Quote Originally Posted by mariannes504
Our budget of $12,000 (max out at $15,000) is for "equipment" only - not wiring, cables, furniture etc... We really want a nice size screen 90" - 100" with hi def for a good theater experience. The projectors we have looked at are in the $4,000 - $6,000 range and the screens are around $1000. I'm hoping to get it all (audio - for great sound effects & video for awesome pic's) - in my budget. Though right now I feel like I need to take a college course to catch up with technology. This room is also going to have double doors that open to a 18 x 29 Rec Room w/ pool table - darts etc... for those superbowl moments every guy wants. Too big a dream for my budget?? I don't know, if I can't have it all immediately then I really need ideas on a good system to build on.

Glad to have your feed back! Thanks!
I didn' t realize those screens could be had for as little as $1000, although it's been quite some time since I researched them. You should have plenty of $ remaining to get a very nice audio system as well; not "state of the art", but very nice just the same. I went with a prossessor with separate amps (one 5 channel, one 2 channel) as apposed to a receiver, which, while costing more in most cases, allows for greater flexibility and easier upgrading down the road. As to what brand you choose, I can't begin to tell you, but if you read enough of the posts on this forum, you should be able to find some excellent advice. The only advice I can give you that I will stand behind is that you should get the best speakers you can afford first and foremost. If you cheap it there, you'll notice it immediately. A 12" sub-woofer is the smallest you should consider, and it may be the largest as well when you consider the modest size of your room. You also need to break up the flat walls with some bookshelves or something to soak up all those soundwaves.