What would you get for a £5000 budget...

[PJ1200]

Guys, girls and Andrew (!) My father is in the process of investing in a cinema room. The new room is an extension on his current abode and will be used soley for watching television (mainly movies) and listening to music. He has (stupidly) asked for my advice, as well as going to Sevenoaks. They seem to offer pretty good, impartial advice, which so far comprises of the following: A Pioneer Plasma - PDP series. He's looking for a 50 inch tv, which I know is quite expensive - around £3k (for the 8XD) Monitor Audio Radius series. He has been recommended the R90 (x2) for the rears, R225s (x2) for the fronts, and the R250 for the centre. Add to this the R360 sub. For the Amp, he has been recommended the Onyko 605. For the source, they are being coy - largely due to the recent mag reviews on the BD players... At the moment, I'm keen on the BD30 - which should be good enough to portray BD pictures, but given my father's desire for muscial ability, will it be enough... should he hold fire on a BD player, use an existing dvd recorder he has, and wait?? He has been in and listened to the setup, and been impressed. I must say I am impressed with what Sevenoaks are suggesting, although I hope to go and listen at some point with him myself. However, I wonder what everyone else thinks of the above? Do the WHFSV team have any suggestions? My concern is the amp - maybe the 875 might be better (given his desire for musical ability)?? I would just appreciate people's opinion on spending c£5000 on a new 'purpose built' cinema room??? All opinions would be gratefully appreciated!

 

[Anonymous]

try the onk 875 if he's got the cash, i know if i had a cinema room id want thx. also if its a dedicated cinema room has he considered a projector
and screenyou could get a real big picture for the same money not sure on what models or makes to view though and how the picture would compare for the 3gs to the pioneer. as for the speaker package you could always just get the basic amount for 2.1 sound and just add the rest when the cash is there if it starts to get overbudget. thats the great thing about seperates you can always upgrade different things to suit your needs

 

[Andy Clough]

The Pioneer plasmas are superb, but as darkside suggests, a projector would be an even better bet and should be feasible within your budget. I'd also go for the Onkyo 875, but maybe with some even better speakers such as the Dali Ikon 6 package, depending on how big the room is.

 

[Andrew Everard]

FWIW, and not sure what the guy, girls and Andrew thing means...

I'd go for the system you suggested, but with the 875, and think long and hard about the source components. If it was me I'd stick with what I have now, and add a CD player such as the Marantz CD6002, and think either about a PS3 or hold fire until this year's Blu-ray player launches have played out. I have a feeling - and it's no more than that - there are better BD players on the way...

 

[PJPro]

There's guys, there's girls and then there's Andrew?

I'd go with the PS3, as suggested by Andrew. They're great value IMHO.

 

[PJ1200]

Thanks guys for your input. Andrew, sorry about the remark above, all said in jest!
Sounds like the 875 would be a good upgrade to think about, and possibly audition the Dali speakers.
I also think Andrew's point on holding fire on the sources and waiting might be the order of the day also!
I shall pass on your remarks - he'll be very pleased.
Thanks guys for all your advice.
PJ