Home Theater Suggestions for 21 x 17 - 20L budget

[krishpiscean]

• Dedicated 21 X 17 space on third floor - Current condition - under construction
• Preferred budget - 20L but can extend to 25L in staged manner
• Looking for Dolby Atmos setup - 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 (not sure how much 7.1.4 differs on 7.1.2)
• Currently in US but setup in India, so can source goods from US but prefer to buy in India/Singapore

Pls suggest/advice on how/what I can plan on my budget

• How much of my budget should i spend on speakers/acoustics/seating/wiring
• How do I select speakers for room size
• Suggest speakers/Amp combinations

 

[liverpool_for_life]

• How much of my budget should i spend on speakers/acoustics/seating/wiring
• How do I select speakers for room size
• Suggest speakers/Amp combinations

I see that your questions relate almost exclusively to audio. Speaking from personal experience, I'd suggest that you spend a fair bit of your time on screen/projector choices as well. Otherwise, you are likely to end up with an unbalanced HT setup. This coming from someone who didn't think I cared about video that much (Hint: I was wrong).

In fact, your potential pool of speaker choices goes up if you decide on an AT screen. Speakers (to use as your LCR) I'd recommend that you consider based on your budget and since you are in the US and can source them there:

1. JBL M2's
2. Seaton Catalyst 8C's (should work well in a room your size) or the 12C's if you really want to go for it
3. JTR Noesis

 

[liverpool_for_life]

[Content deleted]

 

[elangoas]

I have never made suggestion for such a great budget.. Anyways do consider this, if it interests you..

• Dedicated 21 X 17 space on third floor - Current condition - under construction
• Preferred budget - 20L but can extend to 25L in staged manner
• Looking for Dolby Atmos setup - 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 (not sure how much 7.1.4 differs on 7.1.2)

With such a fantastic budget, and a dedicated room, you should look to complete 9 (bed speaker). 4 (subwoofers). 6(Overheads), 9.4.6 set-up, capable with Denon AVC 8500.. There is no looking back to upgrade the set-up.. A 9 bed speaker set-up will have front wides in addition to the regular 7 speaker set-up in the bed layer..

Pls suggest/advice on how/what I can plan on my budget

Since your budget is sizeable, you can make a very goo deal with dealers in India..

Denon AVR x 8500 is 9.2.6 capable, which should cost approx 4 Lacs..Ideally use this as AVR as pre-amp..

Speakers - I would suggest 15 identical speakers all over the room if you can.. Assuming a single speaker is Rs 30,000, 15 speakers make that roughly 4.5 Lacs..Would suggest you to look at co-axial speakers..

Subwoofers - 4 identical subwoofers, approx 2 ~ 3 Lacs..

Power amplifiers - 5 channel power amplifier x 3 pc's (or) 7/8 channel power amplifier x 2 pc's = 2 Lacs..

Projector - UHD (4K) ones, should cost you abt 3 ~ 4 Lacs..

Screen - Since it is dedicated room, i would suggest DIY - Acoustic transparent screen, not because it is cheap (or) inexpensive, but because it will offer you the flexibility of placing the center speaker behind the screen at ear-level.. cost to build 150 ~ 180 Diagonal screen roughly 10K (or) more.. A fixed frame on one of the 17ft wall would be better..

Speaker wires / HDMI cables / subwoofer - would roughly cost you 20K (or) 25K max..

Seats / recliners - No idea on that, other members would chip in here..

Acoustics - Good to measure the response at your listening position and then approach the solution.. Once you measure the response, you would exactly know where the issue in the room is..

 

[edjamesx]

• Dedicated 21 X 17 space on third floor - Current condition - under construction
• Preferred budget - 20L but can extend to 25L in staged manner
• Looking for Dolby Atmos setup - 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 (not sure how much 7.1.4 differs on 7.1.2)
• Currently in US but setup in India, so can source goods from US but prefer to buy in India/Singapore

Pls suggest/advice on how/what I can plan on my budget

• How much of my budget should i spend on speakers/acoustics/seating/wiring
• How do I select speakers for room size
• Suggest speakers/Amp combinations

For 20 L to 25 lakhs budget , you can do professional home cinema installation which is done by dealers. You can go to them look at their demo setup and decide. This will simplify the process and they will have best matched components & they will do complete installation including screen , speaker setup , Room Acoustics treatment , HT room decoration , light setup ..etc.

In bangalore "Tasmai automation" deals with high end HT setup which costs more than 20 lakhs - they have showwroom in jeya nagar. I am not sure they have it at your place.

We often choose the components ourself as we are strict on budget

If you have to choose the components.

Go with ultra HD projector ( Sony /compaq ) - they have high end models ranging from 5 to 8 lakhs.

