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Looking to build a new home theatre

S

SLCentral

Diamond Member
I've got a room in my basement 15 feet long, and 10 feet wide, and I'd like to convert it into a full-fledged home theater. But, I'm pretty much clueless on this, so I'm looking for advice about every aspect of the process.

Right now, I'm looking at the Panasonic AE900U projector, as it's gotten some great reviews. It's around $2000, but I've found it for ~$1800.
I've also got the "Orion 3" seats in mind (http://seatsandchairs.com/products_deta...oductID=67&pagesize=200&currentpage=1), which are $1500, but I'm looking for other suggestions.
I have a Logitech Harmony 880 right now, and I'm very happy with it, so I was thinking about grabbing the 890 (so I don't need line-of-sight) to control the setup.

As for audio, or the projection screen, I have NO idea. I don't want to spend too much, but I don't want to buy anything crappy. I def. want at least 5.1. I have a 2.0 setup upstairs for my music listening, but for this, it's all about movies, so at least 5.1 is necessary.

I don't even know how big the screen should be. The room is 15x10x10, so if someone could help me out, that would be great. Would I mount the projector on the ceiling?

Most importantly, this needs to be a CLEAN setup. I don't want wires hanging around, etc. Is this soemthing that I could feasibly do myself with a few friends? I've installed regular home theatres before, but I've never mounted a projector, etc.

I appreciate any advice, so let me know.

My total budget, I suppose, is around $7K, but I'd really like to spend somewhere between $5K and $7K.
 
So total budget is for everything?

All audio equipment, all video equipment, and every accessory (remotes, wire, chairs, sound treatments)?
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
So total budget is for everything?

All audio equipment, all video equipment, and every accessory (remotes, wire, chairs, sound treatments)?
Click to expand...

Yes. Is $7K not enough?
 
Well I'd like to have info like Excelsior as to whether or not the budget is for everything or just the audio stuff. I guess I can recommend a few things for starters:

Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-635 or Denon AVR-3806
Speakers: Hard to say without seeing the acoustical properties of your basement which would be best. Brand name wise I would recommend Nohr, Paradigm, Infinity, Wilson Audio or Anthem.
Subwoofer: Same brands as above sited for speakers with the addition of SVS.

That'll have to do for specific recommendations until we firm up on the budget.
 
Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well I'd like to have info like Excelsior as to whether or not the budget is for everything or just the audio stuff. I guess I can recommend a few things for starters:

Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-635 or Denon AVR-3806
Speakers: Hard to say without seeing the acoustical properties of your basement which would be best. Brand name wise I would recommend Nohr, Paradigm, Infinity, Wilson Audio or Anthem.
Subwoofer: Same brands as above sited for speakers with the addition of SVS.

That'll have to do for specific recommendations until we firm up on the budget.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the budget is around $7K for everthing. The room isn't that big, so I don't need very POWERFUL sound, just high quality. To show the "acoustical qualities" of my basement, would pictures help?
 
you should spend a portion of that budget on room treatment. good speakers will be if you have poor room acoustics.

you should also visit avsforums.com. people their specialize in HT.
 
Originally posted by: SLCentral
Originally posted by: Excelsior
So total budget is for everything?

All audio equipment, all video equipment, and every accessory (remotes, wire, chairs, sound treatments)?
Click to expand...

Yes. Is $7K not enough?
Click to expand...

It is , I was just making sure what you meant by total. It helps to know how much you have to spend on everything, you know?

 
Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well I'd like to have info like Excelsior as to whether or not the budget is for everything or just the audio stuff. I guess I can recommend a few things for starters:

Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-635 or Denon AVR-3806
Speakers: Hard to say without seeing the acoustical properties of your basement which would be best. Brand name wise I would recommend Nohr, Paradigm, Infinity, Wilson Audio or Anthem.
Subwoofer: Same brands as above sited for speakers with the addition of SVS.

That'll have to do for specific recommendations until we firm up on the budget.
Click to expand...

I try to stay out of HT threads, but don't talk out of your ass...Wilson Audio? With that budget? And Anthem speakers? Wrong category. Stop naming names just to sound like you're being helpful.

I wouldn't even bother with the specifics until more is known about your tastes and whatnot...some people here can offer good advice, but AVS definitely will be more helpful. and confusing 😉
 
For good acoustic treatment on the cheap, get pink.

... no, not pussy, fiberglass!

