Home Theater Poll

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you have multiple systems you'd call Home Theaters, pick one of them. (duh?)

I was thinking of starting off asking what people thought of as defining a HT, but decided against it. I don't care if you call your 14" TV a HT. That's ok with me.

With all the people buying new TVs I thought I'd get a feel where ATOT stands on the subject.

As if it's not long enough, I'll gladly add questions to it if anyone has any ideas. Feel free to let me know if any changes should be made to it to reflect other options (It's 4:30am for me right now)

Thanks for giving a detailed answer biggestmuff

If anybody wants to do the same without typing out all the questions like he did, copy and paste this into your reply... or quote me and edit... or do whatever you want

What is your display type?


What is your display size?


What is the aspect ratio of your display?


What most closely matches your display resolution?


What is your sound system like?


Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)


What is your system used for?


What do you enjoy more?


What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?


How much did you spend total?


How is your placement?


What kind of room is it in?


How did you pick out your components?


Did you / are you getting your money's worth?










Zombie home theater thread gets moved to home theater.

ATOT Moderator ElFenix

 

[biggestmuff]

What is your display type?

Samsung DLP
HL-S6188W

What is your display size?

61"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?

16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?

1080p

What is your sound system like?

7.1

Klipsch speakers; RB-61s for FL/FR, RC-52 for C and four RS-42s for the side- and rear-surrounds. I'm using a Sony SA-WM40 subwoofer until I can decide on the right SVS sub.

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)

No

What is your system used for?

50% DVD
30% HD Broadcasts
15% High Resolution Music (SACD/DVD-A)
5% Other Music (Radio/CD/MP3)
-No High Definition Discs yet.

What do you enjoy more?

Depends. I like experiencing the big action films or films by my favorite directors or DPs in the theater.

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?

1:1 even spending, but it's probably more like 2:1 towards audio.

How much did you spend total?

$5001 to $6000.

How is your placement?

Display / Speakers are in good positions (measured distance from listening position, followed dolby guidelines, etc.)

What kind of room is it in?

It's in the living room.

How did you pick out your components?

Did some demo-ing without any research / advice.

I did lots of research to narrow my choices down, then went to several shops to demo the equipment.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?

Yes. I saved close to $1500. The TV dropped by $700 on the 29th day that I owned it. Tweeter has a 30 day price match policy. Got lucky there. OneCall had my Onkyo 804, the brand new model, on sale for $799! And then my Klipsch setup happened to be on sale as well. I save a few hundred on those. So, I'd say I definitely got my moneys worth!

link to HT pics

 

[akshatp]

Too many damn polls FTL!!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Too many damn polls FTL!!

There, I added a warning

 

[aircooled]

My 4:3 CRT was purchased as a gap filler until I'm ready to buy HD.

I do have a projector I can whip out for movies, but nothing is high-end stuff here.
I have an Onkyo TX-SR503 receiver for audio with a 5.1 set of Yamaha speakers attached.

 

[Captante]

What is your display type?

Sony direct-view CRT


What is your display size?

34 Inch


What is the aspect ratio of your display?

16:9


What most closely matches your display resolution?

720p / 1080i


What is your sound system like?

Wharfdale 5:1


Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)

What?!?


What is your system used for?

DVD Movies, HDTV (mainly sports), Standard TV


What do you enjoy more?

I still really like intense special effects on a big screen but everything else I'd rather watch at home.


What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?

2:1 Video, but only because I got an incredible deal on my WD speakers ... retail was $900+ for the set but I got them for $170!


How much did you spend total?

Approx $2400


How is your placement?

Just ok... the wife cares a lot more about how it looks then how it sounds!


What kind of room is it in?

Living room


How did you pick out your components?

Some demos, lots of my own research, but I stumbled on the speakers by chance stashed deep in a Comp-USA warehouse & convinced the manager to sell them to me way below cost ... although I knew the brand name, I didn't know how good they sounded until I got them home & set them up.


Did you / are you getting your money's worth?

No question about it ... although I'd really like to have a larger screen, the picture quality of my CRT is as good as anything I've seen & the HK receiver I have paired with the Wharfdales is just amazing for the price, especially compared to a couple of my buddies setups that cost over twice as much.

 

[Midlander]

I'm not sure my brain works that well this early in the morning. I'll try to answer later today.

