Most important home theater tip?

[HomeTheaterGuy]

What's the most important thing people should know when building their home theater? 

[DLCPhoto]

That whatever budget they think will get the job done will likely double or triple by the time it's completed! 

[SRW1000]

That's such a broad question; I'm not sure it can be narrowed down to one thing.  I'd start with what kind of home theater really excites you.  One of the best ways to figure that out is by visiting other people's theaters.  If you're fortunate enough to have an enthusiast group near you, it's a great way to sample the different ways that people have taken the hobby.  Barring that, look for video tours on YouTube for ideas.  It's not the same as experiencing it in person but will give you a rough idea of your options.

Here's a rough stab at putting them into categories:

• The Movie Enthusiast:  Accuracy to film content is supreme.  The interior should be sparsely decorated and pitch black when the lights come down to minimize distractions.  Sound should be controlled both internally and externally.  The environment is geared to focus on the movie itself.  This is the most technical room, with a space dedicated for maximum performance
• The Theater Fan:  The space is designed to replicate the grand showcases of decades gone by.  It may be dominated by traditional reds and gold or a more striking choice of colors and accompaniments that invoke memories of movie palaces at their heyday.  Technical compromises may be necessary to fit the design
• The Sports Dude:  Watching live sports is as big of a factor for this person as movies.  The room may have brighter lighting, calling for a large screen TV rather than a projection set up.  Sports memorabilia is combined with comfy seating with plenty of space for holding plates of food and beverages.  This requires a smaller degree of technical skills to pull off
• The Casual Family Media Room:  This is a multipurpose room that can be used for movies, sports, and video games.  Seating can vary, with the emphasis being on comfort and relaxation.  Because of the many functions that this room serves, it will often be the most flexible for equipment, sometimes at the cost of accuracy.  A big screen TV would work with an optional pull-down screen for movies

There are hybrids of all of these and I'm sure some were missed but knowing what you're after and how you're going to use it are a key starting point.  Other things to consider are who's going to be using it, does it have to fit in an existing space, and what budget range are you considering (noting that it will likely increase, as DLCPhoto pointed out).

[David Vaughn]

I'd really love to have #1, but sadly, I have #4 due to the cost of adding on to my home. If I had decided to work a few more years versus retiring, I could have swung it financially. But to pay $100,000 for an addition of a theater isn't what I'd call a "wise" investment. Furthermore, when you add onto your house in CA, the cost of the addition is added on, so my property taxes would go up $1500 year one and be there +1% for the rest of time. I'd be better off moving

[SRW1000]

I'd really love to have #1, but sadly, I have #4 due to the cost of adding on to my home. If I had decided to work a few more years versus retiring, I could have swung it financially. But to pay $100,000 for an addition of a theater isn't what I'd call a "wise" investment. Furthermore, when you add onto your house in CA, the cost of the addition is added on, so my property taxes would go up $1500 year one and be there +1% for the rest of time. I'd be better off moving

Agreed.  I wouldn't look at #1 or #2 as any kind of practical investment, real estate wise.  They're purely for owner and guest enjoyment.  I've seen various stories over the years about people finding these houses and either hating the rooms, in which case they were repurposed for something else, or absolutely loving them, with the new owners even wanting to buy all of the equipment. 

But for those with the funds, they offer an escape like no other. 

[David Vaughn]

Agreed.  I wouldn't look at #1 or #2 as any kind of practical investment, real estate wise.  They're purely for owner and guest enjoyment.  I've seen various stories over the years about people finding these houses and either hating the rooms, in which case they were repurposed for something else, or absolutely loving them, with the new owners even wanting to buy all of the equipment. 

But for those with the funds, they offer an escape like no other.

If we ever move (doubtful at this point of our lives), this would be a requirement for a new home. It would have to have a room big enough that I could build a dedicated space. Then again, my wife says we will only move over her dead body and she has way more longevity in her family versus mine!

[bmoney]

Diminishing returns starts very early on. Don’t get caught up in upgrading constantly

[Paul Heroy]

One of the biggest tips is something I learned long ago: don't ignore the interface. If you can't use it, it doesn't matter how awesome the gear is. That's why I still hang on to my Harmony remotes for dear life - they make it so much easier to use, even for me let alone dear wifey. 

[AVSToeJo]

What's the most important thing people should know when building their home theater?

That the best component is not always the expensive one.

[AVSToeJo]

That whatever budget they think will get the job done will likely double or triple by the time it's completed!

"Completed?" Is that even possible?

[bmoney]

also dont buy into snake oil. wires are wires

[AVSToeJo]

One of the biggest tips is something I learned long ago: don't ignore the interface. If you can't use it, it doesn't matter how awesome the gear is. That's why I still hang on to my Harmony remotes for dear life - they make it so much easier to use, even for me let alone dear wifey.

That is so true. I will use that. Thanks

[Paul Heroy]

also dont buy into snake oil. wires are wires

I had a chat yesterday with the guy that used to run the Krell service department and now runs a shop servicing vintage gear. That was one of the things that he just offered up unprompted. He also said something else that people tend to forget - "different" doesn't necessarily mean "better". 

I've never bought into it either. Use good quality, low gauge wire with good connectors, put together well, and that doesn't cost a ton.