Choose high end AVR which may cost (2 to 2.5 lakhs) (drawbback with AVR is - they have limitted power to handle speakers.)

better
Go with dedicated AV processor ( may cost around 1 to 1.5 lakhs)
And power amplifier (with 300 watts rms out , 7.1 channel) - Emotiva have some model. (which may cost 2 to 2.5 lakhs)

Speakers - you have lot of options
Personaly i liked sonus faber Floorstanding speakers - beautiful sound (which may cost 3 lakhs)
And Sonus faber Center , surround speakers ( around 2 lakhs)

Go with 2 numbers of 12 "sub ( cost around 1.5 to 2 lakhs)

Spend some good amount on screen - max 1 lakh (going beyond may be waste of money )

Spend rest of the amount on room acoustics / room setup.

• Currently in US but setup in India, so can source goods from US but prefer to buy in India/Singapore

US will be cheaper .. You can source a good AVR /or AV processor. But you need to pay custom duty of 30% (i think) , you may show it as used one and may bargain to indian customs. Still it will be cheaper than buying from indis.
Warranty will be mostly void & most company rejects service in india if its sourced from foreign. (Onkyo clearly displays the message from their indian official website)

 

[ajuvignesh]

Also, don't forget to add buttkicker lfe and a low noise air-conditioning system to your setup

 

[Love4sound]

That is an amazing budget and you can definitely build a theater itself . I would strongly recommend separates rather then going for an avr. Subs you can look at svs, Rythmik and Rel. Speakers you have a variety of models to choose from in that budget. You will have to audition. For separates you can consider Marantz AV8802A, CX-A5200 or if deciding to go with avr denon 8500, Marantz 8012. waiting eagerly for you to complete your HT and share the pics

 

[arunkvivek]

I would dream of in-wall speakers from M&K, sunfire pre-pro setups, bass-shakers, badass subwoofers for that budget!!! Professional help is what I would suggest.

 

[bornfi]

How did you arrive at this budget? Don't mind but I am just trying to assess the mindset because on internet it becomes very difficult to find out as to how much one is familiar with this hobby and what one wants. The budget of 20L is good but you can choose a path wherein this too will be less and you will end up not liking it or if you are lucky, you may end up spending way less and still liking your setup. So, a little bit about yourself and your taste would greatly help us all helping you, I think.

 

[Love4sound]

I would dream of in-wall speakers from M&K, sunfire pre-pro setups, bass-shakers, badass subwoofers for that budget!!! Professional help is what I would suggest.

Yes for that budget you can definitely get help from top professionals who will take care of the complete set up which includes the Avr, Amps installation of speakers, room treatment, automation etc. From us you can bring high quality Hdmi, speaker and sub cables for a reasonable price compared to indian pricing

 

[rpmahale]

For such a healthy budget you must contact AV specialist/consultant firm who have a good experience of building great home theater system. It's not about the just components but dedicated power line, power conditioner, room acoustics, AV designing, installation, calibration and after sale service. Earlier one of the FM has received Rs. 16 Lakh estimate from Avanue sound, Mumbai with some of the great components available in India. What hi-fi 2019, show going to happen from 01 march to 03 march 2019 at St. Regis, Mumbai. India's best AV specialist and consulting firms will be available under one roof. You may finalize your hunt in a day or two with great discounts and live auditions. Best opportunity need not to be miss in your case.

Best of luck for a great home theater system hunt......

 

[krishpiscean]

1. JBL M2's
2. Seaton Catalyst 8C's (should work well in a room your size) or the 12C's if you really want to go for it
3. JTR Noesis

thank you for the suggestion, would consider them.

I'm planning to purchase speakers in India considering the weight & long term warranty.
AVR/Power AMP/Projector/Source/ would get it from US.

Also i'm based out of Hyderabad so need to find dealer/showroom setups to have a proper demo of the above speakers.

 

[krishpiscean]

With such a fantastic budget, and a dedicated room, you should look to complete 9 (bed speaker). 4 (subwoofers). 6(Overheads), 9.4.6 set-up, capable with Denon AVC 8500..
Denon AVR x 8500 is 9.2.6 capable, which should cost approx 4 Lacs..Ideally use this as AVR as pre-amp..
Speakers - I would suggest 15 identical speakers all over the room if you can.. Assuming a single speaker is Rs 30,000, 15 speakers make that roughly 4.5 Lacs..Would suggest you to look at co-axial speakers..
Subwoofers - 4 identical subwoofers, approx 2 ~ 3 Lacs..
Power amplifiers - 5 channel power amplifier x 3 pc's (or) 7/8 channel power amplifier x 2 pc's = 2 Lacs..
Projector - UHD (4K) ones, should cost you abt 3 ~ 4 Lacs..

thank you for the suggestions.