Good poll, though. :beer:

 

[SearchMaster]

What is your display type?
DLP projector (infamous Infocus 4805)

What is your display size?
100"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16x9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
480p

What is your sound system like?
5.1

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
no

What is your system used for?
Mostly games (I have 3 kids)

What do you enjoy more?
Watching a movie on my own system

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
I answered 1:1 even spending but after thinking about it, it was about $950 for video and $600 for sound. My first answer was flawed because I moved my systems around after I bought the projector.

How much did you spend total?
$1501 to $1700

How is your placement?
I answered Randomly set up , but there was really SOME attempt to place them as well as possible, so it probably should have been "ok positions"

What kind of room is it in?
Another room with shared duties - in a basement that also serves as the kids' playroom, and I love the way I'm able to utilize the space with a dropdown screen.

How did you pick out your components?
Researched on my own - got an outstanding deal on a H/K receiver and Polk speakers, and bought one of the Woot projectors

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yes, but only because everything was done on such a low budget. My wife and I don't have nearly enough time to enjoy our HT but it is fun to play video games with the kids from time to time. If I had spent $5K+ on our system, it wouldn't have been worth it for us.

 

[Slammy1]

What is your display type?
LCD

What is your display size?
37"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080p

What is your sound system like?
5.1

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
I turn up my sub really loud...

What is your system used for?
Music, movies, video, HD, gaming. Route most of my entertainment system through the PC.

What do you enjoy more?
Home for the pause-ability

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
ca 3:2 Sound:Video

How much did you spend total?
Around $3500?

How is your placement?
Logical with some recommended placement. I'm sorta restricted by room shape, but play around with the sweet spot for sound by ear.

What kind of room is it in?
Living room

How did you pick out your components?
At first, friend recommendation and listening to things at stores. Later, based on reviews for purpose.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Meh, maybe. I use it alll a lot but I'm sure I could've done a lot better knowing what I know now vs when I started putting things together.

 

[DaveJ]

What is your display type?
DLP rear projection

What is your display size?
58"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080P

What is your sound system like?
5.1

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
Movies/games mostly, some music

What do you enjoy more?
Everything. It rocks!

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
About even. $3000 each on sound, display.

How much did you spend total?
About $6K, spread over 4 years (got the sound in 2002, TV in 2006)

How is your placement?
Display and speakers in ideal placement

What kind of room is it in?
13x22 living room

How did you pick out your components?
*Lots* of research

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Definitely. Spend the extra money to get good sound as well as a good display, and you won't regret it.

Dave

 

[lokiju]

What is your display type?
CRT rear Projection

What is your display size?
46"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080i

What is your sound system like?
5.1

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
HD Video

What do you enjoy more?
Watching a movie on your own system

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
3:1 video

How much did you spend total?
$1,300ish but got my receiver for free (gift, worth around $400)

How is your placement?
Display / Speakers are in ok positions

What kind of room is it in?
Livingroom

How did you pick out your components?
Researched on my own

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yes (I think so at least)

 

[BurnItDwn]

What is your display type?
CRT rear Projection

What is your display size?
61"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
4:3

What most closely matches your display resolution?
480i

What is your sound system like?
6.1

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
DVDs + other non-hd material

What do you enjoy more?
Watching a movie on your own system

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
About 1:1 (maybe closer to 1.2:1 with slightly more spending on video)

How much did you spend total?
$3500ish (several years ago)

How is your placement?
Display / Speakers are in ok positions

What kind of room is it in?
Living room

How did you pick out your components?
Did some demo-ing with research / advice

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yes, I've gotten my money's worth over the last several years.


Sooner or later, I'll buy a house with a basement and sell my townhome without a basement. Then I'll be upgrading to some type of front projection based system after I finish and soundproof the basement.


EDIT:
Well, I've bought the house with a basement, and my townhouse is on the market ....
10 x 17 room in the basement will be converted to a theater room (though it may wind up being a dual use theater/rec room for bad weather .... I'll be moving in the next few weeks ... then I'm broke until about 4 or 5 months after selling the townhouse .... then maybe I can start to think about getting a projector and refurbishing the room .... (right now it's finished with a drop ceiling, paneling on the walls, and tile floor ... not the best acoustics ..)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[apac]

What is your display type?
Front Projector, InFocus 4805

What is your display size?
86"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
480p

What is your sound system like?
5.1

Klipsch RF-35, RC-35, RS3-II, Hsu VTF-3 Mk II subwoofer

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
Movies, HD content (downgraded to 480p still looks leagues better than sdtv)

What do you enjoy more?
Still enjoy going to a real movie theater more because I don't have a dedicated HT room.

