Home theater equipment

[Cheesebeef]

I need a new soundbar for my tv in my new home. Looking at possibly getting Sonos Arc Ultra. Anyone have any suggestions?

Did you try looking up your ass?











(posted while drunk and no animosity meant)

 

[Cheesebeef]

FYI. This is my TV on the fireplace. I don't want any ancillary equipment showing so I was thinking of hanging a sound bar under the TV as those basically look like part of the TV as fine stand out.

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That’s a sick set up, Joel.

 

[jf-08]

That’s a sick set up, Joel.

Whenever you are in town, you need to check out my view with a cocktail! Just moved to Fountain Hills.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

What project are you using now?

As for 150" UST, you sort of can with the MKII or PX3-pro. Caveats are that you need a light controlled room and not care about 3D. One of the guys calibrating the MKIIs has been playing with calibration for 150" screens and is saying that he has it going.

To be honest though, I wouldn't recommend going UST at this point for that big of a screen unless you either didn't have room for a long throw (my issue) or you have a older, lower end long throw and need to upgrade but don't want to hit JVC prices. The USTs have a much better price point.

I don't want to hit JVC prices, because I will likely never do that unless I win the lottery. I'm a cheap bastard and always doing a cost-benefit analysis on most large purchases I buy.

My room is completely light controlled, which is a plus, and I also don't care about 3D.

My throw distance is super fixed and I have it maxed out at what current (not UST) protectors can do for 150". (around 14')

I currently have an Epson 4040 that doesn't even support HDR; so I am looking for an upgrade. I'm not excited about shelling out 5k for that upgrade however.

I'm currently split at about 50% gaming, 50% TV/Movies at the moment, so low input lag is important to me. I'm seemingly stuck in no-man's-land at the moment.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

That’s a sick set up, Joel.

What he said, WTH.

 

[Devilmaycare]

FYI. This is my TV on the fireplace. I don't want any ancillary equipment showing so I was thinking of hanging a sound bar under the TV as those basically look like part of the TV as fine stand out.

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I just can't even with you anymore…



You'll most likely have to go to a soundbar with that setup and requirements. No ancillary equipment is tough even with a soundbar since they usually have surround speakers and a sub to them. I don't have a great knowledge of them off hand but I can give a research hand.

I could make that place rock though if we can have ancillary.

 

[Devilmaycare]

I don't want to hit JVC prices, because I will likely never do that unless I win the lottery. I'm a cheap bastard and always doing a cost-benefit analysis on most large purchases I buy.

My room is completely light controlled, which is a plus, and I also don't care about 3D.

My throw distance is super fixed and I have it maxed out at what current (not UST) protectors can do for 150". (around 14')

I currently have an Epson 4040 that doesn't even support HDR; so I am looking for an upgrade. I'm not excited about shelling out 5k for that upgrade however.

I'm currently split at about 50% gaming, 50% TV/Movies at the moment, so low input lag is important to me. I'm seemingly stuck in no-man's-land at the moment.

Yeah, your room's on the edge of long throw or not. Take a look at the Valerion projectors. Their new ones have had awesome buzz and fit your needs. 150" is a 12' throw with it. Something like it will probably end up being your best bet. The Max is a little pricey at $5k but the Pro2 at $2500 is a great projector and will be a huge upgrade for you.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Yeah, your room's on the edge of long throw or not. Take a look at the Valerion projectors. Their new ones have had awesome buzz and fit your needs. 150" is a 12' throw with it. Something like it will probably end up being your best bet. The Max is a little pricey at $5k but the Pro2 at $2500 is a great projector and will be a huge upgrade for you.

Valerion wasn't on my radar. I was looking up projectors every few months until about 6-9 months ago when I felt defeated. I'm really encouraged by Valeron so far.

I'll have to read the owner's thread on AVS. I'm curious about this projector's keystone.

Where are you seeing the Pro2 for $2500? The website has it at $2999 and the Pro for $2500

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm actually thinking about biting the bullet on that Valerion Max at $5k. It is a preorder, so I wonder if the price will go up like the Pros did. Hmm.

