Three Proposals - Not sure which one to do (1 Viewer)

[buffalonewbie]

I was hoping for some advice on sifting through the offers that I have for my home theatre equipment install. My budget is between 12 and 15 K. I would like to put more emphasis on the video than the audio. I don't have the knowledge or the inkling to do the install myself so I'm stuck having somebody else do the work Could somebody review the offers and tell me which one to go with? I'd be willing to pay a consulting fee if need be.

Id appreciate any help you guys could provide.


Thanks Again.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

Michael-

Just post the details in this thread so members can weigh in. We could recommend equipment, but keep in mind that usually an installer is not selling equipment, but a system of componets that he/she knows well.

 

[buffalonewbie]

Theatre

Equipment Qty Retail Extension JVC DILA Front Projector 1080P 1 4,999.90 4,999.90 Lifetime Parts 5 Years (optional) 1 499.99 499.99 Lifetime Service 1 10.00 10.00 Peerless Ceiling Mount 1 279.90 279.90 Draper Silhouette Proj Screen 92" 16:9 1 2,199.90 2,199.90 Yamaha Digital Surround w/ HDMI V.S. 1 899.90 899.90 Lifetime Parts 5 Years (optional) 1 89.99 89.99 Lifetime Service 1 10.00 10.00 Sony Blu-Ray w/ Netflix 1 199.90 199.90 Klipsch In Wall Loudspeakers L/C/R 3 299.90 899.70 Klipsch In Ceiling Loudspeakers 2 299.90 599.80 Klipsch Powered Subwoofer 10" 1 499.90 499.90 Monster HDMI Cable 10.2 GBPS 35' 1 299.90 299.90 Monster HDMI Cable 10.2 GBPS 2M 2 79.90 159.80 Monster Clean Power Surge Protection 1 199.90 199.90 Universal Remote Control RF 1 399.90 399.90 Universal Remote Control RF Base 1 199.90 199.90 Middle Atlantic Rack System 1 1,199.90 1,199.90 Area total 13,648.18


Option # 2



THEATER SYSTEM

DALITE 95578 100 INCH DIAGONAL HIGH CONTRAST SCREEN 1 659.00 659.00T

EP 9500 EPSON 1080P 3 CHIP LCD PROJO 1 3,500.00 3,500.00T

RX V667 YAMAHA AV SURROUND RECEIVER 1 550.00 550.00T

B&W 683 B & W Front SPEAKER 2 750.00 1,500.00T

B&W HTM 61 B & W CENTER CHANNEL 3 WAY SPEAKER 650.00T

CWM6160 B&W REAR IN WALL 6.5" 2 WAY SPEAKER PAIR 1 350.00

CWM6160 B&W REAR IN WALL 6.5" 2 WAY SPEAKER PAIR 1 350.00

ASW C10 B&W 10 INCH 200 WATT SUB WOOFER 1 650.00 650.00T

MX-880 PROGRAMMABLE REMOTE CONTROL WITH COLOR SCREEN 399.00 399.00T

MRF-350 RF RECEIVER W/MULTI PORT IR TRANSMITTERS 1 190.00 190.00T

BRK 100 MIDDLE ATLANTIC RACK FOR COMPONENTS 1 189.00 189.00T

RS CUSTOM RACK SHELF 3 * 110.00 330.00T

HDMI CABLE 9 METER HDMI CABLE 250.00T

Lot ALL MATERIALS TO INSTALL 489.00T

Labor 2 TWO MAN RATE TO INSTALL1,200.00T


Total 11256

Tax 984.90

Total With Tax 12240.90





# 3


SCREEN INNOVATIONS 96" SCR F (TRF96EBONY M)

96" fixed 16:9 screen (0.8 gain / black diamond hd) $2,898.98



Universal projector mount

1 CHIEF MOUNTS PROJO MOUNT ONLY (RPMAU) $290.00

JVC PROJECTOR (DLAHD350) $4,499.98

PIONEER ELITE RCVR 7.1 (VSX-21TXH) $699.98

SPEAKERCRAFT IC 2PB (CRS6ONE) $358.98



DEFINITIVE TECH CTR (PROCENT1000BLA) $219.98

DEFINITIVE TECH FSP 1PB (BP7006BLA) $1,299.96

Labor Total: $1,099.99

Theater Room Total: $12,431.74




Equipment: $11,331.75

Labor: $1,099.99

Taxes: $1,087.78

Grand Total: $13,519.52



NOTES:

1) I need to get in wall rears because the space is too limited to do floor standing speakers for the rears.


