Trying to figure this one out, any help?

[boydh]

Hey there, new to this site but have read thru many of your statements and it really seems like people know what they are talking about, or hide it well! Need some quick help. Trying to establish a true value. I have a budget in mind for a home theatre system and am just trying to find out if what I am looking at is worthy of the price. I have been told by the sales people that it would be a great system but can't seem to find much feedback on the quality. Close to buying a 5.1 system from Lucid Acoustics. I was looking at the Proto X5i series and have been told it is the most bang for the buck possible, but can't find any ratings to substantiate the rumors. Here is what I am looking at:

Harman Kardon HD Reciever $600
Harman Kardon DVD Changer $350
4 Lucid Acoustics Proto X5i in walls $1600
1 Lucid Acoustics in wall 12" Sub 8w $750
Optima "720i" Projector w/ 92" Screen $2600
Total of $6000 + install.

The system is a little pricier than I was hoping for, but is the quality worth paying for? Or am I the mallard looking to be shot down today? Your help and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Looking at their site they appear to be a smaller internet direct manufacutrer. They don't appear to use anything too exotic in their designs (meaning readily available components from what I can tell) but the concepts for the in walls look very nice. Do they offer you the ability to at least hear a pair of bookshelf speakers in advance or have you heard them yet? If not, I would probably pass.

 

[billnchristy]

Yeah but....

I might NEED a couple of those!

 

[Davemcc]

You'd have to be high to create that thing, but they call themselves Lucid? Oh the irony.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah but....

I might NEED a couple of those!

Disappears into the room...

 

[STRONGBADF1]

MY sub looks like a lion and will eat that thing alive!

Sorry...internet forum humor...
SBF1

p.s. To the OP, I have never heard of Lucid so I can't be of help.

 

[boydh]

Thanks for your response. I have listened to them at a upperend shop in So. Utah and they do look very good and sound incredible, but then again most of these systems do, as I am rather new to the game. They come with a 15yr factory warranty against all defects, even user error! But it is interesting that no one has heard of them. Any suggestions on what you would put in a moderately good system? My second choice was some RBH's, I have also heard those but they too seem pricey.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I dont know, 6K is a lot of money so you want to do this right. Do you have to use in-wall speakers? How big is your room? What is your goal?

 

[boydh]

Thanks, room is 13x18 with 8 foot ceilings and a 1 foot step up for seating. In walls are not necessary, I just have 3 small kids and thought i would take the temptation away. Overall is to build a system that I will not want to replace in a couple of years but also something that will show value when I sell home in 3-4yrs. I really like the idea of a projector, I thought that a Marantz was the way to go until convinced otherwise by someone that I am sure just wanted to get his point across. Overall goal, great movie/sports quality.
Thanks

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am not certain that having in-wall speakers will add value to your home. It may even weed out some buyers as it dictates how they have to set up the furnishings. The second issue is that you have no way of knowing how they will sound in your house; once you install them it's not going to be easy to remove and return them. If you can; I would consider a small tower or a good bookself and use a sub with either one that you choose. The key is listen to all you can and even consider the ID companies and use their return policy if needed. Your room is pretty small so you can get a good SVS or HSU without breaking the bank.

It's much better to pick out your speakers before you decide which AVR you need.

I have no knowledge on projectors

 

[boydh]

Thanks.

A quick question. Is the Onkyo TX-SR804 7.1 a worthy receiver? It has some good customer/market reviews.

 

[j_garcia]

For that size room, yes the 804 should do well. I agree, you don't know what the speakers sound like in your room and if you don't like them, well there ain't no goin back. I also agree, when I look at houses, in-walls are a minus. In ceilings for surrounds or zones is fine, but for main speakers - not for me. Plus, why would you want to buy something you like only to leave it there when you move?

 

[boydh]

All good thoughts. It appears that you (j garcia) like Marantz quite well, is the 720p projector / audio tech 92" screen a good system? Thanks to this forum I am starting to become a little more aware of the mistakes i was about to make. Thanks for all of your help.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Unless you end up buying some really inefficient speakers then any of the mid-range AVRs from Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, Onky should be just fine in a room your size. I use the Yamaha RX 659 in a really, really big room and it is more than I need. Of course I will add an amp at some point but there is no good reason(well, maybe a couple)for doing that I just want one. Your main speakers should cost 1.5-2 x the cost of the AVR. The speakers are the very most important section of a system period.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't have experience with Marantz on the video side, but I love them for audio I believe someone else makes all of their video gear (and some of their audio gear too), some of it was Phillips, pieces of other gear from manufacturers like Panasonic. They repackage them using the video portion from someone else and add their own audio section usually, but not sure about the projectors. Me personally, I'd look at some of the other well known projectors.