What Home Theatre Setup Should I Get with ₹5 Lakhs as a Beginner?

[Swamps]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to set up a home theatre for the first time and have a budget of ₹5 lakhs. I'm a beginner and would love some guidance from the experts here on how to make the most out of this investment.

Some points to consider:

This will be for a medium-sized room (400 sq ft).

I enjoy a mix of movies, music, and gaming.

I have a Television (LG C2)


long-term reliability are important to me.


Could you please recommend:

1. A good combination of audio components (AV receiver, speakers, Prefer tower speakers over bookshelf speaker)?


2. Any brands or models that are beginner-friendly but still offer premium performance?


3. Whether it makes sense to buy everything at once or build it out in phases?


4. Anything I should avoid or common beginner mistakes?



Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

 

[hardcore_gamer99]

You need to give priority to one of these movies, music, and gaming. Music and movies both at the same time you can enjoy with one subwoofer. Ported subwoofer is for movies while sealed one is for music. That sudden low end in movies say 20hz 15hz ported subwoofer will be quick in delivering that low end and has more SPL in 20hz area while sealed sub has more SPL in 40 to 50hz frequency and less SPL in 20 to 30hz area so good for music. Choice is yours.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Anything I should avoid or common beginner mistakes?

Don't over spend.
I think 5 lacs is way too much money on something that is new to you. How do you know if you will even enjoy the clutter of all this equipment!
Slash that budget by 50% and start.
Start with a Quality Av Receiver that has Pre Outputs, a pair a good loudspeakers and work your way up from here.
Almost everything out there is beginner friendly.
Reliability is down to your luck. You can import gear but I don't think its necessarily puts you in a better spot as far as reliability goes. Buy local, from a local reputed dealer who will back you up post Sales. Few care about this. Getting the best bargain isn't the most important thing.

Start with a Denon or Yamaha AV receiver paired to KEF Q Series Loudspeaker. There are over a dozen permutations you can do with other brands and at different price points so please listen and explore. The names I put are sort of my safe haven, eyes closed buy. If you will.

Build in phases.

 

[edjamesx]

Start doing more research and do audition of speakers , HT setup as much as possible.
Pick up Good AV receivers up to 11 channel in Denon ,Marantz , Yamaha, Pioneer ..etc. will cost u - 1.2 to 1.5 lakhs
Pick up speakers - focus more on good front stage (LCR) speakers , will cost u - 1 to 1.5 lakhs.

Spend good money on powrful Sub woofers - XTZ,SVS,Rythemic, REL ..etc. Go with 15" if possible, or 12". (will cost u 1.6 to 2 lakhs).
The sub is very essential component for movie watching .. The more powerful and tight bass will you best experience.

Spend rest of the money on surround speakers.

For speakers look at: FOCAL ,Bowers & Wilkins , DALI , Monitor Audio ,PSB , Klipsch ..etc.

 

[suku_patel_22]

My 5.1.2 setup with Mara to, Wharfdale bookshelves and Rel sub cost me around 3L. With towers, it can be replicated for around 3.5. Details are in my signature

Take a look, audition them and then decide

 

[Swamps]

Don't over spend.
I think 5 lacs is way too much money on something that is new to you. How do you know if you will even enjoy the clutter of all this equipment!
Slash that budget by 50% and start.
Start with a Quality Av Receiver that has Pre Outputs, a pair a good loudspeakers and work your way up from here.
Almost everything out there is beginner friendly.
Reliability is down to your luck. You can import gear but I don't think its necessarily puts you in a better spot as far as reliability goes. Buy local, from a local reputed dealer who will back you up post Sales. Few care about this. Getting the best bargain isn't the most important thing.

Start with a Denon or Yamaha AV receiver paired to KEF Q Series Loudspeaker. There are over a dozen permutations you can do with other brands and at different price points so please listen and explore. The names I put are sort of my safe haven, eyes closed buy. If you will.

Build in phases.

Additionally, I would like to clarify that this is not my first experience with a home theatre system. Previously, I shared a setup with a friend, and since we have now moved to separate locations, I am planning to build a dedicated home theatre of my own, as I greatly enjoy the immersive experience it provides.

As mentioned earlier, my primary usage will be for gaming and movies, with occasional use for music. Given this context, could you please suggest the most suitable setup for my requirements?

Furthermore, I am based in Bangalore. Could you also recommend any reputable stores or showrooms where I could explore and purchase the necessary equipment?

Looking forward to your guidance.

 

[Swamps]

Start doing more research and do audition of speakers , HT setup as much as possible.
Pick up Good AV receivers up to 11 channel in Denon ,Marantz , Yamaha, Pioneer ..etc. will cost u - 1.2 to 1.5 lakhs
Pick up speakers - focus more on good front stage (LCR) speakers , will cost u - 1 to 1.5 lakhs.

Spend good money on powrful Sub woofers - XTZ,SVS,Rythemic, REL ..etc. Go with 15" if possible, or 12". (will cost u 1.6 to 2 lakhs).
The sub is very essential component for movie watching .. The more powerful and tight bass will you best experience.

Spend rest of the money on surround speakers.

For speakers look at: FOCAL ,Bowers & Wilkins , DALI , Monitor Audio ,PSB , Klipsch ..etc.

Hello,

I am based in Bangalore. Upon researching AVRs, I have noticed that most models within the ₹1 lakh price range offer a power output of less than 100 watts per channel. May I kindly ask where you are sourcing AVRs with higher power output at the prices you have mentioned?

