treatment. Soundbar is always a compromise—even the premium soundbar setups. I'd recommend a 2.1 stereo + subwoofer vs. going with any soundbar solution. At least, you'd know your music is going to sound decent while your movies will still get a decent size soundstage. |