 

[Devilmaycare]

Valerion wasn't on my radar. I was looking up projectors every few months until about 6-9 months ago when I felt defeated. I'm really encouraged by Valeron so far.

I'll have to read the owner's thread on AVS. I'm curious about this projector's keystone.

Where are you seeing the Pro2 for $2500? The website has it at $2999 and the Pro for $2500

My bad, looks like it is $3k now. I thought it was the $2500 price point but I had it mixed up in my head. Glad I gave you a new option though. Valerion is the way I'd go right now if I could do a long throw and wasn't going up to the JVC price point. This latest gen of models are starting to get to the point too where the JVC premium might not be worth the difference.

I'll let you know if I see anything on cheaper pricing for either model. I wish I had known you had interest at the start of the year. Both Valerion and Nexigo had earlybird prices on their new units. It's how I picked up my MKII. I took the gamble on it.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

My bad, looks like it is $3k now. I thought it was the $2500 price point but I had it mixed up in my head. Glad I gave you a new option though. Valerion is the way I'd go right now if I could do a long throw and wasn't going up to the JVC price point. This latest gen of models are starting to get to the point too where the JVC premium might not be worth the difference.

I'll let you know if I see anything on cheaper pricing for either model. I wish I had known you had interest at the start of the year. Both Valerion and Nexigo had earlybird prices on their new units. It's how I picked up my MKII. I took the gamble on it.

Yeah, that part hurts a lot. If I can find the Max for closer to $4000-4500, I'd buy it instantly.

I'm wondering about the tariffs and if that is why the 4k to 5k jump happened.

 

[Devilmaycare]

Yeah, that part hurts a lot. If I can find the Max for closer to $4000-4500, I'd buy it instantly.

I'm wondering about the tariffs and if that is why the 4k to 5k jump happened.

I doubt it's tariff's yet. I know Nexigo hasn't adjusted prices for them because they fall under the same electronics exception that Apple, Samsung, etc. are under. I'd assume Valerion falls under it too.

I know Valerion did an early bird sale that might be a good chunk of the price changes. I didn't pay close attention to their pricing though since I knew it wouldn't work for me. What Nexigo did, and I think Valerion was similar, was that in December I put down a $50 deposit for first batch, early bird. Then when they opened up pre-sales they gave a presale discount to anyone ordering within the first couple of weeks. Those of use with the deposits got an additional $200 off ($150 + the deposit) off of that when we ordered. The deposit people also received the first batch of units with the other presale orders getting the 2nd batch.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I doubt it's tariff's yet. I know Nexigo hasn't adjusted prices for them because they fall under the same electronics exception that Apple, Samsung, etc. are under. I'd assume Valerion falls under it too.

I know Valerion did an early bird sale that might be a good chunk of the price changes. I didn't pay close attention to their pricing though since I knew it wouldn't work for me. What Nexigo did, and I think Valerion was similar, was that in December I put down a $50 deposit for first batch, early bird. Then when they opened up pre-sales they gave a presale discount to anyone ordering within the first couple of weeks. Those of use with the deposits got an additional $200 off ($150 + the deposit) off of that when we ordered. The deposit people also received the first batch of units with the other presale orders getting the 2nd batch.

What do you think of the chance for the price to go down? To drop 5k on the Max and the expected delivery isn't until August is a tough pill to swallow...

 

[Devilmaycare]

What do you think of the chance for the price to go down? To drop 5k on the Max and the expected delivery isn't until August is a tough pill to swallow...

Honestly I think there's more of a chance that the price goes up during that time frame than down. Pure speculation on my part though. My thinking is that they probably won't drop the price if they're sold through on units but it wouldn't surprise me if some level of tariff is imposed before August.

The other thing is that I think you can make them honor any price drop that happens. At worst you return the first order and then rebuy it. Also, they shouldn't be charging you for it right now. They should only be doing a CC auth and then will actually process it close to shipping. Generally items have to be shipped within 30 days of authorization.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Honestly I think there's more of a chance that the price goes up during that time frame than down. Pure speculation on my part though. My thinking is that they probably won't drop the price if they're sold through on units but it wouldn't surprise me if some level of tariff is imposed before August.

