4 Comments

1. 

   No such thing as “the best” — the sky is the limit for price. The trick is to get performance for a reasonable cost. In general, for a top end home theater you want:
   - Suitable room (with light control to ensure dark viewing conditions, good acoustic characteristics)
   - 1080p video display (I recommend a projector and 100″+ screen)
   - Blu-ray player (and disks) to allow highest quality source material
   - A good SACD/DVD-A player if you have HD audio disks
   - A/V receiver or separate preamp/amp/tuner if your are a purist (with HDMI input to handle HD audio formats, 7.2 (minimum 5.1) sound, decoding of HD audio formats (e.g. Dolby Master HD, DTS Master HD)
   - Good surround sound speaker setup with at least one subwoofer.

   In general, you can’t go too far wrong with equipment from name brand manufacturers such as Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, etc for receivers, Klipsch, Distinctive Audio, Yamaha, B&W, Paradigm, Boston, Polk, etc. for speakers, and Pioneer, Sharp, Sony, JVC, Epson, etc for displays. BUT, there are many other good (and in some cases better) brands. Just avoid Bose.

   Onkyo and Yamaha arguably make some of the best all in one systems (Called a “Home Theater in a Box”) which at an introductory level will give the best bang for the buck.

   In terms of price you can get a reasonable HT for about $3000 … but can easily spend over $20K, and some dedicated HT setups cost in the $200K+ range.

   Comment by agb90spruce — October 22, 2006 @ 11:35 am

2. 

   The best home theater is different for everyone. What works for me may not work for you. Add to this the fact that there are so many products at so many different price points. Top-notch audio/video home theater systems can run over $20,000. But you can build a decent mid-tier system from the ground up for $2,500-$3,000. For that you’d need a TV (46″+), a receiver, a 5.1 speaker set, a Blu-ray player and all of the connector cables.

   Comment by Peter D — October 23, 2006 @ 5:45 pm

3. 

   How much do you want to pay. If you’re willing to pay atleast $30,000 then you can have the best home theater. This is how you get $30,000
   belkin avu1500 power console: $700 at amazon.com
   Mirage speakers omd-28: $2,000 EACH vanns.com
   denon AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI: $15,000 amazon
   JBL S1S-EX subwoofer: $2,000
   sony VPL-VW200 projector: $15,000 at their website
   sony ps3 blu-ray player: $400 amazon.com
   Monster cables: atleast $300 best buy

   As you can see from these prices, I doubt that you will be able to get the best home theater (and this isn’t even the best)

   Comment by dragons225 — October 26, 2006 @ 3:03 pm

4. 

   Mine.

   Because the video system is properly calibrated.

   The equipment is modest but name brand with good reviews.

   My HD sources are Dish HD and BluRay and HD-DVD.

   The speakers are level adjusted.

   I have a good subwoofer properly placed.

   I have a good Harmony Logitech remote that fires up everything with 1 button press.

   Comment by Grumpy Mac — October 27, 2006 @ 2:12 pm

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