Ask Engadget HD: Home theater on a $2,500 budget?
By Richard Lawler 
posted June 4th 2010 12:15PM
posted June 4th 2010 12:15PM
We are currently in the process of finishing our basement. We have a nice wall for a flat screen, two small basement windows, dish, Blu-ray, and about $2500 to spend on a "home theater" (albeit a smallish one). If I want a HDTV and surround speakers - how should I go? Or am I not considering something else I should be? This is definitely a theater on a budget.
This is your mission if you choose to accept it, spend Thomas' money and get a setup any of us would be proud to do some television watching, gaming or movie night with the family on. Over here we're all BeoVision all the time, so what the proletariat are using to watch Teen Cribs on is a mystery to us.
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Panasonic TC-P50S2 (50" 1080p Plasma) = $800
PS3 Slim ($300)
Onkyo TX-SR508 Receiver = $300
4 Polk Audio TSi300 $200 x8 = $800
Polk Audio Monitor Series PSW10 Subwoofer = $100
Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker = $100
Total about $2400
@techlord 50" screen? Pillbox theater? Maybe you were thinking media room or family room.
@techlord
I love this set-up. However, I would go with a Pioneer or Denon receiver. The Panasonic TC series is great. I would also go with a middle of the road Klipch 5.1 or 7.1 set-up. I would kind of skip the PS3 because he stated he had already has a blu-ray player. I would also do a HTPC right next to everything because Netflix can now stream via a PC through the desktop or through the beautiful WM7. In addition, he could pick up many OTA stations if he chooses to go this route and save some money on the satellite service he already has. Just a though for some savings overall. Good luck.
@blckman
Pionner or Denon receiver would cost more and surpass the $2500 budget. i am suggest 4 tower speaker instead of 2 front, all tower is much better trust me.
@techlord
I like the:
Klipsch Theatre 500 ($700)
Pioneer VSX-920-k ($649)
PS3 ($300)
Panasonic TCP46C2 ($849)
I suggest this with my professional advice. I sell electronics as a career.
@techlord I have a Dwin Transvision 4 which was exceptional at the time. Sure it cost 13k (not to be discussed in this topic) but what I'm trying to say is that it did 1080p before anyone knew what lines and resolution was. It still looks good to this day (with room darkening blinds) on the 133" screen I have.
A 1080p projector is the best way to go for a finished basement. Gives it a certain spark that can't be emulated by a plasma or LCD (save those for the family room) and coupled with the aforementioned tower speakers should give you an excellent home theater experience.
you want a home theater? then get theater equipment...like a REALLY BIG SCREEN!
a 50" plasma is nice, but it doesn't screen Home Theater
I'd spend the most money on your display. Depending on how big you want to go. $1500 would get you something pretty big and fairly nice. You can get a good Blu-Ray player (something like the Sony BDP-S470) that's under $200. Buy a Pioneer VSX-820-K for under $300 for your receiver. That leaves you $500-$700 to spend on speakers depending on what you paid for your display. You can get a pretty good set of speaker from EMP for that price.
Don't skimp on the sub either. That and the TV make the most difference. I spent 400 on an open box Polk dsw 400 and it was the most expensive item next to the TV. Totally worth it.
If you can completely darken your basement, a front projector is the way to go. You can spend as little as $1000 for the Optoma HD20 1080p model or a bit more for better contrast and black levels. Then you can either get a screen or some Screen Goo paint for one of the walls for up to 120 inches of cinematic goodness that a TV can't provide. Assuming you get the projector and screen for $1500. That leaves $1000 for decent sound...which can be had with the suggestions above or in other posts.
Hmm, any recommendations on speakers if I want to spend $400-600 on just the 5.1 speakers? I already have a receiver, and I already know what TV to get.
@Center I would look at what Klipsch or Polk has to offer in that price range for a full 5.1 setup. I believe Paradigm has some in that price range as well. Just depends on how high up the line you want to go from a specific manufacturer. Just avoid Bose, Samsung, or other HTiB. Invest in a high quality receiver that is very important.
@Center Klipsch - HD Theater 500 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System with Powered Subwoofer
Model: KLIPSCH HD
@nevrfails
Thanks for the recommendation. But what about the Klipsch HD 300? It's $200 cheaper on Amazon and has better ratings than the 500 (oddly, the 1,000 series is about $80 cheaper).
I'm currently using Logitech Z5500 for my "home theatre" so it won't make much to impress me soundwise.
Optima HD20 1080p Projector = $970
ONKYO HT-S3300 Home Theater in a Box - $330
I'd spend the remaining budget on good furniture and a neutral paint color...oh and some blinds for those windows, although with today's projectors you don't really need them, they're super bright.
