$10,000 budget for new home theater - Page 2

In my imaginary budget, I was maxed out at 7.1. Were it my money in that large a room, and I could add another $1000, I'd talk with SVS sales about whether to get a second sub versus a two more surrounds. I'd also start a thread in the Blu-ray forum about how people like 7.x and 9.x movies. My guess, I'd go with a second sub.

 

Or I'd spend that $1,000 on calibration services. Because a well adjusted 5.1 system is going to beat the stuffing out of an unconsidered 9.1 setup.

 

Finally: your uploaded image is teeny for me to see the details.:)

 

Dig, man, 10 grand is such a great budget.
A few ideas since I've had my HT in place for three years now. It took me about four months to buy my equipment since I had a limited budget with the wife and some hidden cash to spend. I saved about 2 grand just being patient and checking website several times a day. Bought the second I saw what I wanted on sale. Paid retail for my speakers, though
1. Professional wire outlay = well worth the $700 I spent to have all of my wires hidden behind the walls etc etc. I don't have the damn time or expertise to do this. It made a big difference in overall appearance. Three years later, though, I might have moved a couple of things in different places, for example my sub woofer cable (to amp) limits me to about 10 square feet. Take the time to know exactly where you want the equipment.
2. I never am able to turn mine up unless I am home alone. I bought way more than I need so I would have the goods in case I won the lottery and moved to a bigger space. My room is 25x32 in the finished basement, but I have knocked pictures off of the wall on the third floor of the house (Bruce Springsteen Live in NYC - during the band intro - Big Man key change). If you can't listen to it as loud as you want, there really is no reason to go WAY overboard on power and speakers/subs. You won't sell your house furnished so you will not recoup your money.
3. I bought a two year old Marantz AV SR 8002 on Amazon for $799 delivered (retail $2000). Just waited patiently, watch the boards and bought the minute it went on sale. Its 7.1 dual zone, all I need. I personally don't think pre/pro is worth it. Nice to have, but not an absolute. I've been jamming now for 35 years, never thought th epre/pro systems were that much better for me. The newer Marantz amps come with an IPOD dock. It is a must these days.
4. B and W speakers. My brother has some so I know what I wanted. I use some Bose 301s for the 7 channel, will replace those in the next couple of years. The B and Ws are big in front and the center channel is big too, so make sure you are OK with it. I would never use in wall speakers.
5. I have an SVS sub PB 12 Plus. Don't know why anyone would need two of them. Totally satisfied with the product. Watched the "B Stock" part of the website for three months before mine went on sale. Bought it the minute it hit = $699- retailed much higher. I could care less about the sctrach on the side of it. I don't think I would spend 5 grand on one of their systems unless they would give me 100% return including shipping.
6. I think your're right on with the projection TV. IF your are into 3-D tv, make sure your amp is too.
7. Same for power conditonier.
8. I found two pioneer 300 discs players via craig's list and hookled them up up slave/master to have remote access to 600 discs.
9. Professional calibration can be worth it if the person is a real pro.
I'd put my money into speakers, sub and center.
I've yet to have any reason to change anything.

It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking two up. ;)

 

 

I don't know how much a front projector and a screen costs, as you'd want for a basement. That might be much more than a 60" TV and take money from speaker excesses. :)

 

I was lucky in that my rear speakers were easily dropped through the floor (into basement) and back up in the rear. I didn't have to worry about in-wall wiring.