Have a room and $30k need advice.

[Slappi]

Nothing against this forum, but this is not the right one for it....

Go here

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

They have sections and systems in all price ranges.

Enjoy

Hey thanks for the site. So much information!!

[jocko_nc]

Small point of contention: I wouldn't go shopping with a "$30K budget"...

IMO, you may end up with the system that adds up to $30K that is what the seller wanted to sell you, that which is best for him. (puts the most margin in the seller's pocket.) Figure out what you want, then shop it. Don't give a price target, be willing to pay for the value provided. You know what you want to spend in the end, but you won't get cornered in the process. It costs too much, reconfigure. If you have extra, sweet. Ask questions and read up. Please don't spend a lot on cables. No Bose.

You should get plenty of good component recommendations. Have fun!

jocko

[Slappi]

Small point of contention: I wouldn't go shopping with a "$30K budget"...

IMO, you may end up with the system that adds up to $30K that is what the seller wanted to sell you, that which is best for him. (puts the most margin in the seller's pocket.) Figure out what you want, then shop it. Don't give a price target, be willing to pay for the value provided. You know what you want to spend in the end, but you won't get cornered in the process. It costs too much, reconfigure. If you have extra, sweet. Ask questions and read up. Please don't spend a lot on cables. No Bose.

You should get plenty of good component recommendations. Have fun!

jocko

Yah I hear what you're saying. I am going to do a lot of research over the next few months so I don't get ripped off. I want to be able to say this is what I want and how much can you do it for.

[GMichael]

I like the projector route. How is the lighting in your room? Many new projectors out that are kicking butt. LCD's are getting better and DLP's are getting less expensive. Here is a great place for information. http://www.projectorcentral.com/

The Optima HD72 is getting great reviews. http://www.projectorcentral.com/home...projectors.htm

[Florian]

From Joe, sponsored by me

http://www.apogeeclub.de/HTRoom.doc

[AVMASTER]

[QUOTE=jocko_nc]Small point of contention: I wouldn't go shopping with a "$30K budget"...

IMO, you may end up with the system that adds up to $30K that is what the seller wanted to sell you, that which is best for him. (puts the most margin in the seller's pocket.) Figure out what you want, then shop it. Don't give a price target, be willing to pay for the value provided. You know what you want to spend in the end, but you won't get cornered in the process.

Imagine walking into a custom A/V shop knowing what you what to do, and your already wired to do it. The salesperson jots down your info and proceeds to show you several demo rooms; each one sounds and looks fantastic.After an hour you're really hyped up and the salesperson suggests putting together a proposal and will e-mail you that night.
You get home, check your email and theres' his proposal for $100,000.00!!!!!
Why the sticker shock? Its the salespersons' job to make money so they will propose the best stuff, why go low when you can start high?So now you say it's too much, redo it, he sends it back $50k less, you say redo it, back it comes $50k less, etc. etc. etc.. Actually this is a wastefull approach but without a set budget to work within can you blame the salesperson for shooting for the stars? Only you know what you're willing to pay and that info should be shared!

[jocko_nc]

I disagree. I try not to buy something with a set budget, at least not one that I share with the seller. I want to see the relative costs and values. I may spend more or less than I had intended, I'll ultimately take what is the best value for the money. Show me what you got and how much it will take to make it happen. Lay out the options and then you negotiate. To do otherwise puts the seller in charge of the process. IMO, if you give someone a "budget", they will spend right up to it, creating the package that is most advantageous to them.

Worst case example: Go into a car dealership, tell the guy you have $500.00 / month to spend on a car payment, and see what kind of deal you get.

The necessary first step is to inform yourself on what is out there and what is possible. Don't waste your time of his. Do your homework. An uninformed shopper never gets a good deal.

jocko

[jocko_nc]

Has anyone else ever tried to sell something to a buyer who would not allow you to define the value proposition to your terms? Professional buyers usually do this, it is a pain in the butt. What suffers are the margins. As a buyer, that is the way to go.

jocko

[jocko_nc]

I guess what I am getting at is that $30K is a lot of money and ought to get you a sch-weeeet setup. Or, on the other hand, it could get you a merely nice setup. The audio will be the most subjective and difficult part. The difference is doing your homework and, possibly, how much margin the seller puts in his pocket.

I'd LOVE to put $30K into some electronics. Fortunately / unfortunately, I have to spend almost that same amount on a boat dock and lift! Oh well, priorities. Did I mention that I am going to shop the hell out of it? Prices are all over the place.

If I had to do it, I'd save a lot of bucks with proven DIY speakers and quality used analog equipment. Towers for mains. Similar-but-smaller center. I'd do similar-again custom built-ins for the rears. DIY subs can be outstanding, I have two of them. Again, you can do a partial built-in which saves on cabinet finishing. For power, a stack of used Adcom 545 and 535's all around. I would make up my own quality wiring as needed. Add a decent AV receiver, you are in business for not a lot on money. The result would rival a system costing 10X. I realize I am a little to the extreme in this regard...

jocko

[AVMASTER]

what if Slappi had posted without a budget, would you know where to begin? Providing a set budget saves time, protects you from purchasing more than you need and provides peace of mind in knowing that you got the best you could afford. Your right about doing your homework first however the options can be overwhelming for some and getting the parts to work together seemlessly is not as easy as it may sound; so providing a dealer with as much info as possible ( including a budget ) should be the first step.