Is a home theater even worth it or doable?

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. 
 

@cody012 

You really answered the question with “I’m a huge TV and movie fan”. We are too and it is totally worth the investment. We have a 2 story open floor plan and movies are amazing ! Music is great too! You can see our system on my details page. Go for it! 

My Sister-In-Law house/dog sits for people while they travel ...

Many wealthy, larger spaces, bigger Monitors.

I am flabbergasted by the poor audio, it just boggles your mind. Aside from poor speaker choices, the placement, echos, hollow spots, OMG. Center channel speakers in odd places; fl/fr spaced wide, flat in walls, imaging off center problematic, let's not mention Monitors above Fireplaces.

Lousy light control (harder in large rooms).

Most are unable to explain how the system works to her before they leave, she often waits for me to visit just to get regular TV going. Then afraid to change anything.

Monster TVs, with Sound bars, 

..................................

AV consultants and I used to design high tech boardrooms, with custom remotes, tried to make it usable for brilliant executives. Eventually only 1 wiz kid from Special Projects ... could operate the damn thing. It's the same, brilliantly dumb.

IOW, RTFM, learn the fundamentals yourself, so you can figure it out/reset when something goes amis which is not if but when.

Open concepts are great and prefer them. A dedicated Home Theater is nice if you really have the perfect space but it is difficult to use the space or converse with guest when you are all facing the screen. I recommend in an open space that you build the Home Theater setup around the main couch (group of seating) and have the screen determine your locations of your speakers. The other areas and awkward angled seating just won’t have as good of an experience but they are not primary. The main 1-4 seats are what really matters (maybe more depending on the size of your family). You could always add a recessed motorized screen that drops down in front of the TV. A ton of options in an open concept!