new HT set up

[Blue Man]

I have a room that is 20ft long and 15 ft wide with 9ft ceilings. The end wall is flat with no windows. I would like a HT with projector and use the wall for a screen. I plan on tiering the floor for seating, using a butt shaker along with a sub. My thought is to have a front ground level, seven feet back step up seven inches, then seven feet again step up seven more inches.

Questions:
Should I divide the room in thirds for the stadium/tier seating?
I have a five thousand dollar budget for equipment right now, how much more will I have to add to be happy?
I want a 7.1 system.
I will carpet the floor, what about the walls, any sound cloth needed?
Any suggestions are greatly needed for my system, I am not a guy that uses this as a hobby, but I want a great room to watch movies in.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

I have a five thousand dollar budget for equipment right now, how much more will I have to add to be happy?

That all depends on you. You can make it work....you've got 2700 cubic feet to fill....and alot of equipment to buy Im assuming......So do you have a a/v receiver and dvd player you're planning on using? Or are you buying everything?:

receiver
dvd player
7 speakers
sub
shaker
projector
screen
cables/wiring

???

Truly that's alot of gear for a $5000 budget.....I guess it all depends on you. I would say, sure it can be done, but another 2-3 grand will go a long-long way for your overall end results.

List your priorities: Is it picture, or sound.....earth shaking bass with WOW factor!!! What is it you really want out of your HT?

 

[df4801]

you can do a nice room for close to $5K
My recommended budget for a $5k system would be something like this.
Dont skimp on the sub. Get a cheap screen. I just think it looks nicer than the wall and may give a better picture also. Its amazing what $5K can get you these days. Just take your time to research and shop around for deals.

projector $2000
receiver $400
dvd $150
sub $600
7 speakers $1500
screen $200
cables $200

Have fun with the research!

 

[Blue Man]

Thanks, I can easily add a few grand to this, I would like a good balance between sound and picture. I think the butt shacker is just for fun. Where is a good place to start looking for equipment. I really know very little about this and need lots of help.

Do I really need a 7.1 system? I have a Onkyo/Polk 5.1 system now. I could add a amp and better sub right?

My buddy did a screen on the wall with a special paint and it looks great.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

I'd upgrade your budget on the receiver and speakers from what df4801 listed as an example (particularly your front three...since this is where you're going to be getting the majority of your sound from). Say $1500 on the front three and upping your budget just a few hundred bucks will get you a bigger better more accurate sub:

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm

http://www.hsustore.com/vtf3.html

Lots of choices for speakers....just remember your center channel is most important for HT and make sure you stick with the same line of speakers, at least for the front three.

Receiver wise I'd look to spend somewhere between $600 and $800....you might like the Pioneer Elites in this price range or the yammy's or Denon 2805 may be a nice fit depending on what you're wanting for video connections....do alittle research and check some out.

Ask more ? if you need to.