If you are looking at a 5.1 system and TV for $2500 it’s going to be tough. A reasonable 1080p 50” or more plasma or LCD is going to be $2000 or more unless you are looking at Vizeo level quality. Same goes for surrounds figure $1,500-2000 for an average system. You aren’t even considering an AVR which will run you $400-$1500.
I’d recommend just putting the $2,500 towards a nice 3D capable TV and then getting a surround sound system and AVR when you can afford it.
@design1stcode2nd This was my issue when I was creating a home theater experience a few years ago (it could use some updating). I stressed over having to get everything all at once - which would have led to many compromises. My advice - purchase the best possible screen you can afford and worry about the rest when your budget can afford it
A Denon AVR-591 and some Klipsch HD 300 or HD 500's is a good start on the budget side of receivers and speakers.
Combined total is just at 700-800 bucks for the receiver and speakers, and they should be more than capable for a good budget system. They will sound amazing for the price, and leave you a good chunk of your budget for display and disc solution.
If you don't already have a disc playback solution, might I recommend the Oppo series of universal players?
Another note: For the price, the Denon 591 actually outpaces the Onkyo 508 in features.
this basically comes down to projector vs tv, which is basically down to is this room dark (good for films, immersion) or bright (good for shorter sessions, more open). I say go for immersion, get the projector, otherwise why spend so much money on it?
Go front projection if you can. Especially if this is in a basement, where room darkening is usually easy to accomplish. Echoing what others have said, an entry level 1080p projector is barely over $1000 these days. You might need to add $50 for a ceiling mount. Since you are in the process of finishing, running wires before putting up the drywall should be a cinch. And a 25 foot HDMI cable is less that $35 from numerous sources. (Monoprice being a prime source for inexpensive good quality cables). In fact, even if you don't go front projection, plan ahead and run cables or at least a low voltage conduit for the cables to a projector anyway. $200 - $300 for a nice big manual pull down screen, and your video is taken care of for $1500. Spend the rest of a decent HTIB. Done. If you don't have the space for a projector, then I recommend Panasonic plasma for the TV.
Samsung Series 7 46-inch LN46C750 1080p 3D LCD HDTV+
BD-C6900 Blu-ray Disc Player with 3D Starter Kit
+ Xbox 360 Elite for
1889$
ONKYO HT-S5300 7.1 HTIB
7.1 HOME THEATER SYSTEM W/ HD AUDIO/3D video
499$
2388$ for the whole system.if u find better set up for the money than this one?let me know!!
@besi
UGH just get a ps3 slim instead of xbox AND blueray
@fowenati
it comes with the package,dude!
i have two ps3..........
also u can get 5% cashback on bing from dell.
1795$ for the deal on dell. 2294$ for the whole deal.
u can add a nice remote.like the harmony one for 150$
2444$ u still have money for blu ray movie.
Go with one of the new Panny G25 plasmas. The 50" is like $1300. I like my Yamaha receiver and I paid >$400 for it. I think it's the v765. And the PSB Image line of speakers are an amazing price for the money. I saw some B-stock speakers for dirt cheap. Or go with the older stock and save even more. I love 'em. Try saturdayaudio.com for the speakers. They're in Chicago. I think they ship. I just happen to live locally.
I think you guys are missing the fact that he already has a BD player. 46" is too small for a home theatre. RPTVs are still cheap and awesome, and since you are finishing the room, might I suggest the in-wall speakers from yamaha? They are cheap from ebay and sound awesomw. Nhe NC310 center channel runs $200 on amazon and compliments well, then just find a sub. For receiver, go with the onkyo TX-SR608, so that when and if you make the jump to 3D, you are ready.
A projector will give you a much larger screen for your money. If you are unsure about projectors, get the 1080p Optima projector from Costco to try out. Costco's return policy will let you return the projector if you decide a projector is not for you. Also, Costco sometimes offers bundles that include the projector, screen, and ceiling mount (although you don't need these, you can setup a projector on a deep bookcase and paint the wall).
For audio, pick a system with 6-ohm or 8-ohm speakers and a powered subwoofer, that will give you the option of upgrading the components independently in the future. Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha are usually good choices. Avoid Samsung, Sony, and Bose - they offer the worst sound quality for your money. And ignore wattage specs, manufacturers hype up their numbers so they are as meaningless.
Here's what I'd do that will give you the most bang for your buck. I'd definately go with a projector, but keep in mind you are probably going to have to change the lamp every 1-2 years for $250, but for the true home theater experience, it is really the best way to go, otherwise you're just watching TV.