The other thing is that I think you can make them honor any price drop that happens. At worst you return the first order and then rebuy it. Also, they shouldn't be charging you for it right now. They should only be doing a CC auth and then will actually process it close to shipping. Generally items have to be shipped within 30 days of authorization.

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks,

 

[Shane]

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks,

Just make @Linderbee buy it

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Just make @Linderbee buy it

She has been telling me to buy one for a year. I apparently just missed the boat on these Valerion projectors. I'll likely buy the Max this week. What's another 5 grand between friends?

Thankfully I have been doing okay playing smaller stakes online poker the past couple of months and I'm up a couple/few grand, so that takes some of the sting off...

 

[Covert Rain]

Valerion wasn't on my radar. I was looking up projectors every few months until about 6-9 months ago when I felt defeated. I'm really encouraged by Valeron so far.

I'll have to read the owner's thread on AVS. I'm curious about this projector's keystone.

Where are you seeing the Pro2 for $2500? The website has it at $2999 and the Pro for $2500

I have felt that way for 2 YEARS. I have been wanting to upgrade for at least that long but there was very very little innovation IMO at the sweet spot of $2-3K. Just nothing IMO until the Px3 PRO at the price point they did with the features they included. Heck most manufactures are still hanging on to Pixel shift which if things had progressed likely wouldn't be a thing at this point unless you are talking 8K. It hasn't gone away but Epson going native 4K is a good indicator the shift if finally happening.

The industry is in a weird place at the moment. Wall panels are on the cusp of becoming a reality. Flat Panel TV sizes are scaling up to compete at better price points. Projectors are just in a weird place at this moment and IMO the writing is on the wall with emerging tech and flat panel TV seemingly determined to provide affordable larger screen sizes.

That's why I am thinking this might be my last foray into Projectors. You never know though. This industry sometimes turns like the titanic when it comes to getting things to the sweet spot in consumer pricing. If anything delays the transition that will be it.

 

[Mulli]

She has been telling me to buy one for a year. I apparently just missed the boat on these Valerion projectors. I'll likely buy the Max this week. What's another 5 grand between friends?

Thankfully I have been doing okay playing smaller stakes online poker the past couple of months and I'm up a couple/few grand, so that takes some of the sting off...

Seems like an overpay.

Haha jk jk

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I have felt that way for 2 YEARS. I have been wanting to upgrade for at least that long but there was very very little innovation IMO at the sweet spot of $2-3K. Just nothing IMO until the Px3 PRO at the price point they did with the features they included. Heck most manufactures are still hanging on to Pixel shift which if things had progressed likely wouldn't be a thing at this point unless you are talking 8K. It hasn't gone away but Epson going native 4K is a good indicator the shift if finally happening.

The industry is in a weird place at the moment. Wall panels are on the cusp of becoming a reality. Flat Panel TV sizes are scaling up to compete at better price points. Projectors are just in a weird place at this moment and IMO the writing is on the wall with emerging tech and flat panel TV seemingly determined to provide affordable larger screen sizes.

That's why I am thinking this might be my last foray into Projectors. You never know though. This industry sometimes turns like the titanic when it comes to getting things to the sweet spot in consumer pricing. If anything delays the transition that will be it.

I have been in that same sweet spot as you, price wise. I had some requirements that are necessary in order to upgrade.

1. 2.1HDMI with full 48Gbps bandwidth.
2. Low input lag.
3. Meets throw requirements. (obviously)
4. Both vertical and horizontal lens shift.
5. Native 4k.
6. Have amazing reviews. (lol)

Plus these were a bonus
1. Good built in OS.
2. Gigabit LAN.
3. Lens memory.
4. Preference to laser

Finding something that met all 6 of my requirements was impossible in the 2-3k range. Thankfully the Valerion projector meets all of these, including the bonus, although I had to go to the 5k model for the gigabit ethernet and vertical lens shift. I'm able to spend my 'fun money' that I've earned playing poker to subsidize.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

So I ended up buying the Max from Valerion's website. Their $50 off coupon for registering didn't work, so I emailed them and they sent me a $200 off instead.

