Something amazing - what would you buy


I am putting in a home theater that I want to use for a music listening room too.  The goal is putting together something amazing.  I joined the forum because I've been looking for a good source of information whose livelihood doesn't depend on me buying what he/she sells. 

The list below (suggested by a local retailer and leading candidate to sell it to me) is just the equipment for the room and I'm looking for the Forum's insight on how they would amend it.  Only the first two items have been purchased.  Everything else is open to revision.  If you're looking for a number, the current budget is $150,000 for the equipment only.  Installation and setup costs are on top.  The only things I'm keeping from the current setup is an Apple 4k TV and the air in the room.  Everything else goes.  I have a 1Gb internet speed connection in the room if that is helpful.  

Rather than get into room configuration and its important role in the choice, assume that the list below is appropriate for the room.

Projector + Screen
• Sony VPLVW915ES Laser Projector mounted to a pre-wired position (back-ordered).
o https://www.sony.com/electronics/projector/vpl-vw915es/buy/vplvw915es
• Panamorph DCR-S2 Cinema Format Projector Conversion Lens (on hand)
o https://www.panamorph.com/
• Screen Innovations 130” Fixed Screen On Wall 2.35 widescreen format.
o https://www.screeninnovations.com/screen/zero-edge-pro/

B&W Speakers
• 800D3 Front Towers Qty 2
o https://www.bowerswilkins.com/home-audio/800-d3
• HTM1 Center Channel w/stand
o https://www.bowerswilkins.com/home-audio/htm1-d3
• CWM7.3S2 In Wall Surround Channels Qty 4
o https://www.bowerswilkins.com/custom-installation/in-wall-speakers
• CCM7.3S2 In-Ceiling Atmos Channels Qty 4
o https://www.bowerswilkins.com/custom-installation/in-ceiling-speakers
• DB2 Subwoofer Qty 2
o https://www.bowerswilkins.com/home-audio/subwoofers

Audio Equipment – McIntosh
• MX170 Processor
o https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/home-theater-processors/MX170
• MC462 Front Channel Amps
o https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MC462
• MC257 Center + Surrounds
o https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MC257
• MI254 Atmos Channels
o https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MI254
• MPC1500 Power Center
o https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/specialty-products/MPC1500

Universal Controller Savant + Video Source Kaleidescape 4k Player
https://www.savant.com/host
https://www.kaleidescape.com/wp-content/uploads/KaleidescapeStratoS_SpecSheet_2020.pdf

Thanks for your help,
txhometheater
Ag insider logo xs@2xtxhometheater

Showing 5 responses by willgolf

My daughter lives in Southlake right near Central Market.  I will admit I did check out theater room stores when I visited and felt that you really don't have that many local options for such a large city.  Raven Audio has an office in Dallas.  I almost purchased the RAven Speakers for my theater room.  I did hear them at James Connel's house ( one of the owners).  For run you may want to give him a call.  He may be able to put together an unique set up.  
Wow, nice budget and the potential is incredible.  I just completed my third theater room in 12 years.  My current room is 15' D x 20'W and seats six.  This is the smallest of all of the TR's that I built.  The  difference is that mine is a dedicated theater room, as I have a separate two channel listening room.  

Well, you hit a home run with the Projector choice.  I was going to buy that one also until I unfortunately became functionally blind a couple of months ago.  Therefore, I thought why spend that money if I can't see the detail and brightness of the picture.  Sp I opted for a way less Sony 695 version.  It is OK.  My screen is a 130" Severtson thin bezel bright white.  They are used in many movie theaters.

It is just my opinion but you lost me when you said B&W speakers.  I considered them in my second house but found the sound to be dull and uninspiring.  Even for two channel listening, I am not a fan of B&W...Again my personal preference.  I think you can do much better.  In my latest house I decided to give Tekton a try.  Eric, custom built me a 5.2.2 in wall system of Double Impact speakers including Atmos.  Having these giant speakers built into the wall works great for my situation and the subwoofers are humongous.  