I'm aiming for 9.2.6 setup but wondering if AVR would limit this setup. Denon 8500 has 13 channels or does it support 15 ?

Here is my spread - Pls advice

LCR - Purchase thru Hyd dealers - B&W/Monitor Audio/JBL/KEF/Klipsch... not of sure of other brands in Hyd -> 4-5L - Shouldn't cater more bucks for this ?
Overhead - In Ceiling Supporting speakers of LCR -> 6 * 35 = ~ 2L
Wide/Surround - In the wall or stands - supporting LCR -> 6*35 = ~ 2L
SW - No idea on these, pls suggest if 4 vs 2 in terms soundstage and budget - 2L
AVR/PA - Based on LCR - can source from USA - 4L
Projector - From USA - 2L

 

[krishpiscean]

In bangalore "Tasmai automation" deals with high end HT setup which costs more than 20 lakhs - they have showwroom in jeya nagar. I am not sure they have it at your place.

Speakers - you have lot of options
Personaly i liked sonus faber Floorstanding speakers - beautiful sound (which may cost 3 lakhs)
And Sonus faber Center , surround speakers ( around 2 lakhs)
Go with 2 numbers of 12 "sub ( cost around 1.5 to 2 lakhs)

thank you.

Tasmai is not in Hyd as google but heard a lot about Sonus Faber, will look for a demo.

 

[krishpiscean]

Also, don't forget to add buttkicker lfe and a low noise air-conditioning system to your setup

yes, going for centralized AC so believe it would be calmer.
What is this buttkicker lfe, googling confused me a bit.

 

[krishpiscean]

I would dream of in-wall speakers from M&K, sunfire pre-pro setups, bass-shakers, badass subwoofers for that budget!!! Professional help is what I would suggest.

yes, will seek professional help but want to do thorough research myself on what i can get/achieve.

M&K i believe are ducking expensive, not sure i can afford them for 9.2.6

 

[Love4sound]

Denon 8500 has 13 channels or does it support 15 ?
SW - No idea on these, pls suggest if 4 vs 2 in terms soundstage and budget - 2L

Denon 8500 is a 13 channel avr. As i have mentioned in the previous comment dont go for avr. Please go for separates. I have also mentioned the pre-amp models marantz AV8805 and yamaha CX-A5200

Since you have a budget of 2L for sub you can go for 4 but you will have to go for a midrange sub each at 50k. So IMO go for 2 high end subs that will cost you 1L each. For 1L you have good subs in SVS, XTZ and rythmick which will be easily available for demo as well

 

[MaSh]

Hi,

I am sure this would be a one time installation. Talk to ProFX in hyderabad. Let them visit the place while its under construction so that they can give you ideas on laying out concealed wiring for power and signal. They are located at Babu Ghoda Road, Somajiguda PRO FX. This will at the minimum give you a ballpark figure.

Regarding the components. Definitely Preamp + Power Amp setup. No AVRs. 2 Subs and the number of speakers you can afford. Look at inwall speakers. ProFX has Kef inwall speakers if I remember and they sounded amazing in their Bangalore demo room. However, you Must audition speakers, atleast those which are available in India, to know their signature.

Sounds like an interesting build, do keep us updated on the progress.

MaSh

 

[krishpiscean]

How did you arrive at this budget? Don't mind but I am just trying to assess the mindset because on internet it becomes very difficult to find out as to how much one is familiar with this hobby and what one wants. The budget of 20L is good but you can choose a path wherein this too will be less and you will end up not liking it or if you are lucky, you may end up spending way less and still liking your setup. So, a little bit about yourself and your taste would greatly help us all helping you, I think.

thank you for asking, no offense taken.

I have several 5.1 setups in living/drawing rooms which costed me 3-4L. These are not dedicated rooms so always went with small to medium bookshelves/satellites. These are without projectors/acoustics/recliners.
Now with a dedicated large room & based on my current setups & experience, i felt speakers itself would cost me minimum 8L to have 9.2.6 setup. Considering my affordability and other supporting gear needs for speakers, I felt 20L would be a good budget.

Correct me if my thought process has to be revised.

 

[sdurani]

not sure how much 7.1.4 differs on 7.1.2

2 speakers overhead allows you to hear left vs right movement. 4 speakers overhead lets you hear left vs right AND front vs back movement overhead. Noticeable difference, especially when sounds circle the room. 6 speakers overhead is an incremental improvement (not worth it if you have a single row of seats).

Suggest speakers/Amp combinations

Denon 8500 for a 9.1.4 layout. Since you're going to use subs to handle the bass, I would get 13 of the same bookshelf speaker to maximize consistency as sounds move around the room. No need to waste money on large floorstanders that will go down into the bass range that your subwoofers are already handling.