Big home theater budget

[Haaspac]

Long story short, I have quite a large budget for a Home Theater setup, but am only used to systems around 2-3 grand. I got lucky and was told that I could spend no more than 100thousand (I know, I'm an *******), I laughed and said "ummm what?" but this person was serious about giving me my dream home theater setup. Im sure its easy to drop 100k on a system but I'm trying to limit myself to 30-40k, because I'm sure at that point spending another 10k or more wont make any difference in sound quality. I already have a $4500 projector with a 108in screen. i just need to look at the other ingredients, speakers, subs, pre/pro or reciever or both, etc.

I'm trying to get ideas for high end HT stuff, but because I've been working with cheap stuff for so long, I've never been in the loop with the expensive equipment.

I don't know what room size ill have at the moment, in the process of looking for a new house to move to, but I'm looking for a big open basement type room with no windows, so that will tell me what setup I can work with, 7.1 7.2 11.2 etc etc. But I want to at least start with a 7.1 system and when I know more details I can add on to that with more speakers and another sub probably, and maybe better electronics, you know, just general tweeking.

Anyway heres what I've drawn up at the moment with my limited knowledge about big expensive equipment.

Speakers
revel ultima2 7 channel speakers
or
rbh signature series, 7 channel (maybe the t-30lse towers if they have them)

Sub
jl audio fathom f113 sub (gotham if budget permits)
or
axiom epic 600x2 (i dunno, just an idea, probably a bad one for my price range)

Electronics
anthem statement d2 with paired amp, denon/yamaha/emotiva flagship seperates, reciever etc.

Anyway thats what im looking at generally. Any well informed ideas and suggestions welcome.

 

[jostenmeat]

Who do you need permission from? Is it the wife, or the lending bank?

If I had six digits, I would immediately ask for a quote on a Rives Level 3 project.

 

[Haaspac]

the wife told me to take her credit card and "go big or go home"

 

[Midcow2]

You want to adopt me as your son ?

Long story short, I have quite a large budget for a Home Theater setup, but am only used to systems around 2-3 grand. I got lucky and was told that I could spend no more than 100thousand (I know, I'm an *******), I laughed and said "ummm what?" but this person was serious about giving me my dream home theater setup. Im sure its easy to drop 100k on a system but I'm trying to limit myself to 30-40k, because I'm sure at that point spending another 10k or more wont make any difference in sound quality. I already have a $4500 projector with a 108in screen. i just need to look at the other ingredients, speakers, subs, pre/pro or reciever or both, etc.

I'm trying to get ideas for high end HT stuff, but because I've been working with cheap stuff for so long, I've never been in the loop with the expensive equipment.

I don't know what room size ill have at the moment, in the process of looking for a new house to move to, but I'm looking for a big open basement type room with no windows, so that will tell me what setup I can work with, 7.1 7.2 11.2 etc etc. But I want to at least start with a 7.1 system and when I know more details I can add on to that with more speakers and another sub probably, and maybe better electronics, you know, just general tweeking.

Anyway heres what I've drawn up at the moment with my limited knowledge about big expensive equipment.

Speakers
revel ultima2 7 channel speakers
or
rbh signature series, 7 channel (maybe the t-30lse towers if they have them)

Sub
jl audio fathom f113 sub (gotham if budget permits)
or
axiom epic 600x2 (i dunno, just an idea, probably a bad one for my price range)

Electronics
anthem statement d2 with paired amp, denon/yamaha/emotiva flagship seperates, reciever etc.

Anyway thats what im looking at generally. Any well informed ideas and suggestions welcome.

Wow very nice budget.

The fathom is an outstanding sub. Or you could go two SVS PB13-Ultras

The high-end Marantz is also a good AVR SR8002 or separates: AV8003 preamp MM8003 power amp. I would also look at McIntosh.

Have you auditioned any of the speakers yet? Are you set on Revel? At that price level MartinLogan and Wilson Audio should also be auditioned.

Good luck

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would do this:

Revel Ultima Salon2 x 5 = $45,000. Retail is $11K ea, but your dealer should give you 20% off. Specs: 29 Hz - 18 kHz +/- 0.5dB, 26 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 1.0dB. Tom Nousiane measured a SPL of 106 dB @ 35 Hz from 2 meters away in his 7,500 sq. ft. room. So you don't even need a subwoofer.

Or the same thing with the B&W 800D x 5 = $45,000.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI = $12,000. Retail is $15K for the combo, but again, your dealer should give you 20% off.

Total = $57,000.

 

[GlocksRock]

definitely go with dual SVS ultra subs over the JL, not that JL is bad by any means, but you will still have fantastic subs and save some cash in the process. Plus you will get the benefit of dual subs. Also don't forget to check out the monster 10 channel Denon amp that was reviewed here not to long ago, you can bridge some channels to get extra power if you need, which would come in handy for your front speakers.

 

[Midcow2]

I would do this:

Revel Ultima Salon2 x 5 = $45,000. Retail is $11K ea, but your dealer should give you 20% off. Specs: 29 Hz - 18 kHz +/- 0.5dB, 26 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 1.0dB. Tom Nousiane measured a SPL of 106 dB @ 35 Hz from 2 meters away in his 7,500 sq. ft. room. So you don't even need a subwoofer.

Or the same thing with the B&W 800D x 5 = $45,000.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI = $12,000. Retail is $15K for the combo, but again, your dealer should give you 20% off.

Total = $57,000.