Has anyone had to deal with any extended warranties from places like Squaretrade? I was hoping that since this is a laser projector, rated at 25k hours, that if I hit that within that 5 year time frame, I'd get the device replaced.

 

[Devilmaycare]

So I ended up buying the Max from Valerion's website. Their $50 off coupon for registering didn't work, so I emailed them and they sent me a $200 off instead.

Has anyone had to deal with any extended warranties from places like Squaretrade? I was hoping that since this is a laser projector, rated at 25k hours, that if I hit that within that 5 year time frame, I'd get the device replaced.

I've never dealt them before.

Congrats on the new projector. Getting the $200 off is nice.

 

[Covert Rain]

I have been in that same sweet spot as you, price wise. I had some requirements that are necessary in order to upgrade.

1. 2.1HDMI with full 48Gbps bandwidth.
2. Low input lag.
3. Meets throw requirements. (obviously)
4. Both vertical and horizontal lens shift.
5. Native 4k.
6. Have amazing reviews. (lol)

Plus these were a bonus
1. Good built in OS.
2. Gigabit LAN.
3. Lens memory.
4. Preference to laser

Finding something that met all 6 of my requirements was impossible in the 2-3k range. Thankfully the Valerion projector meets all of these, including the bonus, although I had to go to the 5k model for the gigabit ethernet and vertical lens shift. I'm able to spend my 'fun money' that I've earned playing poker to subsidize.

I almost spent 5K on a new one but at the end of the day, after I went to see several 5K projectors in person, none of them really stood out to me to spend the extra money in terms of picture quality. I can't even remember all the models I looked at. I didn't see a jump in picture quality until I hit the 10K-12K range. Glad you found something you like. The market is just rough to justify some of the prices out there. If I had found something I thought was head and shoulders above the rest I probably would have pulled the trigger.

 

[Hoop Head]

To bring the convo here, @Devilmaycare you mentioned having a projection setup and I'm curious of your take. I've seen some that look good but ultimately would you say you need to get a professional installation done to get your monies worth? If so, how does that compare to mid to top line tv units in terms of picture quality?

I don't mean Geek Squad either but someone who actually knows what they're doing. I could rant about the retail style tech force for a while. The odds of the same tech being employed by Geek Squad in 6 months from the time you use them is very low so it's best to find a guy who can be your electronics guy and their living is dependent on their reputation in the field.

 

[Devilmaycare]

To bring the convo here, @Devilmaycare you mentioned having a projection setup and I'm curious of your take. I've seen some that look good but ultimately would you say you need to get a professional installation done to get your monies worth? If so, how does that compare to mid to top line tv units in terms of picture quality?

I don't mean Geek Squad either but someone who actually knows what they're doing. I could rant about the retail style tech force for a while. The odds of the same tech being employed by Geek Squad in 6 months from the time you use them is very low so it's best to find a guy who can be your electronics guy and their living is dependent on their reputation in the field.

I don't think you need a professional install depending on your level of being willing to learn and play with settings. There's a lot of good resources, usually PJ specific that you can follow along with.

As for vs a TV, this isn't a simple question to answer. There's a lot of variables at play. First, you need the right room for a projector. You really want something that's light controlled. A great room set-up is not going to look good. The more light control you can do the better. Some of the newer types of screens help with that though. So for a bright open room, TV all the way.

If you can get light controlled though, the better projectors aren't beating OLED but they'll match or beat everything else. Plus you can go much larger. There's nothing TV wise over 100", at least for mortals. So it really comes down to size vs OLED level blacks. My projector after the latest firmware and settings tweaks are close enough to OLED that I'll take the larger size for the completely immersive experience.

BTW, one thing that goes for both is getting it calibrated correctly. That's something you can either pay someone to do that has the equipment or get it close by using some precanned settings and adjust with test patterns and the like.