Frame it, cover it with frabric, and in particular place diagonally across corners.
 
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well I'd like to have info like Excelsior as to whether or not the budget is for everything or just the audio stuff. I guess I can recommend a few things for starters:

Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-635 or Denon AVR-3806
Speakers: Hard to say without seeing the acoustical properties of your basement which would be best. Brand name wise I would recommend Nohr, Paradigm, Infinity, Wilson Audio or Anthem.
Subwoofer: Same brands as above sited for speakers with the addition of SVS.

That'll have to do for specific recommendations until we firm up on the budget.
Click to expand...

I try to stay out of HT threads, but don't talk out of your ass...Wilson Audio? With that budget? And Anthem speakers? Wrong category. Stop naming names just to sound like you're being helpful.

I wouldn't even bother with the specifics until more is known about your tastes and whatnot...some people here can offer good advice, but AVS definitely will be more helpful. and confusing 😉
Click to expand...

I was thinking at posting over at AVS, but it's just so damn confusing there 😛. So I decided to go with ATOT first.

Movies are mainly dramas, the occasional action movie. Xbox 360 will be played, and not much music will be played, as we have the upstairs TV/HTPC/Stereo for that. This is all movies and games.
 
hmmm, don't skimp on the subwoofer. 😉 i own a SVS pb10isd and i love it.

svs subs are arguably the most bang for buck subs.

SVS Subs

check out SVS' demo theater. their room looks awesome.

Text
 
i think for an amateur, you don't need to splurge all your money at once. start small, then as your needs increases, upgrade your components one by one. also, be sure to listen for the speakers for yourself before buying them. many of the online speakers allow a 30 day grace period for you to test.
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
i think for an amateur, you don't need to splurge all your money at once. start small, then as your needs increases, upgrade your components one by one.
Click to expand...
Half-ass idea. Buy once and buy right.
 
Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Originally posted by: InlineFour
i think for an amateur, you don't need to splurge all your money at once. start small, then as your needs increases, upgrade your components one by one.
Click to expand...
Half-ass idea. Buy once and buy right.
Click to expand...

half-true. don't think he can differentiate between a $2k audio equipment from a $4k. although, once his virgin ears takes a beating, he'll be wanting more. 😉
 
I've got A LOT of high end audio stuff i'm trying to get rid of, full jbl synthesis setup, hdtv switches, just about anything you could want. have a lot of high end wiring in bulk too if you need some....pm me if interested and let me know what you need.

edit: and if you have any questions about the HT installation, feel free to ask, used to install $50k home theaters on a daily basis.
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Originally posted by: InlineFour
i think for an amateur, you don't need to splurge all your money at once. start small, then as your needs increases, upgrade your components one by one.
Click to expand...
Half-ass idea. Buy once and buy right.
Click to expand...

half-true. don't think he can differentiate between a $2k audio equipment from a $4k. although, once his virgin ears takes a beating, he'll be wanting more. 😉
Click to expand...
If that's the case, why buy the $2k system and the $4k system when you can just buy the $4k system?
 
So, does anyone have any suggestions for actual components? Specifically, audio, and the actual screen? What about insulation? Is it hard to implement in an already-finished room?
 
SLC, get me some pics of the room and explain what is around it. If the walls of the room are outside walls that can be a pain in the ass, what floor is it on? give me as much info as you can about it and i'll give you some suggestions.
 
Originally posted by: SLCentral
So, does anyone have any suggestions for actual components? Specifically, audio, and the actual screen? What about insulation? Is it hard to implement in an already-finished room?
Click to expand...

everyone's taste will differ. i suggest you go to a local highend audio store and demo their equipment. so what's your speaker budget?

oh yeah, and don't let those reps lure you into buying those uber good monster cables.
 
Originally posted by: Bolvangar
SLC, get me some pics of the room and explain what is around it. If the walls of the room are outside walls that can be a pain in the ass, what floor is it on? give me as much info as you can about it and i'll give you some suggestions.
Click to expand...

Will try to get pics later, can't right now.

The room is in the basement. On the back wall (15' away from where the screen will be), I have a laundry room, which is NOT fully finished. On the right of the room, is a hallway, that leads to other rooms on the other side of the hallway.

On the side where the screen is, as well as the left side of the room, is either just dirt/ground, or the nieghbors basement. I couldn't tell you which one it is. Directly above the room is the upstairs family room, which we're pretty much never in.

What else do you need to know?
 
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