Thinking to setup home theater in media room (3.6x3.9m). Its not that big room, so need to see how we can achieve some good result without spending too much $$$.
We will likely add a big 75 or may be 85“ TV instead of projector/ screen.
Will add some speakers etc for that sound system. Hoping it will work out much cheaper too to have TV instead of projector/screen setup.
Not sure what to do with the walls…should we color them dark? or curtain or? what kinda TV/speaker?
I am thinking about max budget of $6-7k (excluding seatings)
Thanks in advanced. Any guidance will be great.
Setup home theater
[Deactivated] on 06/10/2021 - 12:03
Comments
Is there too much lighting in your room? If so go for a TV otherwise go for a projector.
I have the BenQ W2700 4K pseudo projector and it is fantastic ~ 110" just on a wall (Dulux Natural White)
The latest projectors are quite bright so you wont need for the room to be extremely dark. Plus you don't even need to spend money on a screen (save around $700+)
In regards to you HT setup. I would buy second hand speakers (or even complete HT setup) off Gumtree.
Notable speakers that are good value for money:
- Klipsch.
- Polk
- Paradigm
HT receivers:
I would opt for a latest 4K HDR 7.2 Channel
Notable receivers:
- Denon
- Yamaha
- Onkyo/Pioneer
^THIS
Tv price to inch ratio is extremely worthwhile these days get a 75 inch U/QLED for bang for buck or OLED if you want to light money on fire but have the best viewing experience around, there's a reason projectors are a dying breed.
As for sound.
The brands named are great, otherwise B&W is another good alternative (all can be had for a fraction of RRP off marketplace/gumtree due to the uptake of soundbars). Pair with a Denon/Yamaha/Onkyo/Pioneer receiver with Atmos decoding for those eargasms.I have both 4K projector and a 4K OLED TV. When I want to relax in a smaller room, I love the OLED due to its fantastic image and smaller screen. I want to get that big visual HT experience and also play my Xbox on a 110" 4K screen, I love the projector.
I have the best of both worlds and love both.
For $2300, I purchased the BenQ W2700 that has 4K HDR 60Hz output and decent FPS when I race with my Xbox. For that price, no TV will come close (even OLED) 110" viewing is of another levelB&W is another awesome choice too but they are harder to find second hand going by my experience
there's a reason projectors are a dying breed.
120" OLED TV would be great!
Was going to say, go see the guys at Len Wallis, however, for $7k, not much going to get from there.
Firstly, I'd consider the screen to be 75" min would be good - Hisense or the likes for the money will sort you out. 4k res etc.You can look for some good quality 2nd hand speaks online, or ex demo.
Note - sounds if personal, like partners, food etc. They all sound different, so make sure you let your ears decide and not your wallet.
A few awesome Aussie brands out there too. Richter, Krix, and and and… Great bang for buck!As for a receiver - I'm a big fan of Yamaha and have been for years and years. Onkyo, Dennon, and the likes are all great quality as well.
I've done plenty of installs, and system designs over the years, however, the biggest piece of advice I can give is as I've said above… LET YOU EARS DECIDE!
for $7k, not much going to get from there.
It's doable but with a mix of second hand.
I bought a Klispch 3.1 (RF7's classic, RC-7 and a Klipsch RW12) for $1100 of FB marketplace second hand.
If anyone is aware of these speakers, I have got the deal of the year.
I guess you have to act quick and know exactly what you are looking forThat's incredible value for money
God bless gumtree and marketplaceHahaha! Yes bless them both!… when the sale goes right!!! lol .
"for $7k…."
Was referring to Len Wallis.
But as I've gone on to say further, 2nd hand gear (good quality gear) might be the way to go.
Some of the dealers such as Len and others have good stuff come in from time to time.
Klispch is a good, large production brand. I personally am not a major supporter, just doesn't suit my ear, however, reasonable.
Ok I see. I'm from Vic hence don't know of this dealer. IMO every HiFi/AV specialist around the country; you would struggle to buy a system for under $7K due to selling more enthusiasts kits.
Agree with Klipsch as they can be a little harsh due to the horn tweeter. But can handle heaps of power. IMO they are designed to be pounded and work better with a grunty amp regardless of the sensitivity rating.
The clearest budget speaker I have heard so far was the Paradigm Monitor 11 v7. I scored this from a HT system sale off FB and sold them in a heartbeat for a $1K. However, they worked well at moderate volumes and couldn't take heaps of grunt. Excellent value for money speaker@vinni9284: Klipsch - yes, they can be a little aggressive. They do hold up ok with mid to larger volumes, but I don't personally feel they are all that refined.
For a good band for buck speaking, as mentioned above, I'm a big fan of Aussie builders. Often using mid to high-end drivers from EU driver manfs and local or in house XC's.
