$6,500 Home Theater System - Great Looks & Performance

[admin]

Putting together a complete home theater system from soup to nuts can be a daunting task. Just how much should one budget? What are the best products for the price? And what is right for your needs? These are common questions you may have or should have when assembling a home theater system. We can't always give you the right answer, but we can throw in and at least give some decent recommendations based on our knowledge of what's got excellent "bang for the buck" qualities as well as what we've determined simply performs in accordance with what we want our readers to expect. We set forth to put together a complete system on a budget of around $6k (including the Display) with the following goals in mind: 1) Have the ability to play cleanly at high output levels, 2) Make sure the system was reasonably priced, and 3) Incorporate "classy" looking products for high WAF.

Discuss "$6000 Home Theater System - Great Looks & Performance" here. Read the article.

 

[shadyJ]

Not too bad, but some curious items in there: why have bipole speakers and in-ceiling? The inclusion of the in-ceiling will sound like nothing on top of bipoles. I would just go with bookshelf speakers for surrounds anyway, they will be cheaper and better. The Oppo blu ray player is nice, of course, but you can get something that will playback blu rays just as well with a few less features for a lot less money. Also, for a real home theater, a projector system will be much better than a 55" TV. I say go for a OPtoma HD33 and a DIY screen, that will cost less than the TV and be worlds better. The sub is unimpressive, its alternatives are not bad but I would rather have something that can get loud. Sign me up for a Rythmik FV15, Hsu VTF3 or VTF15h, SVS PB12+, or Outlaw LFM-1 EX. Or maybe also an Epik Empire. The power conditioner is unnecessary, I would just place a UPS on a projector, or also HTPC if you have one. With a few alterations of some choices, I think a much better system can be had for the same price.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I think title ought to be updated to 7000 recommended system

 

[gene]

Not too bad, but some curious items in there: why have bipole speakers and in-ceiling? The inclusion of the in-ceiling will sound like nothing on top of bipoles. I would just go with bookshelf speakers for surrounds anyway, they will be cheaper and better. The Oppo blu ray player is nice, of course, but you can get something that will playback blu rays just as well with a few less features for a lot less money. Also, for a real home theater, a projector system will be much better than a 55" TV. I say go for a OPtoma HD33 and a DIY screen, that will cost less than the TV and be worlds better. The sub is unimpressive, its alternatives are not bad but I would rather have something that can get loud. Sign me up for a Rythmik FV15, Hsu VTF3 or VTF15h, SVS PB12+, or Outlaw LFM-1 EX. Or maybe also an Epik Empire. The power conditioner is unnecessary, I would just place a UPS on a projector, or also HTPC if you have one. With a few alterations of some choices, I think a much better system can be had for the same price.

This system was designed to integrate into a family room. I actually installed this exact system for my sister-in-law so I turned it into a series of articles. When putting together a system for such an application, matching the look of components is very important to some people. I was thrilled I convinced my sister-in-law to NOT go the inwall or cubed speaker route and instead she got some real speakers.

Most people cannot accommodate a front projector if their room isn't light controlled so a fixed panel display makes sense.

As for bipoles and in-ceiling speaker combo, I've had great success installing a # of systems like this, including my Family room system that uses RBH BI-pole/Dipole side surrounds and in-ceiling back channels. Many people (especially in Florida) have family rooms open to a kitchen or another room. When no back wall exists, its either you install an in-ceiling surround back channel or no surround back channel at all. I chose to go 7.1 in such cases and they always work out better than just a 5.1 setup.

Not everyone wants a large subwoofer in their room which is why I stuck with 2 EMP 1010 subs which produced usable bass in her room down to 20Hz at meaningful output levels as you can see in my formal review.

The SVS and Rythmik alternatives are some of the best for the price. The Rythmik is actually very inexpensive and its nicely finished and reasonably compact. Outlaw is a good option too if one can accommodate the size.

I won't blindly recommend products I have no experience with like the Epiks for example. When we get to review one and see how it performs, then we can surely add them as an alternative too.

 

[shadyJ]

Yeah, the EMP speakers look like pretty high value speakers to me, I wouldn't mind having some. And I don't mean to sound too critical- as it is, the recommended system is better than what most just by virtue of having real speakers.

 

[serrada]

Absolutely love these recommended systems and wish you'd update them more often!!!

I've not heard EMP speakers but personally think there might be some better offering for the wife approval factor in the living room. Perfectly acceptable for a home theater room. For the living room/wife factor maybe some definitive tech, monitor audio, etc.

Agreed no SVS in my living room. Great subs one of my first. And one of my all time favorate upgrades that gave the biggest wow effect to my system. But for ashetics and might break the budget. Velodyne optimum for a sub. Or towers with subs built in.

