Home Theatre for 4L? Help!

[varuunn]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I had almost decided to get the multiple award willing Dali Ikon home cinema package which was 2.25 lacs at the time. Then I heard about a company called MK Sound and the rest as they say is history.

One listen to MK Sound was enough to conclude that it was leagues ahead of any HT system I had heard. Finally I went for it. I was way too expensive compared to the Dali set but every paisa worth the money. If you would like to hear the MK Sound speaker system send me a PM.

For the kind of space you have, I'd strongly recommend two subs rather than one. You'd just get a lot more better feel with two subs.

The budget you have is very good. But please don't even think about Transparent Audio high end cabling. You will run out of your budget on cables alone

First of all I'd say be sure to decide what do you want. Is this budget only for audio part or does it include video equipment as well? If the budget is inclusive of video, set half of it aside for the video part. Cant say about you, but most people who visit a private theater, their first impression is made by the display device. If you go for a proper display device for such a large space, set aside 2 lacs for that. Your overall joy would be a lot more this way, rather than if you get a Rs 50k TV and spend the rest on audio part.

Finally, a little friendly wallet alert: Rs 4 lac might seem a lot when you start with such a quest. But once you get going the money just goes up in the air, without a trace. :lol: So be cautious while making your wishlist.

Hi,

Thank you for this extremely informative post, i would love to hear these speakers. How and where ?

Thanks!

 

[varuunn]

Since you are building from scratch, and your room is so big, you are a perfect candidate to have Dolby Atmos. The new AVR's with Atmos will be available in few months. Get an AVR with good room correction as Audyssey XT32 so that's one more plus.

At this moment, you need to plan your seating layout, screen size and speaker layout. Next is the room treatments. People often overlook room treatments but I can tell you from my experience - treated room is in another league as far audio is concerned. Room can make or break the sound. You would get big, tangible results with room treatments than spending on fancy amps or receivers.

Speakers - The M&K speakers suggested above is a very good choice. Also is Hsu. Those Hsu speakers are very good with music too. I was very surprised at how this $150 speaker delivers. Although not sure how it will perform if you listen to it from 15 ft plus. Your best bet is to audition all these speakers.

About subwoofers - having multiple subs is not for loudness but for smooth out response and get better seat to seat consistency. You can go diy route here, that will save you lot of money and give very good response. I know diy is looked down at HFV but many people are moving towards diy because what it offers. Check DIY Subs and Speakers section of AVS and you will get an idea.

One last advice - plan, plan and plan. If something is out of budget, then do it in stages. Audio/video is not buy once and done. You will be ready for upgrades in couple of years. Its very easy to get carried away and do costly mistakes of rebuy.

Hey Manoj,

Thank you for your help!

I am actually very confused now, there are so many speakers in this budget!
So as you said im thinking of doing the theater in phases, i have started the wall treatments, next the seating has been ordered. I also am now considering the Marantz 7008 after you Audyssey XT32 suggestion. I plan to cut down on the Transparent Audio cabling in order to offered this new amp.
But Dali is the only one which is still sticking out for me, i hope it will be a good decision. So confused!! :sad:
Thank you again

 

[varuunn]

Well I went the DIY way and ordered the screen material locally from a dealer in delhi. Got the frame made locally as well from a carpenter (providing him all the instructions). The gain value is 1.2 for my screen which is pretty acceptable.

What your budget for the projector?

Hey,

So i need help in this area. My four short listed projectors are, BenQ W1070, Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030, Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB and the Sony VPL-HW40ES. Prices Approx are $860, $899, $2,599 and $1,999 respectively. Now i would like to go for the Benq1070, good reviews and the cheapest of the four, but the Sony is in a different league, so maybe i can save up and buy that a little later. What is your opinion?

Also, for the screen, i plan to do it my self, can you tell me where i can get the screen material, how much i would need, and what the material is called ?

Thanks for you help

Varun

 

[ranjeetrain]

Thank you for this extremely informative post, i would love to hear these speakers. How and where ?

I'll send you a PM.

But Dali is the only one which is still sticking out for me, i hope it will be a good decision. So confused!! :sad:

If you like some speaker very much, don't let the guidance here change your mind. Remember, you will be the one who will use the HT on a daily basis. You don't want to live with a regret.

My four short listed projectors are, BenQ W1070, Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030, Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB and the Sony VPL-HW40ES. Prices Approx are $860, $899, $2,599 and $1,999 respectively. Now i would like to go for the Benq1070, good reviews and the cheapest of the four, but the Sony is in a different league, so maybe i can save up and buy that a little later. What is your opinion?

Also, for the screen, i plan to do it my self, can you tell me where i can get the screen material, how much i would need, and what the material is called ?

It is always a good idea to save up for better stuff. I don't mind using something okay as a stop gap arrangement. Anticipation is sweet, when you know you are on the road to acquire something good.

There are many DIY screen thread here. They are very detailed and informative. Do do a bit of searching. You will find most of your questions have already be answered.

 

[manoj.p]

Hey Manoj,

Thank you for your help!