Older Richters, Some Krix (however, often a little dull or lacking in higher-end treble), Accusound however not quite as refined, and the list goes on…
$7k isn't a huge budget, unfortunately. In your shoes with $7k what I'd do is:
$3k - 65" LG C1 (maybe Black Friday)
$1k - SVS PB-1000 Pro Subwoofer (or if you can get a used model, maybe a 2000 series for not much more, or a 1000 non-Pro for considerably less)
$1k - Yamaha RX-V6A (you can probably pay less than this with the right sale) or Denon 1600H
$800 - Paradigm Atom SE Bookshelf speaker * 4 (L/R/SR/SL) (you will need to negotiate to get this price but there's plenty of dealer margin in Paradigm)
$350 - Paradigm 2000C Centre speaker (again, negotiate - plenty of dealer margin)
$300 - Polk OWM3 *2 for Atmos, mount these on ceiling
$200 - Speaker stands for your Bookshelves - these don't need to be fancy, Selby sell good cheap ones
$150 - MediaLight Bias LightComes in slightly under budget. You could swap out the 65" OLED for a 75" LED, it depends if you value IQ or screen size more. Don't buy a rubbish sub packaged in with speakers, these usually suck. Australia doesn't have the wealth of choices of dedicated subwoofer companies that USA does, but SVS does just fine and is widely available here. Don't skimp on the sub, it's a huge part of the HT experience, and a PB-1000 Pro will be fine for a 3.6 x 3.9 room unless it has stupidly high ceilings or something. Dealers may try and steer you away from SVS (they have done to me in the past) - this is because dealer margin in AU on SVS subs is low, so they will try and switch you into more profitable brands. Don't fall for it! I've gone into a store specifically to buy a specific SVS sub and they've tried to sell me something else, very annoying. The Paradigm speakers are excellent entry level equipment and easy to drive. The AVRs listed here only do 7.2 channels meaning you can choose 7.2 or 5.2.2 only, so you only need 2 Atmos speakers rather than four.
Buying used will save you good money on audio gear if you can find something that suits in your local area.
Personally, I wouldn't bother painting your walls/ceiling black if you go with a TV. It may be important if you go with a PJ. In fact, I'd recommend using a 6500K bias light with a TV, with a white wall behind the TV. A bias light will both help improve your perception of contrast as well as reduce eye strain when viewing in the dark. I've put a TV suggestion here because you say you're leaning towards a TV, I don't own a PJ so can't offer much advice there. Certainly the screen size per dollar equation is favourable with a PJ, but there are other downsides and your room has to suit it too.
Finally, audition the gear if you can, make sure you like the sound, although hearing it in a dealer's store is never going to be a perfect replication of how it sounds in your own room, it is better than nothing.
Some great tips here however if I may add my opinion, I would prefer the Denon 1700H due to its HDMI 2.1 future-proofing and get Paradigm floor standers rather than bookshelves. However this might blow the OP's budget.
If that is the case, I would even search for an older 4K HDR receiver that are two steps above the Denon 1x00H; possibly 3xxx second hand as IMO, many of the entry level receivers are gutless. It wont match to the bass off the SVS if you decide to crank it up.I didn't actually know the 1700H was even on sale yet. If it is, that may well be worth considering - price depending. The Yahama I mentioned does also support HDMI 2.1 though (but unsure if they have patched in all the functionality yet?)
Re: floorstanders, these would be my preference too, I suggested bookshelves simply to manage cost. If OP can afford them it may be worth the trade up (here's where an audition will help.) That said, he's got a small room and unless he wants to listen at very loud levels, bookshelves will likely be perfectly adequate IMO. At the end of the day with a $7k budget to start from scratch it doesn't leave much to work with when you have to fund a TV or PJ in that. Used is great but you're reliant on something suitable being available in your area at the time you want it otherwise it doesn't help much (unless you can be patient.)
FWIW, I run a 1600H and it drives KEF Q950 floorstanders, Q650C and the aforementioned Paradigm Atom bookshelf speakers as surrounds and does just fine. But, the key point here is I don't tend to listen at super loud levels, typically no louder than -15db. It does just fine in these circumstances for me, with the bass handled by a PB-2000 Pro in a larger room than OP has (but MLP is about 2.2m from the front speakers so pretty close.) An upgrade to a 3700H is on my radar, but not for more power - mainly to move to .4 height channels and for HDMI 2.1.
If he can get a good deal on a 2nd hand 3x00 or similar that could be a good option.
There is a bit of gear here - https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/marks-point/speakers/richter…
Not sure if this would be of interest.
Also - here is something worth looking at: https://lenwallisaudio.com/category/secondhand-hifi-av-equip…
Here is ours from about 4 years ago - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/337261
It was great for movies with a 1080p projector, 120" screen and 5.1 speakers from Yamaha receiver. We've sold the house now but I'm thinking about the next media room - perhaps UST laser projector and Atmos sound with in wall speakers.
Screen wise, it really depends on your preferences - bigger screen or better picture quality. Decent vid on TVs vs projectors here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8G5hWHCtjQ