Are you going to do In wall speakers?  If so, you may want to look at Focal, Legacy Silhouette, Wisdom or even a custom built Tekton. However, if you are going to do floor-standers, then you really need to broaden your search.  A friend of mine had an all Wilson Audio / McIntosh system and it was really good and high end.  He also had the high end Sony projector and the picture was close to OLED levels.  

I don't ever think you can go wrong with Mac equipment.  Solid equipment, good quality and decent resale.  It is especially good for a HT.  I think it is overpriced for a two channel system and it would not be my first, second or third choice.  

My system includes Control 4, same as my last theater room.  it controls the whole house including the garage and outdoor patio and pool speakers.  I had an OPPO 105D in my prior house that I never used so I opted to totally stream in this house.  

Are you leaning toward more two channel listening or movies and sports?  Have you thought about a combination of in wall and floor-standers?  That way you can get better front speakers for two channel listening.  You need a good power conditioner.  i have an Inakustic 3500 P.  Are you getting a DAC?  Music Server?

I love your budget.  You can buy a lot of great components.  My theater room did not cost anywhere nears what yours is but if you add the two channel portion it compares.  I just happen to love music more than TV / Movies / Sports.  You can see mine on willgolf's virtual system.  Good Luck and have fun.  Take your time picking out your speakers.


Now that we know a little bit more about you, my answer changes a little bit.  If you're 80% movies, tv, sports then your projector is spot on.  I said Mac has good equipment but given how you intend on using that room, you are totally wasting your money on Mac and i don't care how rich you may be.  The projector is so important in a theater room.  You definitely need acoustical paneling and bass traps.  
As other readers stated 90% of the sound comes from the left, right and center speakers.  You mentioned Martin Logan ----decent in wall speakers.  The best I have ever hear for in wall speakers are the Legacy Siljouette,  I say that because from a musical perspective they are outstanding.  Think about movies you are watching....you are not hearing piano chords, guitar frets, sax or cello instrumentation.  You are basically hearing a big tv with an occasional slam.  All of my theater room seating have bass amp modules in them so everytime there is a slam during a movie you feel the vibration in your chair.  
I actually do 50% music and 50% movies in my room.  The Tektons that Eric built for me ( all in wall except for the two subwoofers ) are musical and provide excellent movie theater sound.  You really don't need to spend that kind of money on a theater room of your size.  Again, you are not doing critical listening in a TR, unless you are talking two channel.  .
Find a you tube video of Legacy Silhouettes just to give you an idea on the sound.  Talk to Eric at Tekton and you can mention that he built an unique system for me.  His custom DI in wall system goes for around 8K and that included the sub amp.  Paradigm also has very good in wall systems.  

Man I wish I had your budget.  I would have the best of both worlds.  A world class two channel system that is separate and an awesome theater room system.  I don't know what kind of furniture you are going to put in but I have used 4seating.com for all of my theater rooms.  Two of them had 12 chairs and my current one has 6.  

Take your time and do more research.  Sticking with Best Buy is ok but there are so many other professional installers in every city who can helo you also.  



I am not a fan of perforated screens.  I don't care what screen makers say, I don't think you have as good of picture quality and sound quality if you are going to hide speakers behind a screen.  

I hope we are helping....love that you are going to at least consider Legacy Silhouettes.  If you call Bill Dudleson (sp?) at Legacy, he is the owner and he can help you.   You may find that you don't need a separate two channel system with those speakers.  

Where do you live?  I have travelled the country looking for speakers.  I hope you broaden your thinking on B&W.  
OMG those are massive.  I think you will be unbelievably happy with the choice and you save a ton of money.  I have a black wall on that side of my theater room so my DI in wall speakers are not obtrusive at all.  That will be a cool look.  I have grill for the speakers which makes them a little less intimidating also.  Yes, it took me awhile to get mine so keep following up.  The subs he built for me a massive also.  I think you can see my theater room on the virtual forum under willgolf if you want to get an idea.  Congrats!!!!