Home Theatre cost ratio

[jdc115]

I am just curious having looked through some of the pictures of user's HT system who they allocated costs and why.

Some people I see have great TV's but not much in the way of speakers and sound systems and at least the guy with the Martin Logans had a wonderful sound system (as well as a great system overall).

In to the following category, how and why did people to choose how they spent? Of course I might also leave out things like HD Satalite receiver or media servers if you like to add them

TV
Speakers (5.1 or 7.1)
Receiver (or amp+processor)
Blu-ray player
DVD player
cables:
For me:


TV : 18%
Speakers (5.1): 55%
amp+processor: 20%
Blu-ray player: 0% (to be added after I move in November)
DVD player: 3%
cables: 4%

Also, my speakers will probably increase in proportion after I move as well as I still using 2 older surround speakers that are not a match to my front 3. But I was also into 2 channel Audio far earlier then HT so it took a much higher part of my budget.

[MouseRider]

I have a dedicated home theater.

I spent the most money on my room treatments, speakers and amps, followed by my processor, only because it was upgradable and had unique characteristics.

Screen was a reasonable expense.

Everything else, I consider a moving target, which means I don't necessarily spend a lot (of course this is relative) on because technology will constantly improve and I will upgrade as appropriate. Items under this category include my projector, DVD player, BD player, HD/Sat tuner, remote and video processor.

The only exception to the above rule is if the piece of equipment has been deprecated, in which case, I will typically have a top-end player to play my archive of titles. An example of this would be my laserdisc player.

[MrG274]

I have my set-up in my main living room at first and now since some unfortunate events ( house burning down ) I have since moved everything into my bed room in my parents house. The room is set up perfect for what I have. I would like to think that the cost ratio of my equipmnt is spread pretty evenly.

HD1000U: 800
Klipsh Surrounds: 300
Energy center & floor speakers connesour series: 600
PSB 12" sub: Gift from girlfriend
Onkyo 5.1 tx-sr600: 300
HTPC self built: 700
PS3: 350
Misc cables: 200

The thing about my set up is that I bought it piece by piece even the speakers. I did this because I wanted decent quality equipment no matter waht so I took m time buying it. I think peoples ratio differs because they buy everything relatively close and on a budget and they figure what is the most important thing that falls in that budget. To me the entire package; sound and picture is what makes the experience. So nothing really favors heavy in my ratio of equipment.

Cheers Joe

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Well, I have no idea what my budgeting is going to be like, but I plan on dropping at least $7,000 when I move to Vancouver in November. All I know for sure right now is that my TV is going to cost $3000-$3200. The remainder is being alotted for a wicked 7.1 sound system with 1080p throughput video processing abilities. On top of that I'll have PS3, Xbox360, 2 laptops (with internet - modem/router), & HD DVD player (won it in a raffle - thank god I didn't pay for that hunk of crap... it allows me to watch DVDs while PS3 folds@home!!!).

[gvortex7]

Here's my setup:

Mitsubishi HC3000 projector - Retail price was $2500/actual price paid $1650
Panoview GrayWolf II screen - Retail price was $370/actual price paid $130
Philips BDP9000 Blu-ray player - Retail price was $650/actual price paid $200
Pioneer VSX-1016TX receiver - Retail price was $500/actual price paid $300
Klipsch Quintet 5.1 system - Retail price was $400/actual price paid $225
Sony subwoofer SA-WM500 - Retail price was $200/ actual price paid $100
2 Acoustic Research 12' hdmi cables - Retail price $100(each)/actual price paid $33 per cable (over a year ago)
1 Monorail 2in1 hdmi switch - Retail price was $35/ actual price paid $15

The "retail price was" means the actual retail price of the particular component at the time I bought it. Discounted prices reflect online purchases and B&M purchases with employee discounts.

[T-Town Oil]

panasonic 50" plasma- 3200
infinity speakers- 2 towers, center, 2 surround-2000
outlaw audio sub- 650
sony receiver- 800
ps3- 600
cables- about 250
the tv is fixin to get a 58" upgrade

[jorg]

2 top of line martin logan
1 208 prototype nad amp
1 nad 5 disc cd changer 515
a&b cambrige pre amp
a bunch of old school sound prosesors/decorders
42" toshiba crt cinama series

all for only 15 grand haha

3 grand for 14 in wall speakers

lol please keep in mind my dad got all of this in the early 90s when it was all "cutting" edge lmao and back then bussness was good lol

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by jorg

2 top of line martin logan
1 208 prototype nad amp
1 nad 5 disc cd changer 515
a&b cambrige pre amp
a bunch of old school sound prosesors
42" toshiba crt cinama series

all for only 15 grand haha

3 grand for 14 in wall speakers

Even if I had 15 grand to spend on a complete home theater system, I wouldn't. I think that's insane.

