I have decided to build a dedicated cinema in my house and I am now in the position of looking for a projector up to say 3500, speaker/sound package up to say 4k and seating for 10 people. I have just started looking and thought I would ask on here for ideas. Any pointers or suggestions would be highly appreciated.
One of the specialist Hi-Fi shops I visited a few years ago used seats taken from a BA 747's first class section. Lovely and wide with leather finish and the armrest mounted cup holders and fold out tables etc still in place.Originally Posted by langdalematt
I decided straight away that this was what I'd do if I ever built myself a home cinema.
I was lucky enough to have a demo at this place, no cinema has ever been the same since.
http://www.homecinemagallery.com
Show room just of M11
The D Box chairs are awesome they are programmed to move with the film, the screen has a wall of speakers behind it so as the persons face moves the voice comes from behind their face and moves with them.
That's a nice budget you have there. You should be easily able to get a decent Epson projector and have more than enough for a decent screen.
I have an Epson and Grandview screen and would have got plenty of change out of what you have budgeting towards a projector.
The JVCs get great reviews too.
I went for a Denon amp and Monitor Audio ceiling speakers. Ceiling speakers will never be as good as floor standers or bookshelf speakers but for they are great for a discreet install.
If I am not mistaken these guys are excellent and do work in your area.
http://intoav.com/contactus.htm
Definitely a JVC projector. Speakers KEF 'R' series. Amplification Yamaha Avantage maybe a 2030. Fabulous system. I've installed a couple of these in dedicated rooms and the sound was frighteningly real.
Rod
Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely go and see these guys as they are indeed not a million miles away .
A decent sub is a must, and I'd avoid the temptation to get one from the likes of KEF or B&W etc. You can get far far better performance for less money. I'd look at SVS, Velodyne, or perhaps BKElec at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Spend a little time with some graph paper and a sound pressure level meter to plot in-room response at half a dozen frequencies and you'll see if there are any nasty peaks or troughs. If there are, then try different sub positions before considering investing in some additional electronics to smooth things out.
As it's a dedicated room, remember a few quid spent on sundries to help seal the room will pay dividends. A lot of people misunderstand sub-bass, associating it with the hideously distorted and muffled crap that is typical of cheap nightclubs. Good HT sub-bass is an addictive thing. A pressurized room and clean sub-bass below 20Hz is something you can't necessarily hear, but god you can feel it through your chest, and even during non action film sequences, it can add real atmosphere and tension to a movie.
I have a modest front room setup, but I've not been in a commercial cinema yet that can come close to what my system can achieve sonically. And, with the current line of JVC projectors, very few cinemas could compete visually either.
Gary
I've recently finished my home theatre and I'm very impressed. I've got a Optoma HD25e with a 92 inch screen. Although this projector is a lot less than your budget, I'm more that happy with it. For sound, I've gone for a 7.1 setup. I've had mates round for cinema nights and they have all been very impressed. Once you have a projector setup, you won't regret it and will not want to watch a film on the tv again.
Have a look at Carada screens, not cheap but the difference it made to my HT in dynamic range and general "pop" from colours was amazing... I'm on my 3rd Hi Def Panny PJ and for me they just can't be beat.
I echo what has been said previously about Subs and whilst velodyne are amazing I doubt your budget will stretch to one. BK electric represent excellent VFM and if you are not already a member of avforums.com I suggest you join as it is a fantastic resource when researching and setting up a HT... Good luck and let's see some pics when you are done!!
Bit of warning.
As much as I loved my home cinema (JVC DILA HD1 , when it came out and a whole bunch of other stuff) if you use a projector be aware that you will probably want a secondary screen for less critical viewing. I had a motorised screen that dropped down in front of panasonic plasma ( a professional monitor not a TV). All my sources were sent to both displays simultaneously. ( both were also calibrated and looked near identical).
The advantage of the plasma was that I could just turn it on and watch, whereas the projector was used in anger; also projector bulbs have a limited lifespan and heat stress can take its wear on the projectors over time.
Saying that I would often use my projector for all types of viewing; films , gaming , TV even websurfing.
Loved it but I can't justify it now I travel so much. Sold off most of it a couple of years ago.
4k is doable but I would suggest you maybe start of with a plasma and bring in the projector later on. Good entry level projectors I found the Panasonic LCD ones to be superb first machines and excellent value for money , there all much of a muchness after that until you hit the JVC DILAs which are sublime. Second hand market is full of bargains; check out the classifieds on the avforums.
Yamaha would be my first go to for an AV amp, started with a DSP-A2 nearly 15 years ago (still use it as the amp in my office) and replaced it 5 years ago with an RXV-3800. Both sound amazing and have oodles of power. Both times they were demod with other amps in the similar price range and I thought they shone above. Also very well built, not had a hiccup with either.
My projector is a Panasonic (AE4000), and I had two Panasonics before that. When I come to upgrade their newest model (or last years just as the new ones come out, and the prices get slashed) will definitely be on my list. I haven't seen the newer JVCs though they always review very well, may be slightly above budget though. The best thing is to go and see as many as you can, but preferably at the same place, so you know the source and screen aren't effecting the test.
Speaker wise the KEFs Rod mentioned should certainly get a look in, I also very much liked the whole Monitor Audio range last time I was demoing for a new pair of bookshelf speakers (took the opportunity to listen to some others well above budget).
For a bass unit look no further than this: http://www.bkelec.com/hifi/Sub_Woofe...th-df_Plus.htm Uterly rediculous subbase with total control. Love mine.
I would look into the room preparation too, there are many acoustical treatments you can make at home for pennies that will really help in the overall presentation.
We have toyed with the idea of building a dedicated cinema and I would suggest that you initial spend goes on good speakers.... the other components, source, amplifiers, projection etc. will inevitably be upgraded as standards change. Good speakers tend to be good speakers :)
A cinema for 10 sounds (excuse the pun) like a fairly large room.... with this in mind, I would consider either Jamo D6 or Klipsch cinema speakers - although you may not agree with the sound - buy with your ears.
I'm midway through my attic conversion just now and about to spend on the speakers, screen and amp. Every time I read and learn more I am delaying the purchase and raising the spec! Its a big room so now upping the AMP - Yamaha 677 is the current favourite. SVS SB1000 for the sub but still can't make up mind about rear two ceiling speakers and front centre and L/R installation speakers. I hear the speaker to spend most money on, other than the sub,is the centre speaker given a lot of dialogue comes from here.
The center speaker is certainly important, but so are the other two front speakers. Whilst the rears get the least use it's still important to get things in balance. The one thing I would say is get all 5 (or 7) from the same manufacturer from the same range. You want them all to be tonally balanced.
Agreed, you must get speakers from the same manufacturer/range for them to be tonally identical.
But yeah the 2 fronts and the centre are the most important and most used
Anthony gallo Micros and a decent sub have the benefit of sounding great but alos being easy to hide away in a home cinema.
One day I will have a custom building in the back garden which is a home cinema again.
I'd definitely demo yamaha amps and Sony projectors. I've had a home cinema set up for 13 years (911 tragedy was one of the first things viewed so not difficult to remember) and have never moved from either, currently on 4th versions of both and still love the experience.
Oh, and haven't changed speakers or subs - mission and SVS respectively.
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