Love Yamaha, marantz/denon, onkyo, pioneer. Can't disagree with your Recomendation. Nice offerings from Anthem though.

Love all my generations of oppo player can't disagree there either.

I,m might be tainted but still cannot find better displays then plasmas. Unless its an extremely bright sunroom.

It's nice to have surge protectors with battery backup especially when satellite or cable spend so much time rebooting these days. Or of course with a projector. I'd personally go cheaper and spend the money on speakers and or better sub.

Can't say how much I love my blue jean cables!!

Again love these "recommended systems" and refer to them a lot to ppl that ask my advise. ppl hear my systems then they find out how much I've spent, from my wife, and I tell them they can have something similar for not much money. Then I refer them to your recommended systems. My only grip would be to update them more and am worried they are turning more into sales for audioholics then they used to be.

Thank you again for the new system.

 

[agarwalro]

At what budget does one start recommending room treatments? With a $5000+ budget, at the very least an Auralex Gramma or Subdude should be included.

What about an SPL Meter and some time with REW? Or is that asking for too much?

 

[fuzz092888]

Well I've read through one or two huge threads on room treatments, but from what I've gathered (with my small bit of knowledge), suggesting room treatments right off the bat as part of the system isn't necessarily useful. Some rooms could definitely benefit from some sort of treatment, but others will not.

Also if the person who is installing the system into their house gets everything in and loves how it sounds, why push them towards a seemingly unnecessary expenditure if they are already happy with what they have?

What I personally take away from the article, is the impression that anyone who has $6-7 grand to burn and wants to get just about everything mentioned in the article, and who goes looking for an article like this to tell them what they should get probably isn't interested in an SPL meter or anything beyond what comes right inside the AVR for their calibration needs. OR they would probably spend the extra $$ and get someone else to calibrate it for them.

Just my personal thoughts.

 

[GranteedEV]

I've not heard EMP speakers but personally think there might be some better offering for the wife approval factor in the living room. Perfectly acceptable for a home theater room. For the living room/wife factor maybe some definitive tech, monitor audio, etc.

In my experience, everyone, male or female, that has seen the EMP e55ti speakers in person, has only made positive remarks about their aesthetics.

I mean, i've had initial shocked "they're soo biggg" remarks but nothing beyond that.

So I have to disagree with you.

 

[shadyJ]

In my experience, everyone, male or female, that has seen the EMP e55ti speakers in person, has only made positive remarks about their aesthetics.

I mean, i've had initial shocked "they're soo biggg" remarks but nothing beyond that.

So I have to disagree with you.

I think the only Significant Others who would have a problem with the appearance of the EMPs would only allow very small satellite speakers, hidden in-walls, or no speakers at all.

 

[ack_bak]

Great article Gene. This is exactly the type of system many folks would look to include in their house that would pass the WAF test.

There are a lot of misconceptions out there concerning in-wall and in-ceiling speakers.

For in-wall speakers, they can and do sound every bit as good as their in-room counterparts (they just typically cost more). I am a big fan of Triad and Paul Scarpelli is a really helpful, friendly, and informative person to talk to and he would be the first to tell you that a properly configured and placed in-wall system will sound no different then the in-room counterpart.

There are clearly advantages and disadvantages to in-wall speakers, but there is a myth that seems to exist out there that you cannot get good sound from them. I have had the pleasure of spending time with several high end RBH and Triad in-wall systems and they sound amazing, just as good as in-room speakers I have heard from the same brands, and better than most other brands of in-room speakers.

I had to use in-ceiling surrounds in my space and am very happy with the in-ceiling bipolar Deftech speakers:

I do recommend using in-ceiling and in-wall speakers that have engineered enclosures when at all possible.

 

[jcl]

I always liked the recommended systems articles. I think they're a great way for someone who doesn't want to invest a lot of time & effort to assemble a good system for the money.

A couple questions though:
1. Is the remote on the Yamaha good enough to do without a universal remote? Especially for a 'main stream' family room system I would think the simplicity of a universal remote would be a good addition.

2. Are the streaming features on the Oppo & Yamaha good enough that you won't want to add a Roku or the like later on? I haven't used either but I found the interfaces and/or performance on my Onkyo & Panasonic wanting and went with a Roku.

Perhaps an 'upgrades' or 'next steps' section could be used for additional items that don't make the budget like these or acoustic treatments?

 

[scott911]

Perhaps an 'upgrades' or 'next steps' section could be used for additional items that don't make the budget like these or acoustic treatments?

I like that idea too. for example, if you really want deep bass or have a bigger room, offer an upgrade suggestion to the standard sub in the $6K system. SVS anyone?

Or, say you don't use Bluray's that much, offering a downgrade option to a cheaper piece of more basic equipment would be nice and broaden the appeal of the list.