Projector: Optoma HD 20 $900.00
Screen: Screen Goo $250.00
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR608 $500.00
Speaker (LR & Surround): Dayton Dayton B652 $50.00
Speaker (Sub): Dayton CCS-33B $40.00
Sub Woofer: Dayton SUB-120 $160.00
Total $1,900.00
Speaker Upgrade for Music: Magnepan MMG $600
Yes, only $210 for speakers, but they are highly reviewed and you can easily spend $2500 on just a pair of speakers to get slightly better sound than what I am recommending here. Plus with what you save on the speakers, you can upgrade the electronics if you need a receiver with more features or by the Maggies too!
@(Unverified) *buy the Maggies
@Unverified User
A $40 sub? Is it made of cardboard? I bet you'd be better off with a HTiB.
@BryCivicSi Oops! That was the center channel! I'd be suspect of a $40 sub as well. Teaches me not to multitask....
@BryCivicSi
Given that many HTIB's include 5 speakers AND sub AND and AV receiver for 400-500 dollars I'd be willing to bet 40 bucks is about what they pay for each of those speakers anyway. This is generally why I avoid HTIB's. They might be cheap but certainly no bargain when you look at the lifespan of your system. If it seems too good to be true it probably is.
My advice?
Well it might not be what you want to hear but I'd say don't waste your money.
Spend what you have on the prime starter quality components and save for the rest.
Get a good TV (or in the room permits it then best of all is a projector).
Then a quality HD receiver.
Good front stage speakers are going to cost $500 each so if you have a stereo right now (and most will have) make do with those speakers until you can get the good stuff.
Satellite speakers are a little less important but again quality shows every time & you will want to get to a good standard there.
I really can't see much point in spending your hard earned (and hard saved) money on the 2nd rate when you're almost certainly only going to want to buy the good stuff later.
If HD audio etc means much to you then you just can't skimp, cheapo audio kit will never give you the benefit of the latest lossless audio (and beware of lights and other glitzy nonsense that would try and tell you otherwise - most cheap stuff might perform adequatelky for a short while and then their performance will deteriorate when driven hard).
If you don't count the $3,000 I spent for the Samsung 8500 series 55inch led lcd than,
Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K Reciver 500
HTD level 3 cabinet speakers 299 for pair
HTD level 3 center channel 199
HTD level 2 subwoofer 349
ps3 399 (fat boy)
xbox 360 elite (media center and games and stuff) 299
2 tiny sony speakers that came out of a Home theater in a box that someone gave me for the rear speakers 0
grand total $1950
if you include the tv than, well, sorry i guess!
@pringle757 Sorry I have to correct myself Grand total $2045 I missed some numbers somewhere!
@pringle757
So instead of helping the guy out you simply came to brag about your setup?
@BryCivicSi no no not at all, im just recommending the sound set up that I have, didn't mean to come across as a bragger, I just highly recommend the HTD speakers!
@pringle757
Maybe that's true but you didn't do a single thing for him seeing he doesn't need a 360 or PS3 and needs a TV and needs to fit within $2500. Fail
Just don't buy any Monster cables and avoid bestbuy and your money will go a lot farther! If you have a giant wall, I would perhaps choose an HD projector over an LCD or a Plasma TV. Projector or mid-range 50 inch 1080p Plasma will run about $1,000 if you shop around. If you want to go smaller, 40-46" Samsung LCD like the one I have will run a bout $800. I have a Samsung BD player I'm pretty happy with I believe the model is the BD-P1590. If you can check craigslist or ebay, you might be able to find some decent speakers. I lucked out, I have Paradigm speakers I got for practically nothing. Yamaha receiver about $150. After TV, receiver, BD player, you will be right around $1,500ish leaving you another roughly $700-1,000 to spend on pretty high quality speakers.
On another note, one thing you might be forgetting is furniture if you don't already have some in the basement. If you get a nice TV, speakers, etc, you will still need to invest in a place to sit!
Get a pair of Polk Audio M70's ($160ea) a Polk Audio CS2 ($125), a Polk Audio 12" 505 sub ($250) a pair of Mirage Nano Sats ($250) a Yamaha 665 AV receiver ($400). You get an awesome sound package and leaves you with $1400 for a nice display, say a 54" Panasonic or maybe a 58" Panasonic Plasma. Order all your wire and cables from monoprice.com. You'll end up with a kick ass home theater system that could only be matched by spending a whole lot more money. You might ask for a nice blu-ray player for around $180 for your birthday or Christmas, whichever comes first
For the TV there’s no question: spend 1250-1500 on a Panasonic Plasma you’ll be set. Plasmas are the best bargain for PQ per square inch out there and lucky for you they have really come down in price over the last two years. What you get for 1500 these days would have cost over 3000 a few years ago.
