Moderators Youthman Posted August 7, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2014 What part of the install is beyond your ability? As Scrappy mentioned, maybe you can hire guys to do some but DIY the rest. When I first considered my HT, I got a quote from a local AV company and was blown away at the quote I received. I started a build thread in the AVS forum with LOTS of questions and with a lot of advice, I designed and built my room with the help of 3 friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Mostly it's the construction, but also the automation and calibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ugh, these installers are frustrating. So reluctant to actually work with what the customer wants. I had pretty much decided to go with a guy after meeting with pretty much all of them around here. I told him the equipment I was looking to go with based on the features I want in my theater. I am perfectly willing to go through him to get the equipment he carries, but I am not goimg to get something if it doesn't meet my standards. He actually said this: "It seems as if you are trying to combine AVS/DIY with contracting a A/V specialist. I am very wary of these types of projects, mostly due to the overwhelming amount of "bad" or "poor" information and misleading ideas, concepts and protocols. If you prefer to approach your project as a DIY, it might be better for you to use another contractor. Trying to manage, design, integrate and program such a project is very difficult as it is; then throw in DIY variables/directions will just complicate the project even more. I have been down this road more than once, and prefer not to travel it again. " I can understand reluctance to work with people who think they're an expert in everything, but I just want to have input into the main equipment, and I would defer to his expertise for design, setup, and installation. I don't think it is too much to ask to work with the equipment I select as long as it is capable of functioning together. What would he say to someone who called up and said, "Hey, I have this projector, screen, and speakers, can you build me a home theater?" He just wants to sell you the gear he gets and make a ton off it. If he won't let you pick the stuff then wave goodbye. Your the costumer and you get it your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) Mostly it's the construction, but also the automation and calibration.i would start a build thread. The construction should be the easiest to find someone for. The automation thing can be found but may be a bit harder. Those two guys I recommended would prolly know someone. And the calibration is real easy. Even if you did audyssey pro I'm pretty sure you can fork over a grand or so and someone will fly to your house from Avs and calibrate for you. Think I remember reading that somewhere anyways. Edited August 7, 2014 by Scrappydue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Yeah, I've thought about going out and finding separate contractors for the construction and electrical, etc., but really wanted the convenience of only having to deal with one person to handle it all. I'm ready to get things moving on it so it gets done sooner rather than later, and with work and school, I don't have the free time to keep devoting to finding people to work with...or doing it myself. I sent the guy an e-mail, explaining my specific reasons for what I want, and told him I was more than willing to go through him for things he is a dealer for. He's actually a dealer for Klipsch too, but he keeps pushing the TruAudio. I guess he gets a bigger margin with those, or maybe they're easier to work with. Who knows. We'll see what he says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted August 7, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2014 Never heard of TruAudio speakers. They don't look very nice. Looks like their focus is in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. I cannot see how ANY of their speakers can even come close to the performance of the THX Ultra2's. I guess he gets a bigger margin with those This would be my guess maybe they're easier to work with Speakers are speakers....they all hook up the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Never heard of TruAudio speakers. They don't look very nice. Looks like their focus is in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. I cannot see how ANY of their speakers can even come close to the performance of the THX Ultra2's. I have only heard about them from him and another installer. There is very little information out there about them, and very little reviews on the internet. I did hear a set at another local installer's place and wasn't overly impressed. Of course that guy was a mess and was too busy trying to show off his stupid D-Box seats that I can't really say I paid them much attention. This would be my guess I have to assume this is the case. One other installer told me they were cheap China crap. Makes sense. Speakers are speakers....they all hook up the same way. Sorry, I meant the company. I had found some forum of custom installers when I was trying to research them and some of them made comments about how good TruAudio was to work with. I would imagine they treat their dealers pretty good if they are asking them to push overpriced speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckAb3 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 When we upgraded all the HT electronics about 2 years ago, I did use a young guy in the Denver area to help and insure all the connections and settings were right, and to wall-mount the new Samsung. (He has a thriving little business going). I'm not very technical or very patient. On the other hand, and since I do know something about good sound, I researched and handpicked all the new components. The Klipsch speakers remained 'as is' with the addition of a new sub. I'd never let a contractor dictate equipment choices for me, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Normally the bid process is like the honeymoon. The contractor is generally on his best behavior to get the job. You're currently seeing the BEST SIDE of him. Don't expect things to improve or his attitude to get better once you sign on the dotted line. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted August 7, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2014 Sound advice Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ugh. I just went to True Audio's web site. In walls, in ceilings and sound bars. These products are geared toward customers who are more interested in aesthetics than performance. You might as well throw an Acoustimass system in there and call it a day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted August 7, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ugh. I just went to True Audio's web site. In walls, in ceilings and sound bars. Yep, that's what I saw too. They have maybe one pair of floorstanding speakers. Pretty sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Sound advice Carl. Thanks. No pun intended, right??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 The biggest baddest sub they offer is a sealed single 15 with a 500watt plate amp. They give no indication of max spl. I also couldn't find a price. You better get at least 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Tru audio = Tru crap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 That's my impression as well. I'm sure they sound great to people who haven't a clue about AV at all and just hire these installers to do basic stuff like wire a 2.0 system. I bet installers are used to customers who don't have a clue and are impressed by all the vast knowledge they have. I'm not one to spend $40k on a project without doing my due diligence to make sure I'm getting something that's what I want. Even if I am not going to be doing everything, I at least like to have a good idea about all that's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted August 7, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 7, 2014 I think you are going about it the right way. Do your homework, discover what YOU want and find an installer that is willing to work with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 I think you are going about it the right way. Do your homework, discover what YOU want and find an installer that is willing to work with you. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with any of the other installers really, and most of them don't really handle all the construction/design aspects either. This guy is CEDIA, and at least sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I kind of wish I had already bought the equipment before talking to any of them so they would just have to work with what I've got. Really the only 2 things we have differences on are the projector and speakers (and he's a Klipsch dealer - for all I know he can get me the same prices I could get elsewhere, and I'd be happy to buy from him in that case). Even if I got most of the equipment I was talking about, it'd still be a $25k+ project for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Really the only 2 things we have differences on are the projector and speakers Well as long as you agree on everything but the audio and video 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinicus Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 Really the only 2 things we have differences on are the projector and speakers Well as long as you agree on everything but the audio and video Haha, when you put it like that it does seem pretty significant, but the issue isn't over what will work.. With the projector, I simply want the one that has the feature I want, and with the audio, it's just brand preference...which I think the customer breaks the tie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.