Ask Engadget HD: Home theater on a $2,500 budget?

Keeping with our recent theme of more frugal home theater efforts, this week our question is similar to the pie in the sky dreams of a few weeks ago, but with a very down to earth monetary restriction. Our friend Thomas has space for a home theater setup, but not a lot of cash to use to fill it up. We'll let him tell you how it is:

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.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

[Doc8538 Posted Jun 6th 2010 9:26PM]

Here is what I would do. Projectors are great but often make regular TV viewing an extra challenge depending on the equipment and budget you are working with. That being said here is what I would do

TV – Panasonic TC-P46U1 – You can’t beat the black levels and colors on a Plasma - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_133P46U1/Panasonic-TC-P46U1.html?tp=36003. Cost $800

Blu-Ray Player – PlayStation 3 – This will be 3D ready this fall and the up conversion on DVD’s make them look like an HD movie. Cost $300

Receiver – Onkyo 508 – 3D ready – Def Tech speakers are efficient so this will be plenty to drive them. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXS508B/Onkyo-TX-SR508.html?tp=179 – Cost $350

Speakers - Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 – Great all around sound, better bass than what a Polk speaker can put out. Plus small enough to put on the wall next to a flat screen. http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_735PCIN6B/Definitive-Technology-ProCinema-600-Black.html?tp=184 – Cost $800

And you can’t forget about the cables. Hit up www.monoprice.com for that. They are about the 1/5 the cost of cables you can buy at Best Buy and the quality is oustanding. Cost about $100

Total - $ 2350

[Drake2005 Posted Jun 7th 2010 1:02PM]

Size of the room is a big factor. When most people talk about they want in an entertainment center they don't really look at their space measurements. Another thing would be ... How technologically enclined are you to install that system? or Do you have someone that can PROPERLY help you install it? Are other people going to be using your system or will your Wife or other family members will also use it?
I know to some of you this questions might be redundant but what if all he really wants to waching movies casually and never crank up the volume past 30.... Or what if he has a 80 year old father/grandfather that will use the system?
Sometimes is not just about how much you want to spent in your Home Theater but... What is it exactly you Need your home theater to do for you?
Ps Some wifes don't like large speakers or big subwoofer boxes...

[npradeepkumar Posted Jun 8th 2010 8:45AM]

So, I am looking for a set of speakers and subwoofer. I already have a receiver and a display. So many people here suggested that it is better to get 2 speakers for now and then expand later on as one can afford more. So, if I wanted to get some really good speakers worthwhile, where should I start looking as there seems to be so many choices out there. I assume that I should probably start with some exclusive audio video stores in my local area, but how do I find these. I tried googling, but I am not sure I found the right stores. Are there any suggestions or are there any chain stores that specialize in this audio video.

[SirMaster Posted Jun 8th 2010 11:52AM]

I recently built a home theater though my budget was a bit higher. Here is what I went with. It may help.

Mitsubishi HC3800 DLP 1080p Projector with extra bulb- $1200
Custom built screen: Wood frame, stapled canvas, paint - $50

Denon AVR-1910 Receiver - $370

Axiom M22 v2 front bookshelf - $450
Axiom M2 v2 rear bookshelf - $280
Axiom VP-100 v2 center - $240

Paradigm PDR-10 10" Sub - $300

Misc speakers and AV cables - $100

Grand total $2990

[cooterbrown Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:01PM]

Hey Guys -

First - Thank You! I appreciate all the answers. Contrary to my screen name - I am the Thomas that asked the question. I had been gone all weekend - then have had a heapload of issues trying to to register to comment. Thanks to Richard - we got it all worked out.

ANSWERS:

1 - "Theater" may be too specific of a term. And I really apologize for that. We are finishing the basement and when I was discussing it with a friend - he said I don't really want a proper theater as we plan on watching a lot of TV along with movies. He said a projector would not necessarily be good for that. And that I should probably get a Plasma.

2 - Which you guys can debate if you wish - the more I learn the better off I will be.

3 - The room is basically a "Z" shape - except the spine is straight. The top left of the Z will be a bar/fridge.

4 - The bottom of the Z will be a ping pong table/bathroom. It's almost perfectly positioned for a "theater" - but it would then render the are we want to use as sort of useless.

5 - The area we want to use is approximately 12'x12' in front of the bar area. It's a broad windowless wall 15' from the bar. The two small windows are on the wall to the left of the bar and tv wall.

6 - If anybody is the least bit still interested - I would be happy to post renderings online of the area in question. (thats a big - if anyone is interested)

Again - sorry I'm late to my own party. I really appreciate all then information everyone has taken the time to contribute.

Thomas

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 11th 2010 3:42PM]

TV: Panasonic - VIERA / 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV: $1079.00 - Best Buy

Speakers: SVS Sound 5.1 surround speaker system with SBS-02 mains and PB10-NSD SUB. $999.99 - SVS's website

Receiver: Onkyo Model: TX-SR608 - $499.98 - Best Buy

Close to $2500. Doesn't include shipping, taxes, cables, etc. but the TV and receiver can probably be found cheaper online. If he buys from Best Buy he would probably qualify for 18-36 months of no interest financing. This is a VERY good entry level system. The SVS PB10-NSD Sub is better than anything you can buy in the price range.

[thinkthis Posted Jun 11th 2010 8:19PM]

54" G25 $1540 on Amazon

[thinkthis Posted Jun 11th 2010 8:20PM]

@thinkthis That's the Panasonic G25.