That said - I too enjoy these lists a lot. thanks audioholic guy.

 

[sholling]

Thanks Gene. I mostly agree with the recommendation but like ShadyJ I'd steer people looking in this price range to a less expensive Blu-Ray player and put that money toward a more impressive subwoofer. People are trusting Audioholics to help them get maximum bang and satisfaction for their hard earned buck. Perhaps for the sub give a WAF option and a performance option and lay out the differences. Other than that it looks like a winner of a system.

 

[gene]

Thanks Gene. I mostly agree with the recommendation but like ShadyJ I'd steer people looking in this price range to a less expensive Blu-Ray player and put that money toward a more impressive subwoofer. People are trusting Audioholics to help them get maximum bang and satisfaction for their hard earned buck. Perhaps for the sub give a WAF option and a performance option and lay out the differences. Other than that it looks like a winner of a system.

I am a Bassaholic so yes I agree. I'd go with 2 of the SVS or Rythmik subs if space and price weren't issues. I am still impressed that my sister-in-law loves having big towers in her family room. She almost went with all in-walls / in-ceiling speakers.

 

[psbfan9]

Other sub and BD player options were mentioned in the article;

Bassaholics craving LOUDER and deeper bass may want to consider the following SVS and Rythmik Audio alternatives which aren't quite as elegant looking and also take up a larger footprint, but their performance per dollar is hard to beat. Two of either of these subs in this system would produce gut wrenching bass response.
Alternatives: SVS PB-12NSD | Rythmik FV-12

Other options for BD players were also mentioned;

Alternatives: Sony BDP-S780 | Toshiba BPX-3000

Am I missing something that ShadyJ and Sholling see? These seem to be cheaper than the 'featured' components.

EMPtek is having a very good sale on their speakers now. Having considered my options, I ordered the E5Ti Tower Speakers because they are shorter. I thought the size of the E55Ti would look ridiculous in my small room. And, at $250.00 a pair, It also fit my budget better.

E5Ti review;

EMP Tek Impression Series E5TiR Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review — Reviews and News from Audioholics

With the current sale and skipping the in ceiling speakers, that $6,000.00 can almost be cut in half.

EMPtek March madness sale link.

EMP Tek Impression Series Speakers--March Madness 3/2012

Thanks for another great article Gene!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My recommendation:
Speakers: 5 Philharmonic-1 towers = $4,000
Phil1 = $1600/2 speakers = $800/1 speaker x 5 = $4,000
http://philharmonicaudio.com/philharmonic1.html

Subwoofers: Rythmik FV12 = $500

AVR: Denon 3311 = $790
Amazon.com: Denon AVR-3311CI 7.2-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black): Electronics

BD: Panasonic 220 = $129
Amazon.com: Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Integrated Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray DVD Player: Electronics

TV: 60 inch LG plasma = $1,300
Amazon.com: LG 60PV450 60-Inch 1080p 600 Hz Plasma HDTV: Electronics

Total = $6700

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Tower for center would imo work in only one of these two cases:
a bit more common:
Behind Acoustically Transparent screen
or much more rare:
as part of Dedicated Multi-channel audio only system

I've seen pics of philharmonic center, thou I guess it's not official yet

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Tower for center would imo work in only one of these two cases:
a bit more common:
Behind Acoustically Transparent screen
or much more rare:
as part of Dedicated Multi-channel audio only system

I've seen pics of philharmonic center, thou I guess it's not official yet

Well, the Phil1 is only 41.5" high. I think placing the LCD 42" above the floor would not be too bad from 15ft away.

 

[gene]

I always liked the recommended systems articles. I think they're a great way for someone who doesn't want to invest a lot of time & effort to assemble a good system for the money.

A couple questions though:
1. Is the remote on the Yamaha good enough to do without a universal remote? Especially for a 'main stream' family room system I would think the simplicity of a universal remote would be a good addition.

2. Are the streaming features on the Oppo & Yamaha good enough that you won't want to add a Roku or the like later on? I haven't used either but I found the interfaces and/or performance on my Onkyo & Panasonic wanting and went with a Roku.

Perhaps an 'upgrades' or 'next steps' section could be used for additional items that don't make the budget like these or acoustic treatments?

No but the remote on the old RX-Z7 is good enough and its what I use. I agree, get a separate remote and I probably should update the article. I am not much of a remote person as I am too lazy to program them, especially since I'm always changing out gear.

Acoustic treatments are important but what's funny is the last time we incorporated them into a system, we got bashed b/c it ate up budget.

This article was intended to recommend a system for a normal family room where acoustic treatments are usually NOT an option. A throw rug, massive couches and curtains are the best solutions in such situations.

EDIT: I added the Universal Remote RF20 which we also did a review on. Seems like an easy to use, inexpensive and good option.