Hey Haaspac,

AcuDefTechGuy continues to impress me with his breath of knowledge and experience. I would say that he has made an excellent recommendation; just add a pair of SVS PB13-Ultra subs! Especially ,since he didn't recommend Definitive Technology speakers, then the Revel Ultima speakers must be really, really good !

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey Haaspac,

AcuDefTechGuy continues to impress me with his breath of knowledge and experience. I would say that he has made an excellent recommendation; just add a pair of SVS PB13-Ultra subs! Especially ,since he didn't recommend Definitive Technology speakers, then the Revel Ultima speakers must be really, really good !

***Ha**Ha***ha***Very funny!

I don't know about you guys, but when I think about $100K Home Theaters, I just can't see buying anything other than Revel, B&W, Krell, Wilson Audio, MacIntosh, Lexicon - including the subs.

That's another idea! How about a Krell Pre-Pro + Amp & Krell 7.1 Speakers/Sub?

Or Revel + Lexicon Pre-pro + Amp?

It's pretty fun to talk about this kind of budget.

Since I own DefTechs, I won't recommend DefTechs unless the OP wants me to. It just wouldn't be right voting for yourself.

 

[Phil Taylor]

Excellent recommendations so far - I have nothing really to add except that I am extremely JEALOUS! Sounds like you have a heckuva wife - does she have a single sister?

 

[Haaspac]

looking at all the brands of speakers and electronics, whats the difference between them when they all cost around the same. for instance whats the difference between one set of speakers thats costs 50grand and another company offering the same thing at the same price range, same with pre/pro electronics.

 

[Haaspac]

Excellent recommendations so far - I have nothing really to add except that I am extremely JEALOUS! Sounds like you have a heckuva wife - does she have a single sister?

ha no, her older sister is married to a lawyer in chicago.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

looking at all the brands of speakers and electronics, whats the difference between them when they all cost around the same. for instance whats the difference between one set of speakers thats costs 50grand and another company offering the same thing at the same price range, same with pre/pro electronics.

Electronics (receivers, Pre-pros, Preamps, Amps) are practically the same, especially when comparing the same price class. They differ in some features and aesthetics. The most important thing here is enough POWER. Don't buy a $5,000 Luxman amp that only has 20 watts per channel.**hee**hee

Speakers differ period - both in sound and aesthetics. You just have to find the speakers that sound the best in your own room and look the best to you.

One person may prefer the sound of the B&W 800D. Another person may prefer the sound of the Revel Salon2. It's personal preferences.

You will just have to audition the speakers.

 

[annunaki]

I would look at the B&W 802D x 5 with 4 SVS Ultra's or JL Audio F-113. I would do no less than 300 watts rms per channel. That is, if, I were going the commercially available route.

I would probably build my own full active speakers & sub woofers. It would require no fewer than 12 Behringer EP2500's, 6 Behringer DCX2496's, and loads of high quality void free ply.

Contacting WmAx about his crazy projects would be high on my list too.

 

[Tod]

I would look at the B&W 802D x 5 with 4 SVS Ultra's or JL Audio F-113. I would do no less than 300 watts rms per channel. That is, if, I were going the commercially available route.

I would probably build my own full active speakers & sub woofers. It would require no fewer than 12 Behringer EP2500's, 6 Behringer DCX2496's, and loads of high quality void free ply.

Contacting WmAx about his crazy projects would be high on my list too.

The 802D does have a near-identical matching center - the HTM1D. I'm sure any dealer would mention it, but there it is if thinking about a massive upright center channel bothers you. 205 lbs! That's one you wouldn't want to put on a shelf over the TV...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, I said I wouldn't do this, but that was yesterday.

Today, I want to recommend another option.

Definitive Technology BP7000SC (retail $2,750 ea) x 7 and Trinity subwoofer (retail $3,000 ea) x 2 = $25,250 retail. 20% off = $20,000

Specs on BP7000SC: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 3dB @ 90dB w/m Anechoic.
Specs on Trinity: 16 Hz - 200 Hz +/- 3dB Anechoic.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI = $15,000 retail. 15% off = $13,000

Specs on AVP per Audioholics: 20 Hz - 30 kHz +/- 0.0 dB, 0.0002% THD, Crosstalk - 108dB @ 1 kHz, SNR 95dB.

Specs on POA: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.0 dB, THD 0.002% @ full power, SNR 94dB, Output Impedance 0.08 ohms, Damping Factor 100, Crosstalk Bridged -94dB, Power RMS 285wpc 4 ohms unbridged, 470wpc 4 ohms bridged.

Denon DVD-3800BDCI blu-ray = $2,000 retail.

Total = $35,000.

 

[jostenmeat]

Option #16:

Chum it up with either TLS Guy or WmAx, fly them out, feed them good food, and hire them to build a system.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Option #16:

Chum it up with either TLS Guy or WmAx, fly them out, feed them good food, and hire them to build a system.

Thats a damn good idea!

 

[Adam]

With $100k, have you considered getting the speakers installed in a smaller "room" with leather seats and an engine?

BTW, I'm jealous like just about everyone else. Holy moly, that's going to be a great system!

 

[Matt34]

A system based off the Revel Ultima Salon2 speakers.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI

Infinite baffle with 8-12 18" Maelstrom X subs.

Fly in Mark Seaton to calibrate it all.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

A system based off the Revel Ultima Salon2 speakers.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI

Infinite baffle with 8-12 18" Maelstrom X subs.

Fly in Mark Seaton to calibrate it all.

Very nice...I didn't know it, but Revel is owned by Harmon International Cool!