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New Home Theatre Help

post #1 of 11
2/11/12 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 
Alright I need a little guidance for our theatre were putting in.
The space is 17ft long by 10ft wide maybe about 9ft high.
We're going with a two tier set up and we have the chairs ready to go but we
Need some help with good products to maximize picture and sound quality.
Our builder was saying a 7 speaker set up with the speakers needing to be
Surface mounted. We need a good amp to power everything. And we were thinking of going with a flat screen wall mounted with a projection screen that can drop down for movies. What are everyones thoughts on the double tv set up? Worth it or not? I need some brands and products I should start looking at so we can get going on it but I don't know where to start. Checked out the bang and olufsen stuff but it maybe be a little out of budget. Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!
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post #2 of 11
2/11/12 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
To be more specific these are the things we need:

TV - about 48"
5.1 amp - multi zone speakers
iPod dock

Theater Room

Big flat panel TV
Screen and Projector - HD 1080 P
5-7.0 amp 
7 speakers with sub - surface mounted (Totem?)
Harmony Remote
Blue Ray
DVD
Cable Box
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post #3 of 11
2/11/12 at 3:29pm
Don't let the builder decide on what type of speakers and where to put them. Generally, builders know very little about home theater. By "surface mounted" do you mean in-wall speakers? I wouldn't use in-wall speakers if you don't have to(due to sound quality and lack of future versatility).

Is the theater rooom going to contain your only "TV" for TV viewing? Or will you have another room for TV viewing in another room? If you have a TV in another room, I wouldn't put one in the theater room also. Then you could use a fixed screen, wall mounted. 17 foot long is a little too short for 2 rows of seats. My room is also 17' long and the only way it would work is if you downsize the screen.

You need to give us some sort of budget for projector, receiver, speakers, etc.

Are you going to ceiling mount projector or use a rear shelf?
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post #4 of 11
2/11/12 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
The builder is actually my father in law and his company. The guy doing the theatre is an electronics specialist but said I need to choose what I want. Said the surface mount will be best for the space.
Size of tv isn't a problem to change. We have another tv right outside the theatre room.
Don't know where to start for a budget. Projector will be celing mounted.
Do you think 10-15 grand for all that will work? We can go a bit more of nessecary. Don't want to cut to many corners.
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post #5 of 11
2/11/12 at 11:18pm
Since you have another TV, I would not put one in the theater room. That will allow you to use a fixed screen, wall mounted. Again, I don't know what he means by "surface mounted" speakers, and why he's recommending them. Does he mean in-wall(recessed) or speakers mounted against the drywall? There are so many variables and personal tastes involved in these items. You really need to do a LOT of homework, especially for a projector and screen. Here's a rough idea.

1) Projector - can range from less than $1,000 for a 1080p on up to thousands. Do you want DLP, LCD or LCos?

2) Receiver - 7.1 channel, $300 and up

3) Speakers(5) and subwoofer - $600 and up. That room is too small for a 7.1 system

4) Blu-ray player - $100 and up

5) Harmony Remote - no idea

6) Screen - You can DIY one for about $50 or spend at least $1,000

So you can do a decent system for all above for well less than $5,000. BUT the total cost depends on how much you get nailed for labor.
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post #6 of 11
2/12/12 at 5:06am
You really need to determine a budget and I agree that at least for the front and center, avoid in wall. For music I much prefer full range stereo speakers then small speakers plus a sub for 2 channel music. Other that that, let's start with a budget and many members here will suggest specific components.

As for the screen type/ if the room has no windows then a projector is great, but also the 70" flat panel TV's have come down in price. Mitsubishi also has 82" and 92" DLP which can be a great value provided that style of TV fits your design
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post #7 of 11
2/12/12 at 4:12pm
Thread Starter 
Gonna need you guys to dummy is down for me a bit I'm a rookie at this stuff.
DLP LCos??

I think what he means is in wall for the speakers. This is a sound proofed room so something good for that. Let's go with a budget of 15k. What company's are putting out great speakers and which company for the projector?
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post #8 of 11
2/12/12 at 5:22pm
I would tell him that you DO NOT want in-wall speakers. And if he disagrees, tell him you are going to find someone else for the job. DLP and LCos are 2 different projector technologies. And you also have LCD. You need to view these 3 types and see which you prefer. There are too many nice speaker companies to list. You should post in that section. 2 great websites to learn about projectors are Projectorcentral.com and Projectorreviews.com. I assume $15,000 includes labor? We have no way to know what you'll be charged for labor though.

Projector - LCos - you have JVC(great projectors) and Sony.

LCD - Epson and Panasonic are very popular, quality units

DLP - I recommend Mitsubishi. Optoma is also very popular
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post #9 of 11
2/12/12 at 5:31pm
DLP is a type of television. Used to be popular, but now Mitsubishi is the only one still making then. DLP are rear projection, making a set that is about 16" deep. You can get an 82" DLP for less then a 70" flat panel.

$15k gives you a lot to work with as far as electronics go.


My 2¢ would go with a Rotel or Marantz processor and matching amp, or a Parasound 5250 (5 channelx250) and add a 2 channel amp is you need 7 channels.

I would select speakers before making the amp purchase as some speakers won't need as much power, others may work best with 2 channels.

There are a lot of great 1080p projectors and I have been impressed by the higher end Epson models, but I have never seem many others so check with those who are more familiar with a wide range of brands. Panasonic, Sony, Mitsubishi and many others are out there.

Lots of speakers out there as well. For music I prefer more laid back speakers, B&W, Vandersteen etc, but for movies, perhaps consider more dynamic brands, Martin Logan, M&K, Klipsh... Again, lots and lots of brands to choose from. Visit some real audio dealers, listen and pick what you like. My personal opinion is that free standing speakers are going to perform much better then in wall models. I personally prefer full range speakers with a large sub over smaller main speakers that send all of the low end to the sub(s)
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post #10 of 11
2/12/12 at 7:46pm
Thread Starter 
Okay I will check those out thanks!
Just clarified the the speaker aspect that we were debating about. Doesn't want to to In-wall speakers, just wanted to have something mounted to the wall and not free standing since it will end up taking up more room than we can afford.
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post #11 of 11
2/13/12 at 4:03am
For wall mounted, one brand I would have on my list would be M&K http://www.mksoundsystem.com/home-products/150-series/ See if you can find a dealer near you.
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