[MouseRider]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Even if I had 15 grand to spend on a complete home theater system, I wouldn't. I think that's insane.

Then I must be beyond insane, maybe that's why I have padded walls in my theater!

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by MouseRider

Then I must be beyond insane, maybe that's why I have padded walls in my theater!

Well, I guess money grows on trees where you're from.

[matthewrounds]

Ok, I am going to have two sections to this thread because I have my present setup and the setup I want to get to eventually.

Present (Sort of, as I am transitioning, notice the Sceptre TV in my signature)

TV: Sony KDL-40XBR1 ($3500)
Sound: Sony HTS ($180)
BD Player: Sony PS3 ($600)

Future (Are we ever really satisfied?)

TV: Sony KDL -52XBR4 ($4500)
Sound: Sony Receiver STR-DA5300ES ($1700) I think this is the one that was recently reviewed by CNET
Speakers: ??? I don't have much speaker knowledge
BD Player: Denon DVD-3800BDCI ($2000)

Really Far in the Future

A home theater room with a 1080p projector! I want to measure my screen in feet and not inches.

Looking at the numbers I am likely in the next 2 years to spend about 50% of my HT costs on a TV, about 30% on sound, and 20% on a player. The last item I will upgrade is the BD player as the PS3 is too good to replace, plus I love gaming.

[MouseRider]

In the world of high-end home theaters, 15 grand just buys you a processor. (sounds like something from the trailer of Balls of Fury)

Well, it's all relative, it's like some people drive a Toyota Yaris and others drive a Lexus LS460, both will get you from point A to point B.

I'm involved in the movie business so it's almost a business expense but it's also a dream of mine since childhood to have my own theater, so some people spend their money on wheels, some on bling bling, for me, I love my movies.

I wouldn't drop 10 grand on a Rolex but that's just my style, doesn't matter if money grows on trees.

Back to the topic though, the beauty of it is regardless of the amount of money you spend, there are decent ratios to adopt that make sense at any price point and IMO, spend the most on items which will change (evolve, upgrade, etc) the least.

And don't forget to toss a decent percentage towards a good power conditioner and protector to safe guard your investment!

There's this fellow I know had about $5k go up in smoke after a thunderstorm.

[MouseRider]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

I guess not to you, but to most others it does. Some people unfortunately work for a living. I don't spend much time on cloud 9 wondering what if I had this or that. I'm a realist, and I try to attain realistic goals.

Well, maybe you should set your goals a little higher, you might just achieve and exceed them, you may find that they may not be that unrealistic after all.

I'm not a trust-fund baby by a long shot, my first theater was 5 car speakers I got from a friend, the cheapest Pioneer receiver, a used laserdisc player and a 32" TV I saved for 18 months to get.

Couldn't afford laserdiscs so I got together with a few friends, learnt our stuff and started a business selling them to home theater stores in my city and bartered and traded for equipment.

You really shouldn't assume that people are either loose with their money or crazy just because they spend more than you would on something. I'm sure many on his forum work hard for their money, whether they own a $250 HTIB or a custom theater.

Not all dreams are unattainable.

[T-Town Oil]

^^^thats awesome about car speakers in your house. im not ashamed to say i used house speakers for my car stereo but yeah, my advice is set your goals and dont finance anything you cant afford from the get go

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by MouseRider

Well, maybe you should set your goals a little higher, you might just achieve and exceed them, you may find that they may not be that unrealistic after all.

I'm not a trust-fund baby by a long shot, my first theater was 5 car speakers I got from a friend, the cheapest Pioneer receiver, a used laserdisc player and a 32" TV I saved for 18 months to get.

Couldn't afford laserdiscs so I got together with a few friends, learnt our stuff and started a business selling them to home theater stores in my city and bartered and traded for equipment.

You really shouldn't assume that people are either loose with their money or crazy just because they spend more than you would on something. I'm sure many on his forum work hard for their money, whether they own a $250 HTIB or a custom theater.

Not all dreams are unattainable.