Then take the rest of your money (1000-1250) and apply it the surround sound system (spending as much on the speakers as possible). At this budget don’t waste your time on a 7.1 system (few discs, even blu-ray, have 8 discreet channels of sound anyway). If you must have an all in one solution get the top end 1K Onkyo HTIB but otherwise I’d skip most HTIB’s. Spend 250-400 on an entry level Onkyo, Yamaha or Denon receiver and the rest on speakers. This is the low end of separates so you could look at internet direct companies like Aperion, Orb, Energy and SVS (Aperion being myfavorite out of that list).
If you really want to build up a great system, you could just get your AVR and two nice tower speakers and a sub and slowly build out a 5.1 or 7.1 as you save up more money. A great sounding 2.1 system will outperform a cheap 5.1 or 7.1 system anyday so don;t be afraid to build it up over time.
I'm surprised none of you have asked the 2 most obvious questions: what is the size of the room? And how far will the seating be from the screen?
@Unverified User
So go ahead and ask....
High quality stereo speakers / receiver > Decent quality surround / receiver
I'm afraid I can't be of any help. I spent that much on speakers and amps alone. though my current 50" LG plasma was only an additional $1000 over that, but I'll be getting a projector when the theater room is ready, so that will be a couple grand there. Don't have a reciever, I feed directly from multichannel out on the htpc soundcard to amplifiers.
Personally, I don't think you will find much difference between a 300$ set of speakers and a $1000 set. In my exhaustive research to get the perfect speakers last year, I found $1500 to be a minimum, but you really need $2000 to make it worth it. Why spend ANY money on crap, when you could buy the good stuff for 3x the price. /my philosophy (seriously, if I can't afford the good, I just do without until I can afford to buy what I really want, I don't settle for "what I can get right now". That always seems like a waste of money to me.)
@LazarusDark
I also believe in saving up to buy stuff that will last for a decades (especially speakers) I spent 2,700 on my new speakers and AVR last fall.
But I'm realize that although I am able to afford such things now there was a time when those kinds of prices were simply out of the question but I still wanted to have the best sound I could get for my budget. For the last 15 years I have been extremely happy listening to my movies with a great stereo setup that cost a third as much and a 27" Sony TV that cost 450 dollars back in the nineties.
I would encourage this guy to get a nice Panasonic plasma and start with a good set of tower speakers and an entry level AVR. Then add the sub, center and rears as he can afford it.
On that low of a budget, do what I'm doing with same amount! WalMart, WalMart, WalMart!
Samsung 46" LED LCD w/Edge-lit ($1449)
- Has Wifi built-in w/net apps incl NetFlix.
- Edge-lit LED provides plenty of brightness in any light.
- A name brand you know for flat panels!
Samsung (or Visio) Sound Bar ($199)
- low cost solution to surround sound.
- add a wireless sub to the unit for $100 more.
Okay...so I know all if u are gonna slam me, but here's my reasoning. The description says a nice wall and two windows...$2500 budget. Blu-Ray is already in place.
It doesn't sound like we're working with a large space here...and basements are usually low ceiling sound booths cause your talking concrete block over wood/drywall acoustically speaking.
Spend the money on a nice flat panel and the sound bar will give plenty of surround as your basement walls will handle the rest:) plus, you do a receiver and all those speakers, it'll echo and you'll waste money not being able to turn it up as loud as you'd want.
If this were a $5k budget, might change it up a bit. But on a lower budget, likely a smaller space. Likely truth is if your budget is low, so is the space. Practicality is the word of the day;)
Here's my 2cents.
Ben Drawbaugh's (engadgetHD) blog post where he shows his home setup. http://bjdraw.com/2009/04/05/my-electronics-in-pictures/
www.audioholics.com has excellent reviews and information, even though they can get a bit technical.
Personally I bought the cheapest onkyo receiver that came with HD Master Audio, and an energy 5.1 speaker system. It was my first home theater so I wanted a budget system that still had good quality. $300 for the energy speakers, $500 for the Okyo receiver.
TVs. For 43inch and up, I'm a fan of Panasonic Plasmas.
Here's my 2cents.
Ben Drawbaugh's (engadgetHD) blog post where he shows his home setup. http://bjdraw.com/2009/04/05/my-electronics-in-pictures/
www.audioholics.com has excellent reviews and information, even though they can get a bit technical.
Personally I bought the cheapest onkyo receiver that came with HD Master Audio, and an energy 5.1 speaker system. It was my first home theater so I wanted a budget system that still had good quality. $300 for the energy speakers, $500 for the Okyo receiver.
TVs. For 42inch and up, I'm a fan of Panasonic Plasmas.
@MGDdrinker
Sorry didn't mean to double post.