I am actually very confused now, there are so many speakers in this budget!
So as you said im thinking of doing the theater in phases, i have started the wall treatments, next the seating has been ordered. I also am now considering the Marantz 7008 after you Audyssey XT32 suggestion. I plan to cut down on the Transparent Audio cabling in order to offered this new amp.
But Dali is the only one which is still sticking out for me, i hope it will be a good decision. So confused!! :sad:
Thank you again

Good. How are you doing the treatments? any more details? Can you post a picture of your theater layout?

 

[oracle1974]

I do have the dali ikon 6 floor standers and vokal 2 but not in such a elaborate setup as yours; but when I hear the sound from the vokal 2, there is definitely a wow-factor.

 

[sinister]

@varuunn - If you are planning on Sony projector, the model you are looking for is available @ discount @ Sony VPL-HW40ES Projector

Looks like the deal expires in a couple of days(12th July, 2014).

All the best!

Edit: Sorry, got over excited, I guess - the final price comes to $1,999.00 which is what you had quoted anyways. I was looking at open box, where its price is at $1,274.

 

[sash]

Do not forget to audition the Jamo D600 THX system. As for pre-power combos, Emotiva is highly rated and they ship to India as well - many people on this forum have got it, just search.

 

[varuunn]

Thank you guys for your help! Been very helpful.. Keep the comments coming

 

[varuunn]

Good. How are you doing the treatments? any more details? Can you post a picture of your theater layout?

Hey Manoj,

I'm doing the wall,ceiling and floor myself. Mostly, think carpet below, fabric on top, and on the walls, it's plywood and velvet fabric, with foam in the middle. What do you think?
Ill post pictures soon.
Varun

 

[varuunn]

I do have the dali ikon 6 floor standers and vokal 2 but not in such a elaborate setup as yours; but when I hear the sound from the vokal 2, there is definitely a wow-factor.

Oracle, what is your total setup?and how do you find the Dali 6?

Varun

 

[varuunn]

Do not forget to audition the Jamo D600 THX system. As for pre-power combos, Emotiva is highly rated and they ship to India as well - many people on this forum have got it, just search.

Hey Sash,

Thanks for the help? Any idea on the jamo price? And any dealers You know?

Varun

 

[sash]

Not sure about D600 but one of our FMs bought D500 with single D6 subwoofer for 2.35 lakhs at Cinebels many months ago. It is highly rated - see this whathifi review
Jamo D500 THX Select 2 review | Hi-fi speakers reviews | What Hi-Fi?

 

[oracle1974]

Oracle, what is your total setup?and how do you find the Dali 6?

Varun

I have the ikon 6 and vokal 2. Surrounds are from def tech. No subwoofer. I am using denon 2309.I am satisfied with this set-up.

My suggestion to you may go for surrounds and a subwoofer other than dali. This way you will save some money for a good projector and screen. Centre and floor stander need to be from the same brand family. I find the vokal 2 very impressive.the clarity of the dialogues is very good.

 

[varuunn]

Hey Guys,

Just an small update. I have purchased the Sony VPL-HW40ES from the US for $2000.
It's the best projector i could get with that budget.

As for the room, the flooring is done. With an elevation for a second tier seating. The acoustic treatments will start soon, for the walls i am putting panels made from ply, rockwool and fabric. the floor will have complete carpet cover, and as for the roof, i will be putting some sort of fabric again.

As for the Amp, i am pretty sold on the Marantz 7008 with Audessy 32.
And the speakers, i'm leaning towards a 7.2 setup with Dali Ikon 6 Mk2, Dali Vokal 2, Dali Ikon 2 x4 surround, Not decided on the two subwoofers yet.
Aagin this is a big room 35x19, hence the 7.2.

This is a slow project, looking at completion in September. Will post updates, whenever something new happens.

Would love to hear your comments as always

 

[Silentstorm]

Given the room size you have to get 2 subs else you wont be able to produce that "air compression" and hence produce the real feel of bass, i would recommend a pair of SVS PB1000 or even better PB2000 if you could. These will shake the things upstairs
I have owned all kind of subs in past but gotta say SVS is unmatchable. And yeah whatever you choose go for ported ones.

 

[varuunn]

Given the room size you have to get 2 subs else you wont be able to produce that "air compression" and hence produce the real feel of bass, i would recommend a pair of SVS PB1000 or even better PB2000 if you could. These will shake the things upstairs
I have owned all kind of subs in past but gotta say SVS is unmatchable. And yeah whatever you choose go for ported ones.

Hey storm,

Thanks for your input, you have any idea how much these would cost?

Varun

 

[Silentstorm]

Hey storm,

Thanks for your input, you have any idea how much these would cost?

Varun

I bought mine from US, but I inquired last year at one dealer in Delhi, PB1000 was like 54k that time so i would say around 50k now. PB2000 he didn't carry. I would suggest calling Audire Technologies, they are authorized SVS distributors in India.

 

[mshifi]

PB 2000 is around 79k

 

[varuunn]

Guys, another question, I play my movies mostly from my Mac mini, all high resolution 7.1 downloads. What I wanted to know is wether I would require a DAC?
Been reading about it, can't get a good answer.