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.
 

cody012

What is really needed. How much is too much or too little?
After I recently upgraded my AV center I had a left over NAD so I put it in my bedroom, hoping to liven up the Television there. A couple of days ago I was watching the TV W/O the NAD and though it had good sound and part of the fault might be the CHEAP Clipch speakers I connected to it, The TV along sounded better that when using the NAD.

I think in my lifetime, I've set up at least 12 home theater systems at 5 different houses now, some for me, some for friends/ family. And I will say this, yes, in my opinion, getting surround sound is worth it. Even if you're streaming. Having said that, you have to make sure that your streaming device will decode the latest signals. So my streaming source is an Apple TV. I use that and am able to get Atmos through HBO, Apple TV, Disney, Netflix and Amazon. (Hulu stinks and I don't think they have anything over stereo to my knowledge.) I know the Apple TV works with the streaming and sound formats, I'm not sure if other streamers such as a Roku, or Amazon stick are as compatible with other streaming services in delivering Atmos sound. (You'll also need the highest Netflix tier to stream in Atmos /4k too.) 

Next up is the TV. As others have said, if you want 85 inches, I think Sony is unbeatable. LG OLED and Samsung High end TV's compete with picture quality, but LG doesn't make an OLED that size, and Samsung doesn't support Dolby Vision. (And after switching from regular HDR to Dolby Vision, its game changing because your TV is automatically dialed in using DV and calibrated making the picture even better.) 

As far as sound goes, every step up will improve your experience. I have yet to ever hear good TV speakers, like, ever. They just don't sound good. A soundbar is certainly an option, and that would certainly be better than TV speakers. And, most good, two channel systems with a sub are going to best most soundbars. But adding speakers to your rear, sides, and ceiling, that's where it really becomes an immersive experience. So a "basic" 5.1.2 system is, in my opinion, the best bang for your buck. But, I have constantly upgraded my system to where I now have a 9.2.4 system, and my movie experience is now far better than having fewer speakers. So, if your room would be able to support that many speakers, I'd suggest to at least wire up a 9.4.6 solution while you can and that way you have the option to put in more speakers if you ever wish to. 

As far as speakers go, I have used Klipsch in-wall speakers, Focal's, but my favorite theater speakers are either Definitive Technology towers, or Golden Ear tower speakers. They both have built in subs, and their quality is great for music or movies, plus they manufacture complimentary speakers that you can use for surround and height speakers. Paradigm, Focal, Klipsch, there are really a lot of great options. 

I disagree with a lot of people here though who say you have to get a pre/pro and separates to start. I think a high-end receiver that has built in amps is perfect for most scenarios. Or, at least to start. Just make certain it has pre-outs for all your channels so that, if you choose to, you can offload the signal to an external amp if you ever want. Anthem makes a great receiver depending on the number of channels you want to start out with that can decode 7.2 channels up to 15.2 channels. (But you'd need an external amplifier to power some of those channels.) Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, they all have some good solutions as well with built in amplification so your starting costs are a lot lower, and you can add external amplification if you ever choose to. (And if you eventually move to external amps for all your channels, then you can move to a pre-pro only which would deliver a great sound too.) 

Anyway - that's my .02. One other thing of note too is your room size. If it's a small room, then 9.4.6 may be huge overkill. If the room is huge, that may not be enough. But yeah, with modern room correction software, good speakers, good sub or bass performance, in my opinion, I think it would be worth it to setup a multi channel surround system. (OH! And Music with Atmos, that's life changing! My two channel stereo sounds great, but when you get immersive audio involved, it's an entirely different experience.) 

I've had 5.1 AV surround system for over twenty years and can't watch a good movie without it  I also consider myself a bit of an Audiophile as I have a pretty good two channel tube stereo rig Now that I'm retired and have downsize, I have both my two channel and now 5.2 AV Emotiva XMC-2 system in a low profile credenza, so two separate systems Lately I've just been using just my main speakers, center channel plus two subs as I didn't want to run speakers wires for the rears But just recently I've added the SVS wi fi speakers for the rears and now I'm back in 5.2 AV heaven 

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It's pretty cheap and easy to add rear speakers to that mix and a nice subwoofer for those action movies.

It's pretty trivial to get set up.   You buy an inexpensive surround sound receiver from Costco, buy your front and rear speakers, and a subwoofer and you're good to go.  The investment here is probably $2K at most.  Half of a Saturday afternoon will do it.   The speakers don't even have to be expensive to enjoy it.   Listening to the surround sound movie tracks doesn't require anything more than adequate speakers.

Heck, the receivers include a microphone to ping the room for you and set themselves up appropriately.

What is your budget? Are ok buying on the secondary market? I have both in the same room, with XLR switch for HT bypass for Vinyl from my 2ch gear. Our house is open concept, the HT\2Ch is in the corner of the  L shapped floor plan. Its amazing both 2ch spinning and streaming movies. Trinnov, Kaleidoscape, ATV, FireTV, 77' OLED, and 3 subs. 5.3.4 :)