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
1:10 (video vs sound)?. Scored the projector used for $250 shipped.

How much did you spend total?
$2500

How is your placement?
Display / Speakers are in good positions (measured distance from listening position, followed dolby guidelines, etc.)

What kind of room is it in?
Another room with shared duties. Living room + kitchen is a large room without separation, I use a ~12x10 foot nook for my HT.

How did you pick out your components?
Researched on my own extensively

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Hell yes.

 

[iRONic]

What is your display type?
Samsung HL-S5087W DLP

What is your display size?
50"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080p

What is your sound system like?
5.1
Klipsch Promedia Ultra
Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
DVD/HD TV/SD TV

What do you enjoy more?
I hate going to a theater!

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
Mostly video. The Promedia Ultras are just an interim solution.

How much did you spend total?
~$1700.00

How is your placement?
Display / Speakers are in good positions (measured distance from listening position, followed dolby guidelines, etc.)

What kind of room is it in?
Dedicated family room in the basement.

How did you pick out your components?
Researched on my own extensively.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
I sure as hell hope so! The TV is being delivered next week.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

What is your display type?
Direct View CRT

What is your display size?
34"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080i

What is your sound system like?
Integrated sound. Still waiting for the funds to get the sound setup.

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
Nope.

What is your system used for?
Mostly SD stuff (Tivo), but we really got the set for movie watching.

What do you enjoy more?
It depends. Watching action movies on the big screen can't be beat... for other stuff I could go either way.

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
All video, for now.

How much did you spend total?
1300-ish

How is your placement?
OK, would like it a little better, but the room layout is difficult.

What kind of room is it in?
Living room.

How did you pick out your components?
Extensive research on my own.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yup.

 

[Nohr]

What is your display type?
Plain old CRT.

What is your display size?
25"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
4:3

What most closely matches your display resolution?
480i

What is your sound system like?
4.1 (fronts, rears & sub)

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No

What is your system used for?
Mostly music and some TV, plus the occasional DVD.

What do you enjoy more?
I prefer watching movies at home. Why would I have spent the money otherwise?!

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
Around 3:1 in favor of audio.

How much did you spend total?
$1250'ish, though a bit over $300 of that were gifts.

How is your placement?
Followed dolby guidelines as best as my room allows. Nothing has been calibrated.

What kind of room is it in?
Living room

How did you pick out your components?
A lot of internet research. No listening demos.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yes, very happy with it all. Big upgrade from <$100 Logitech PC speakers!

 

[Linflas]

What is your display type?
DLP Rear projection

What is your display size?
62"

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080i

What is your sound system like?
Sub, fronts, rears, and a center

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
No (sorry screwed your poll on this one by not reading carefully)

What is your system used for?
Watch TV/DVDs

What do you enjoy more?
In an ideal world I would have the CinemaScope theaters they had when I was a kid coupled with todays sound technology. Given that most theaters today are cramped little boxes filled with noisy, rude people with sound bleed over from the surrounding theaters I enjoy watching movies at home.

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
$2500 for the DLP, $700 for the sound.

How much did you spend total?
+/- $3600.00 for everything

How is your placement?
The video is optimal for size/distance. The front/rear speakers are probably not since they are corner mounted aimed towards the room center.

What kind of room is it in?
Upstairs family room.


How did you pick out your components?
Lots of research on my own.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
Yes but I would be happier if there was more high def content being broadcast.

 

[biggestmuff]

I included pics in my post abvove

 

[funboy6942]

Here you go yoyo, a pic finnaly of my HT room. Got NFS on the big screen.
Lights are on above me and some sun is coming through the windows. I also got a ton of pics of The 5th, LOR, and some others if you want to see them. I am trying to upload them but as usual Image shack keep booting me off so its taking me for ever.

Projector:
Optoma H31 $599 NEW AR

Screen:
Elite 100" $59.99 from Tiger Direct

Sound:
Logitech Z5500 $250

Total:
$910

Enjoyment playing games and movies on it with my family:
PRICELESS

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
I included pics in my post abvove

Nice looking entertainment center

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Here you go yoyo, a pic finnaly of my HT room. Got NFS on the big screen.
Lights are on above me and some sun is coming through the windows. I also got a ton of pics of The 5th, LOR, and some others if you want to see them. I am trying to upload them but as usual Image shack keep booting me off so its taking me for ever.

