Is a home theater even worth it or doable?

Check out the upcoming Nakamichi Dragon sound bar system with 2 subs and wireless surrounds. It is supposed to bridge the gap between sound bar and a separates system. Looks pretty cool!

I’ve run several large home projection systems and they were always separate from the two channel hifi. At one point, I was using all ARC tube amps just for home theater, with a projector, native rate scaler and various inputs, there was Blu, HD, and eventually streaming. I used big Snells and and 18 and 15 inch Velodynes, with Meridan controller, etc. I also used a McI controller -pre-pro.

I still run top tier hi-fi, but one area where trickle down has occurred is home theatre. In the old days, a Farjoudja line quadrupler was 20k; now it is a cheap chip in most TVs or pre-pros. I had my share of hi-end pre pros and the market for those diminished. The quality I get from a 3 grand pre-pro into McI solid state and 5.1 plus good sub and big flat screen is more than adequate for my needs. I sort of lost interest in re-creating the theatrical experience (though it was fun in the day, starting in the ’90s with big CRT projectors and laser disc), but the quality/cost is ratio is better for the consumer now- you get more quality for the money and the gear is far less massive in terms of equipment installation.

I dunno about sound bars. I like the rear channel effects, a lot of stuff I watch is in 4k and sometimes in Atmos, though I didn’t set up all those additional speakers.

Maybe I’m just satisfied with less, but honestly, TV sound has limits given how sound tracks, dialog, etc. are patched together and as long as I get good quality video signal (I have Google fiber at 1 gig, so monster bandwidth for cheap), I just stream movies and tv series. For what it is, it is fine.

Audio for serious listening is a different matter in my book which is why, no matter how elaborate the video system, I kept the two channel set up separate.

*G* Video of any nature is just part of the menu here...

Been screwing ’round with a Walsh surround, and playing with what’s improbable.

In possession of 4 large Ess amts’ to complicate or placate.

Keeps me preoccupied when I can’t.

Thinking DBS for the bottom.

And a space right-sized.

Wish me luck.

F luck.

Time

*L*

J

😏

Life

is a drain ;)

In 1998 long before BluRay, I bought a mid-fi 5+1 channel system.  Cost was around £8,000 but the 40 inch screen was £3,500 of that then.  It had a big Denon amp, Ruark speakers, REL sub, Panasonic player.  The screen blew after 14 years so I bought a 50 inch.  I changed the player to cover BluRays when they arrived.

I have enjoyed this system for 25 years and don't want anything better.  Don't want streaming either.  By contrast, my 2 channel system would cost £150,000 at today's retail.

It's whatever you want; don't ask us for advice on a question like this.  Test dem a high-end theatre system and see if moves you.  Act accordingly

I am a 2 channel person as well, but could not build this large dedicated listening room without taking into account family and friend gatherings, especially since not many of them have been exposed or experienced a truly immersive home theater. Plus, the wife said my space, all 33x22x10, is hogging, haha. It’s our retirement home build and last house we are building. 3rd listening room and theater. The room is being built with soundproofing concepts and front row seating is primarily setup for the 2 channel sweet spot. With 400 pound field coil horn speakers that have 15” forward bass drivers and 18” sub bass drivers, I plan on a listening distance of about 9-11 feet, and 13-15 for second row seats for movie watching. Screen width is 135” diagonal and speakers are Klipsch RCC 102 behind the screen professional theater speakers. I purchased the Klipsch system because it’s a literal plug and play solution. Unbox the speakers, set on ground behind screen and connect the speaker wires. The speakers are connected to each other and are all the same height. Plus, they are highly efficient. I learned with this 3rd theater, that having more efficient theater speakers is key to satisfactory movie watching without cranking up the amps. I also love to watch concert movies and home theater brings me closer to that experience.