[JoeBryant]

Hi Folks,


First off, I realize there is no way to "really" answer this. #1, It's an emotionally charged issue for many. #2, There are way too many room variables to ever hit a moving target like this.


But I think framing the question this way is still something I bet a lot of newer folks planning to build can benefit from. So I'll ask...

Assuming you already have a finished room (normal drywall / carpet), how would you allocate the money for you dedicated Home Theater?


As I'm trying to figure out my budget, it's become obvious to me that there are lots of different opinions.


I see folks like CPanther95 who felt it was crucial to spend a significant portion on accoustics. I see othere (like CPanthers audio shop) that put more (all ) the money in electronics. Others say spend the money on the screen. Some feel speakers are where it's at.


I know it's rough, but what kind of ball park percentages make sense to you?


Much thanks for any input here.


J

 

[jasplat88]

I think you might get a better estimate if you can narrow down to a specific budget.....because if you are on a $10K budget....you might blow 50% of it on a projector & screen. If you are on a $15K budget (and you stick to the same projector and screen) you just lowered your percentage to 33% (for video).


I have seen this question asked in the "Amps, Receivers and Processors" forum. Since you are not including the building cost of the room in your question, it might be more appropiate there. Do a search in that forum and I bet you find some threads. Also, Home Theater Magazine had an article about this very topic about 4 months back. You might be able to find it in their archives. Good luck!


-Jason

 

[JoeBryant]

Quote:

Originally posted by jasplat88 I think you might get a better estimate if you can narrow down to a specific budget.....because if you are on a $10K budget....you might blow 50% of it on a projector & screen. If you are on a $15K budget (and you stick to the same projector and screen) you just lowered your percentage to 33% (for video). I have seen this question asked in the "Amps, Receivers and Processors" forum. Since you are not including the building cost of the room in your question, it might be more appropate there. Do a search in that forum and I bet you find some threads. Also, Home Theater Magazine had an article about this very topic about 4 months back. You might be able to find it in their archives. Good luck! -Jason

Thanks Jason,


You're exactly right, budget size would make a big difference. I guess let's say $10,000 budget to start with. And then if someone has thoughts on how it would differ with a $20,000 + budget, throw those too.


Thanks for the other thread suggestions, I'll check them out. I guess my big thing I'm trying to nail down (and why I posted here) is how I allocate money between accoustical treatment and electronics.


The biggest thing I've learned from lurking here is how important accoustical work is. That was something I honestly wasn't planning on in the budget. I'm about ready to start on construction of my room and if I hadn't have stopped in here to read last week, I would have gone full speed ahead pouring all my money into electronics and virtually nothing into treating the room accoustically. But reading all the posts has put a big "whoa" on that thinking and I'm trying to reassess.


Thanks for all the input.


J

 

[iqwertyi]

My breakdown is something like this:


Speakers (5.1) = 33%

Plasma (43") = 22"

Pre/Pro and Amp = 27%

DVD/DirecTivo/Remote/etc. = 5%

Furniture/Wall Mount = 7%

Accesories = 6%


I spent in the 20K range. It didn't feel that much since I bought it in pieces.

 

[kromkamp]

iqwertyi, you spent *nothing* on treating the room acoustically? Thats a mistake.

 

[bpape]

If you can do DIY, INTERNAL acoustics of the room can be done at a reasonable cost. Isolation is another matter.


If you want to treat the basics with a 10k budget overall (and DIY), you can probably get out for a few hundred $.


Other than that, it also really depends on your usage of the room. Is it dedicated for HT or will it be a shared space for HT and music? That can tip the balance one way or another. What are you more critical of? I think to most people without real big budgets, you'll get more bang for the buck in the overall experience if you put some extra in the video area. You can get smaller speakers for the 5 and get a better sub for the .1 to cross them over to to make up the $ difference without suffering a lot.


Also, if there is a possibility to do less now(homemade screen for example) and then upgrade later, that can also shift priorities. If you can live with 8 remotes instead of getting a nice programmable touchscreen for now, more money saved for the basics.


Most people that I've dealt with having your budget end up with about 45-50% video, 35-40% audio, 10-15% other (acoustics, cabling, remotes, etc.) Without getting nuts over either, the bigger bucks tend to get eaten up by a PJ and screen. That's EASILY 1/3 of the budget right there, not to mention anything like DVD, HTPC, Scaler, HD Tuner, Antenna, Satellite, etc. That's also not considering non-trivial expenses like seating...

 

[jamin]

Since a huge portion of what you hear in an untreated room is from the room, and since equipment is fairly easily changed out I would front load the budget with acoustics. As bpape said, DIY can go a long way to stretching a budget. In the end, even with budget electronics and speakers you can have a better sounding system and one that will accept the inevitable upgrades with ease.

 

[iqwertyi]

currently all that equipment is in my bedroom. I will be moving it over to a dedicated room which will have acoustic treatment.


Reading a lot about OC 703 and the best way to place them. The new room will not be completed for about another month or so.

 

[CPanther95]

Along the lines of what jamin said - the amount of time you're going to spend with the theater is probably the most important determinant. If you don't plan on moving for 15 years. You'll benefit from the acoustics and aesthetics for that whole time while the equipment will likely have all been replaced (at least once ) I'd rather go upper-mid range equipment rather than lower high-end to improve the room itself (especially since lower high-end equipment will be mid-range in 2 or 3 years)


On the other hand, your personal tastes and desires will probably dictate a minimum that will need to be spend on equipment to make it worth while for you. I wanted HDTV, scaling of DVD and HDTV movies, 2.35 screen with anamorphic lens, great sound and Berkline 090's for seating - minimum. Say roughly 20k. If my budget were only 25k, I'd have still spent 20k on equipment. I wanted a theater to accomplish what I listed above, and if it couldn't - I wouldn't have built it.


I'd set the minimum required for:

• Equipment
• Acoustics (sound quality, not necessarily sound isolation)

and set that as my baseline budget before starting anything. What's left in your budget, I'd allocate in the following order:

• Professional Design
• Maximize acoustics and sound isolation
• Aesthetics
• Maximize A/V equipment

Obviously, something like aesthetics may move up the list because of external factors (cough..ahem..wife) and without compliance the whole project is a non-starter. But the point is that the order is determined by the ability to address some of the issues down the road.


This is all assuming a 100% dedicated home theater.