Projector:
Optoma H31 $599 NEW AR

Screen:
Elite 100" $59.99 from Tiger Direct

Sound:
Logitech Z5500 $250

Total:
$910

Enjoyment playing games and movies on it with my family:
PRICELESS

Ok, I think I have you conviced on Front Projection now.

Time to start saving up for a sound system :laugh:

 

[secretanchitman]

What is your display type?

Sony VPL-VW100 1080p projector - pretty sure its SXRD

What is your display size?

108" on a stewart display

What is the aspect ratio of your display?

16:9 for sure, but i also heard 2:35:1 being discussed by our installers

What most closely matches your display resolution?

1080p (1920x1080p)

What is your sound system like?

true dolby digital 7.1 via optical through the asus p5w dh deluxe mobo

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)

yes

What is your system used for?

mostly video - computer as source

What do you enjoy more?

watching a movie on your own system

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?

dont know, but we did get the highest quality for the lowest prices that we could go

How much did you spend total?

$30001 to $50000

How is your placement?

Display / Speakers are in excellent positions + room treatment

What kind of room is it in?

It's in a dedicated room that I designed / built for HT

How did you pick out your components?

researched components extensively, asked salesguy (extremely knowledgable - knows that there is a difference between 1080i and 1080p, not your average salesman, etc)

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?

HELL yes

i can take pics later if you guys want.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

What is your display type?
Westinghouse LCD

What is your display size?
42 inch

What is the aspect ratio of your display?
16:9

What most closely matches your display resolution?
1080p

What is your sound system like?
Pioneer Elite 81 Receiver
2x B&W 602's (FR/FL)
1x B&W LCR60 (C)
4x B&W 600's (RR/RL/SR/SL)
1x B&W sub (forgot the model)
1x Wiimote speaker (when playing the Wii! so does that give me an 8.1 system?)

Bass shakers / some kind of tactile sound? (subwoofer doesn't count)
WTF?

What is your system used for?
Mostly video (DVD); also PC gaming. Minimal music.

What do you enjoy more?
Hate movie theatres. whiney kids, tall people in front, sticky floors. HT all the way!

What was your spending ratio like for video vs. sound?
Probably... 3:2 or 2:1

How much did you spend total?
About $6K...
$2200 for B&W 7.1 setup
$700 receiver
$350 DVD Player
$2000 TV
$800 various wires/cords/shelves/mounts/everything else

How is your placement?
Everything laid out very well and close to the ideal setup.

What kind of room is it in?
Living room with blackout blinds

How did you pick out your components?
After LOTS of research. Demo'ing not an option as so few quality pieces are available in Alaska. However, the receiver was purchased by accident and turned out to be exactly what I needed anyway.

Did you / are you getting your money's worth?
EFF YEAH!!!

[/quote]

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: funboy42
Here you go yoyo, a pic finnaly of my HT room. Got NFS on the big screen.
Lights are on above me and some sun is coming through the windows. I also got a ton of pics of The 5th, LOR, and some others if you want to see them. I am trying to upload them but as usual Image shack keep booting me off so its taking me for ever.

Projector:
Optoma H31 $599 NEW AR

Screen:
Elite 100" $59.99 from Tiger Direct

Sound:
Logitech Z5500 $250

Total:
$910

Enjoyment playing games and movies on it with my family:
PRICELESS

Ok, I think I have you conviced on Front Projection now.

Time to start saving up for a sound system :laugh:

Told you, I have owned it all as far as sound from high dollar componants and speakers to cheap ass in the box stuff. You have to hear the Z5500 in person and in your house to believe it. I am more then happy with the sound that comes from this and sounds a lot better then muilti thousand dollar sets I have put together in the past. For $250 I can see to upgrade for I would spend a ton more on seperate pieces and end up with the same sound quality.

I feel I am a audiophile, been into sound and getting the best I can for my money for over 20 years. Heard pretty much it all. Some point I may go to 7.1 but not in any big rush. Im quite happy, and honestly I think thats all that matter is if YOUR happy. No need to make others happy and buying what others say you have to, or to have just to show off. I have had a lot of people come over look at the sound system and then tell me they would never of believed what they are hearing was coming out of them if they just saw them and was told. And I will continue to push them as a great HT set till something comes along thats better IMO.

Now as far as the projector goes, you got me thinking on that and the fact I couldnt find anything I liked that gave me a big ass picture on the cheap without having to change a bulb. Im glad I took your advise, researched on it for 3 months, and took the plunge. Im am very happy with the projector and will never go back to big screen in a ugly ass box or little ass lcd (little for me now is 70 inces or less )