2) I would prefer focusing my money on video rather than audio.


3) There are some things that I pulled out (miscellaneous items, cabling etc) that I will probably just buy and save a bunch of money over the monster cable everybody tries to sell you.


4) I appreciate any input you guys provide

 

[Adam Gregorich]

I'm not sure if you are going to like my evasive answer Michael. They all are specifying good gear, there are some big differences that don't make them a apples to apples comparison. Bid one uses all in-walls for everything, it looks like bid two doesn't. I don't like the fact that bid 3 mixes speaker brands. Bids one and three just JVC LCoS projectors and bid two uses a LCD projector. You need to go look and see which you prefer. Ask bidders one and three when they went with JVC over Epson, ask bidder number two why he went with Epson over JVC. I think bid number two has a better speaker package. Essentially the bids are pretty close in price, but a professional installation is about more than just the gear, its about the installer. I don't see anything about audio or video calibration of the system in any of the bids, which is a bit of a warning flag, but maybe you said you weren't interested. NOTE: I am assuming that you have three bids from three different companies, not three options from one company. Which one were you most comfortable with? Do any of them have any type of certifications (CEDIA, ISF, THX, HAA, etc)? Are they licensed? How long have they been in business? How may rooms like yours have they done? Can you look at some? What do their references say?


When it comes to buying the things like cable yourself I wouldn't. I'm not saying you agree to paying $300 for a Monster HDMI cable, but if there are ever any problems down the road, you don't want the installer saying "well you provided that". By all means point out alternatives. When it comes to HDMI and other cables I highly recommend Blue Jeans cable. Their absolute best HDMI cable is only $85 for a 30 foot one, but they have several models that are MUCH cheaper too ($20ish). Look at their site and make a parts list for your installer and tell him what you want. If he tells you to go ahead and pick them up, get it in writing that his warranty includes the entire system including components that you picked up.

 

[buffalonewbie]

Thanks a lot for your help, that's great information. Two questions, there's a huge price disparity at least on a percentage basis with the screems. One quotes 2200 for a screen with a 4500 dollar projector and another quotes 650 bucks for the screen for a 3500 dollar projector. would it be worth it to get the 4500 dollar projector and the cheap screen or would the 650 dollar screen not reveal the quality of the more expensive projector. I wouldn't mind paying an extra grand if you think it would be worth it. Secondly, can you make deals with these guys and get them to cut out some or all of the install cost if you're buying 13000 dollars of equipment from them?

 

[Adam Gregorich]

Originally Posted by buffalonewbie

Thanks a lot for your help, that's great information. Two questions, there's a huge price disparity at least on a percentage basis with the screems. One quotes 2200 for a screen with a 4500 dollar projector and another quotes 650 bucks for the screen for a 3500 dollar projector. would it be worth it to get the 4500 dollar projector and the cheap screen or would the 650 dollar screen not reveal the quality of the more expensive projector. I wouldn't mind paying an extra grand if you think it would be worth it. Secondly, can you make deals with these guys and get them to cut out some or all of the install cost if you're buying 13000 dollars of equipment from them?

Its hard to compare the screens based on just the model numbers you have given. Screens are like cars. Its not fair to compare a VW to a Rolls and it all depends what you are looking for. You stressed video quality in your first post so its possible one installer got you the best screen a vendor makes where another got you a great "bang for the buck" screen that is not as good as the $2200, but is a great value for what you are spending. Also there are some screens that pair really well with certain projectors and they may have specified based on that. I'm not sure if there are fixed screens, motorized drop down screens, 2.35:1 screens with masking, etc. Ask the various dealers why they picked what they picked over a cheaper screen from that company. If they give a good reason it might be worth it, if they can't see what they can do on a cheaper model. The key is not if I think its worth it, but if you think its worth it. Make the dealer convince you. Ask what the downside to a cheaper screen would be. Keep in mind that in "HomeTheater Land" there is the law of diminishing returns. You can get perfection but you will pay A LOT more than you will for near perfection.


As someone who has done sales and installations, there is not a lot of margins for dealers to work with. Usually 20-30% on the electronics, 30-45% on the speakers and 10-20% on everything else. Factor in all the costs of doing business and that doesn't go very far. The dealer needs to make some money and you need to get a fair price. Good installers need to make some money on the gear and the install for the job to be profitable and worth it. Keep in mind that you will most likely be counting on him to service anything that goes wrong. It never hurts to negotiate, but don't low ball the installer.