Thank you once again for your valuable inputs.

 

[cinemaengineering]

Hello,

I am based in Bangalore. Upon researching AVRs, I have noticed that most models within the ₹1 lakh price range offer a power output of less than 100 watts per channel. May I kindly ask where you are sourcing AVRs with higher power output at the prices you have mentioned?

Thank you once again for your valuable inputs.

if you want to experience the best sound demo in Karnataka for this price range. you can visit us at Mysore showroom for a free demo of 4k hdr projection with madvr, ultrasonic subs and cinema grade speakers for this price range.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Furthermore, I am based in Bangalore. Could you also recommend any reputable stores or showrooms where I could explore and purchase the necessary equipment?

Start with Pro Fx, Audio Planet, Cinebels.
I would not necessarily buy from them. You can window shop. Always compare prices before buying.
I made some recommendations on my first reply. Could you be more specific as to what information you need?
Also, you don't need more than 60 to 80 watts per channel.

 

[edjamesx]

Hello,

I am based in Bangalore. Upon researching AVRs, I have noticed that most models within the ₹1 lakh price range offer a power output of less than 100 watts per channel. May I kindly ask where you are sourcing AVRs with higher power output at the prices you have mentioned?

Thank you once again for your valuable inputs.

Yes... This should be sufficient to start with. Even if you go with high range AVRs they provide 150 to 180 watts output 2 channel driven. You need to purchase power amplifier separately in order to get more power for each channel > 180 watts output. You can do this upgrade later when you have budget. To start with 100 watts RMS should be suffice. i think denon 3700h AVR have >100 watts output.

There's one more route for HT audio setup ,where most audio enthusiastic prefer - going with AV processor+ power amplifier, this will be better any day , but the amount you pay here is very huge for that you may not see much difference as a beginner.
In bangalore as others mentioned , there of lot of dealers , you can approach them for demo + deals.

 

[rwnano]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to set up a home theatre for the first time and have a budget of ₹5 lakhs. I'm a beginner and would love some guidance from the experts here on how to make the most out of this investment.

Some points to consider:

This will be for a medium-sized room (400 sq ft).

I enjoy a mix of movies, music, and gaming.

I have a Television (LG C2)


long-term reliability are important to me.


Could you please recommend:

1. A good combination of audio components (AV receiver, speakers, Prefer tower speakers over bookshelf speaker)?


2. Any brands or models that are beginner-friendly but still offer premium performance?


3. Whether it makes sense to buy everything at once or build it out in phases?


4. Anything I should avoid or common beginner mistakes?



Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Phases, buy used.

 

[caspian1985]

Yes... This should be sufficient to start with. Even if you go with high range AVRs they provide 150 to 180 watts output 2 channel driven. You need to purchase power amplifier separately in order to get more power for each channel > 180 watts output. You can do this upgrade later when you have budget. To start with 100 watts RMS should be suffice. i think denon 3700h AVR have >100 watts output.

There's one more route for HT audio setup ,where most audio enthusiastic prefer - going with AV processor+ power amplifier, this will be better any day , but the amount you pay here is very huge for that you may not see much difference as a beginner.
In bangalore as others mentioned , there of lot of dealers , you can approach them for demo + deals.

No AVR on the market produces more than 150W a channel, 2 channel driven.

When comparing power specs check that the power is as per the FTC standard reporting ( 2 channels driven, 8 ohm load, THD < 0.1%, 20Hz - 20kHz ). Otherwise you see absurd numbers. Another way to compare AVRs ( class A/B ) is to look at total power consumption. I specific class A/B because class D will run much more efficiently so you can’t compare class a/b and class d based on power consumption

 

[Swamps]

Yes... This should be sufficient to start with. Even if you go with high range AVRs they provide 150 to 180 watts output 2 channel driven. You need to purchase power amplifier separately in order to get more power for each channel > 180 watts output. You can do this upgrade later when you have budget. To start with 100 watts RMS should be suffice. i think denon 3700h AVR have >100 watts output.

There's one more route for HT audio setup ,where most audio enthusiastic prefer - going with AV processor+ power amplifier, this will be better any day , but the amount you pay here is very huge for that you may not see much difference as a beginner.
In bangalore as others mentioned , there of lot of dealers , you can approach them for demo + deals.

I am thinking of denon x4800h or yamaha rx A6A avr what do you think?

 

[bhooshaniyer]

I would completely go wireless sans avr for this budget.. would look classy.

 

[cinemaengineering]

I am thinking of denon x4800h or yamaha rx A6A avr what do you think?

3800h or 4800h is better

 

[edjamesx]

I am thinking of denon x4800h or yamaha rx A6A avr what do you think?

yes denon x4800h is better than yamaha rx A6A.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Onkyo would be a better option with Dirac live preinstalled.

 

[Swamps]

Onkyo would be a better option with Dirac live preinstalled.

Could u suggest a model

 

[Swamps]

yes denon x4800h is better than yamaha rx A6A.

Whats the reason for x4800h to be better than rx A6A

 

[edjamesx]

Whats the reason for x4800h to be better than rx A6A

If you are movie freak then Denon works better , for Music Yamaha is better. In general Denon sound signature is better than other AVRS. Denon provides better features / options to tune the sound. You get frequent firmware upgrades .. easily for denon which improves overall listening experience.

Just do audition of both AVRS from your end and decide which sounds best to your ears. Denon may be slightly expensive than Yamaha , but its worth spending on it.