Colin Dunn
Supporting Actor
I didn't even have home theater when I was 20 and in college. Just a used hi-fi VCR and a 19" direct-view TV, with sound run through an entry-level 2-channel stereo system. I'm continually amazed when I read posts here from college students who manage to put together a 6.1 DTS-ES system with FPTV on a student's budget.
I'd rather go for the best HT equipment I could afford rather than worry about details like in-wall wiring. When the lights are off and the movie is on, the wiring is the last thing on my mind.
Another way to get good home theater cheaper: Be on the lookout for used equipment when you're upgrading. You can buy many HT/stereo components for about 1/2 of their list price if you buy them used. Some things (like power amps) are particularly good to buy used, as there have been no technological breakthroughs in amps in quite a while. Other things (like DVD players) should probably be bought new because each generation comes with substantial improvements.
I'd rather go for the best HT equipment I could afford rather than worry about details like in-wall wiring. When the lights are off and the movie is on, the wiring is the last thing on my mind.
Another way to get good home theater cheaper: Be on the lookout for used equipment when you're upgrading. You can buy many HT/stereo components for about 1/2 of their list price if you buy them used. Some things (like power amps) are particularly good to buy used, as there have been no technological breakthroughs in amps in quite a while. Other things (like DVD players) should probably be bought new because each generation comes with substantial improvements.
I haven't been on a date in over a year and you know what that means. 
Heck yeah, I'm bitter! Oh yeah, the no-HT thing irritates me too. Fortunately, many of the movies I watch don't require a fancy setup. Let's hear it for old movies!