I don't know if you noticed or not, but I deleted my last comments, so ease up a bit. I don't want to get into a philosophical conversation here. You're right, to each there own.

[Dace]

I try not to think about just how much I have spent on my setup for 2 reasons:

1- I'd pull out my hair when I find out I have spent that much...and to think of all the other things I could have done with all that money

2- I'm very bad at budgeting...if I "want" something I get it no matter the cost, if I "need" something and it's too expensive I hold back. Thats my budget philosophy

As for my setup, I have purchased it piece by piece and I still am.

Here it is:
Sony VPLAW15 projector: 1200$ (purchased from the US)
Athena Technologies LS-500B front speakers: 400$ (They were 1/2 off)
Carada brilliant white 80" screen: 650$
Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver: 1400$ (couldn't be bought from much cheaper US)
Samsung Blu-Ray BD-P1000: 500$ (refurbished from eBay, was 1200 at the time)
Videotron illico HTDV cable box: 300$ (so expensive but I wanted HDTV)
Misc. cables: about 200$
Monster HTS MK3600 power conditioner: 300$ (purchased MK3500 off eBay, Monster replaced with MK3600)
Logitech Harmony 550 remote: 100$ (on sale at Futureshop)

For a total of 5050$CDN, isnt that scary? I could've put new wood floors in my house or bought a used car. Oh well, I much rather have my home theater

Also, I still need to buy a center channel, subwoofer and rear speakers. Who knows if and when the purchasing will end. Maybe when I am finished I will start all over again...upgrading

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Dace

I try not to think about just how much I have spent on my setup for 2 reasons:

1- I'd pull out my hair when I find out I have spent that much...and to think of all the other things I could have done with all that money

2- I'm very bad at budgeting...if I "want" something I get it no matter the cost, if I "need" something and it's too expensive I hold back. Thats my budget philosophy

As for my setup, I have purchased it piece by piece and I still am.

Here it is:
Sony VPLAW15 projector: 1200$ (purchased from the US)
Athena Technologies LS-500B front speakers: 400$ (They were 1/2 off)
Carada brilliant white 80" screen: 650$
Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver: 1400$ (couldn't be bought from much cheaper US)
Samsung Blu-Ray BD-P1000: 500$ (refurbished from eBay, was 1200 at the time)
Videotron illico HTDV cable box: 300$ (so expensive but I wanted HDTV)
Misc. cables: about 200$
Monster HTS MK3600 power conditioner: 300$ (purchased MK3500 off eBay, Monster replaced with MK3600)
Logitech Harmony 550 remote: 100$ (on sale at Futureshop)

For a total of 5050$CDN, isnt that scary? I could've put new wood floors in my house or bought a used car. Oh well, I much rather have my home theater

Also, I still need to buy a center channel, subwoofer and rear speakers. Who knows if and when the purchasing will end. Maybe when I am finished I will start all over again...upgrading

If you're happy with your setup then you shouldn't regret anything. We only live once, might as well do what you enjoy the most.

[chris_617]

here's mine. at least what you can see in front when you watch in my home theater.

Tv- $8000
Sony amp receiver- $5000
Sony DVD multi player- $800
Speakers- $5000
Sub- 1400
wires- $800
power conditioner- $400
laptop- $1400
lazyboy theater seats -$2000
Blu-ray Player- $1000
tv stand - $600
Hard disc drives 2T-$1000
Sony DVD 5 disc changer- $300
do i have to include the money spent for the room????? nah!

I've been into theater setup since 1991 and i started with low budget setup then i upgraded only into these 5 years ago one by one.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by chris_617

here's mine. at least what you can see in front when you watch in my home theater.

Tv- $8000
Sony amp receiver- $5000
Sony DVD multi player- $800
Speakers- $5000
Sub- 1400
wires- $800
power conditioner- $400
laptop- $1400
lazyboy theater seats -$2000
Blu-ray Player- $1000
tv stand - $600
Hard disc drives 2T-$1000
Sony DVD 5 disc changer- $300
do i have to include the money spent for the room????? nah!

I've been into theater setup since 1991 and i started with low budget setup then i upgraded only into these 5 years ago one by one.

That's a nice chunk of change. Hopefully you're happy with it.

[chris_617]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

That's a nice chunk of change. Hopefully you're happy with it.

any word beyond happy i guess...:-) i still love it til now! that's what i call Live quality sight and sounds.