2. home-theater
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Is $18,000 enough for a high end HT?

This will be my first attempt at building a HT. My room size is: 19'L x 11'2"W x 8'H. This room is a library. I want high-end stuff. I want my windows to rattle when the Apollo 13 takes off. I want to be tempted to get up and dance when a good music score comes on. I want to build it myself as I think it would be a lot of fun. I have plenty of vacation time that I could use. The following is what I would expect:

1. A projector with Texas Instruments' Mustang/HD2 and 16:9 aspect ratio
2. Recessed screen
3. 5 on or in ceiling speakers (Thiel or Triad I’m thinking)
4. 1 Subwoofer
5. DVD player
6. Power Conditioner
7. Processor
8. A 5 channel Amplifier
9. Cables for the items on the list

When I priced every thing I wanted individually the price came to over 25K. Bare in mind $18,000 is a lot of money for me. However, I figured since we spend a ¼ of our lives watching TV it is well worth the investment. I invested some money a few years ago explicitly for my HT. Besides, I figured if my wife is not happy with all the money I will be spending, I could just say, that I am not taking the money from our cash flow, rather from a fund specifically set up for a HT. I am thinking maybe I should pull money out now. But is 18k enough? I am not willing to spend that kind of money if I will not have a great HT. Perhaps I should wait a couple of more years until I save up more money and the technologies go down in price. (I'm concerned that I will say that in two years again as I did two years ago. There are always newer technologies coming out.) I have no experience with any dealer and want to know if I could expect such a deal from a reputable authorized dealer. I read in Robert Harley’s book: “Home Theater For Everyone” that choosing the dealer is far more important then choosing the manufacturer of the components. In my experience for other purchases I find this to be very true. It seems there will always be tech support issues. Also, when I want to upgrade and add components, the dealer will know exactly what I have and all of my issues and I would be able to get his/her valuable input. I plan on adding within the next year or so, an AMX system for control, a video processor and an HDTV set top box.

The cables I would start off not so high end as I want to see for myself over time if they make a difference. However, the cables that would go in my ceiling I would want high end because it would be a big pain to replace those. I would also be flexible with the projector, I would settle for a refurbished or demo unit (with valid warranty). I would even settle for a good one that has an HD1 chip and an XGA resolution. I have seen some of those and they are definitely good enough.
captaincapitalism
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,685 posts
 
Jeow wrote: "If it looks and sounds good to you then it's high-end." By that token, anything is high end including a $20 table radio.

OTOH, I agree with your specific suggestions and reiterate that the OP should avoid in-ceiling speakers all around.
ksales
228 posts
 
Folks at some point you define the product. If I say I am buying a high auto and buy a buick is that high end? As opposed to a mercedes 500 series or a porsche. You can certainly get good deals on high end equip over the web, but it is not snobbery to suggest their are simply different quality levels of equipment with a different price tag. If you spend 18k and love the equipment so be it. The initiator of this thread put the tag highend next to the price tag. The question may have been better put can I get a good system for 18k, and the answer is with research of course.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
One man's high end is another man's low end in this audio/video game, projectors can eat up a budget real quick so you need to shop around in that department for a good deal. Spend some time at the avs forum reading and asking as much as you can about projectors. Things are, and will continue to change so fast in the video world that what you buy today could be outdated very soon, this computer I am typing on was state of the art just three years ago, a lot can change in a short time. With HDTV, HighDef. DVD comming in the future and who knows what on all the interface types for these products. That being said, you need to stay up and even ahead of the curve on what ever type of video you go with, projector/RPTV/Plasma or any of the other new kids on the block. The audio part of the system is not as great a risk to become outdated, most of the new audio modes are bells and whistle types of add on anyway. If your handy with tools and understand how to set up a two channel system, then with a lot of reading, thought, and care you will have a great sound system, the internet is a wealth of info. and a great place to buy used audio gear. You should do very well for $18,000 if you put the time and effort into it. I have had just such a project going on for about a year now ( I am slow ) and it's been fun and very rewarding.
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
18,000 will get you a great HT system, do the home work and buy here on Agon and DONT listen to the no you can't people! Remember the $18,000 is going to get you approx. $36,000 retail if you buy used!
I would pay much attenion to the electronics first then the video! Another thing is how you match up componets as this is very important, have heard many $50,000 systems that could have been better considering what they spent!! Just my $18,000 worth!
Happy buying spree!!!!!!!!
jimbo3
304 posts
 
The new Panasonic projector that Tpidgeon mentioned is the PT-L300U. It's been out since January and is NOT a data projector like most in that price range. I had the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison with a $12,000 projector that was just a couple of years old and the differences were, at most, slight. It's available for under $2000. Mitsubishi also makes a nice unit for around $3500. I don't remember the model, but think it started with "XD". It's not really much better than the Panasonic, but has a few more lumens for room applications that have more ambient light.

Da-Lite has a new screen that isn't in their catalog quite yet (but I think it's on their website under "new products") called "high contrast matte white" and is great for use with projectors. Da-Lite's customer service is great, too. Stuart is SERIOUSLY over-priced, IMHO.

That'll leave you with a little extra cash to spend on better sound, acoustic treatments for the room (very important) and a second sub.

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