Is a home theater even worth it or doable?

@kota1

Yes, I’ve been too lazy to get my system profile(s) up (5 total). Sorry. My HT set up is essentially at Kaleidescape-based system with big Marantz receiver, B&W’s all around (ATMOs) and Sunfire sub. This is what I settled for after retirement. We chose a motorhome over the ultimate HT. It was the right call for us. In my "part time" 75-hour work week, I was heavily involved with Marantz, Mac and Arcam electronics (and some Sony ES, Pioneer Elite and Denon). Along with B&W, we used Golden Ear, Klipsch, and JL Audio subs. REL subs were on my "wish list" but I hit the eject button on my career before this happened. Separates are far more definitive in my experience. Even at low volume levels.

My post was centered around the dedication to those who write and produce movies. I’ve discovered that there is a lot that goes into the most mediocre of scenes that is under appreciated (or, lost entirely) without the right setup. Hearing things at home the way the sound engineer intended certainly adds a level of enjoyment and appreciation for the work.

Sounds like you’re still at it. Good luck with that.

I will tell my (2 channel guy) story:

Dont watch much TV. Just had a tele on the wall and couple crappy B&W wall mount speakers. Then I added a Velodyne Micro Vee sub. wow much improvement.

New GF likes streaming movies and with all the new HD concerts on the YouTubes i figured I would build up a modest AV platform. Gots new Tele, got a Denon AV receiver on close out, those are alway available for considerable discount. Added a couple of nice used bookshelf speakers and then got another deal on a used nice center channel from LD. Then got lucky and a friend gave me a nice DAC. Kept the Velodyne sub. All in proly got ~$3k totally invested in I suppose what would be called a 3.1 system. Don’t really need the surround stuff for my requirements. Just added a cheap blue ray player the other day to primarily watch music performances.

It took some time and frustration to get the AV dialed in to make the system balanced and sounding good. Lots a knobs to turn and new things to learn about the set up.

To anwser you question: I think its totally worth doing as you can go as small or as big as you want and make the system sound a bunch better than a fancy sound bar. And totally worth doing if you like watching concerts. I just checked out a blue ray from the library of Sonny Rollins 1965 performance in Denmark with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on standup bass. Alan Dawson in drums, Dawson taught some of the most famous jazz drummers in the world. After watching this I am soooo glad I invested.

https://www.jazzicons.com/ji3_rollins.html

I think it all depends on how much time you spend watching vs. listening.  I set up a modest HT (Marantz Pre-Pro, Marantz 5 channel (use my McIntosh Integrated to power main speakers) Oppo 83SE BluRay), and find that I’m watching the news or sports and that’s about it.  It’s complete overkill for what we do.  We are moving and I’m selling off the HT components.  In the new home, I will do a larger TV and a high quality sound bar.  I will keep my 2 channel system completely separate from any video duties.  

If you’re a true movie buff then a good HT system is definitely worth the time and effort.  For me, it was not used enough in that capacity to justify keeping it at the new home.

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 https://routerlogin.uno/.

I got this,...

The answer is NO. 90% of sound quality depends on your room - 95% of people don't have such a special room...(non-residential rectangular room with concrete or brick walls, heavy and hard wooden floor, sloped ceiling)...
Plasma TV is the most analog picture - the most fun, more like film ... but you will not find a panel of this size now ... You can find a projector, but a quality screen will cost 5 times more.
Films with effects - they are made for children ... an adult serious movie - even mono sound is enough for him - a goavy plot and acting.
If there is a good movie (for example Avatar 1) - visit IMAX ...
Do not throw money and time out the window = life is short!

I saved you a lot of money - visit sick lonely people - they will be very pleased, and you will make your soul better.