Update....

For those interested the last 7 to 10 days have been spent in dicsussions with both the designer and my local integrator with the end result being that we have managed to shave a significant amount off of the original estimate...for those that do not remember the original estimate was 200% of the communicated budget with the most recent estimate being 133% of the communicated budget which, while more expensive that initially desired, is within range...

The principal savings come from the following:

1. Changing the finishings in the room but doing so in a fashion such that should their be a desire and funds to allow the finishing can be brought back up to their initial level. Examples include i) removal of the "bar table" and stools which were to act as a third row of seats ii) removal of the wood columns and sconces from the side and back walls (not a big sconce fan in any event) iii) replacing wrapping the room with an acoustic fabric with well nothing iv) the removal of a sound proof door and its replacement with a solid wood door (this is a $3,000 savings)...

A little more on iii) above is that initially the acoustic panels were to covered / wrapped with a framing system that would hold the stretch acoustic fabric...the current proposal which saves huge dollars is to use EQUALLY EFFECTIVE AND AESTHETICALLY PLEASING acosutic panels with no wrapping...this savings resulting from this approach is in the order of $20,000 to $30,000. And yes, I got multiple quotes for the room wrapping and it is a huge cost!


2. Changing the equipment in the room. Examples of which include the replacement of 9 smaller subs with two large subs for a total of 4 large subs, the replacement of non-comercial amplifiers with comercial amplifiers to drive the remaining subs (not an issue in terms of noise as there is a separate sound isolated equipment room), etc...

Now the interesting thing about all of these changes is that I am told that they will result in no compromise of either the audio quality or the video quality so basically I get i) the same quality room in terms of audio and video ii) the ability to better finish / improve the rooms aesthetics should I so decide down the road and iii) the extra cash in the bank...all in all, not bad...

The one issue that remains is the projector as my current projector -- Marantz VP-11S2 -- which I very much like does not have sufficient brightness given the screen size and throw distance...the projector which I am leaning towards is a JVC RS-15 (i.e. no need for the video adjustments inthe RS-25 as I have a Lumagen RadianceXE) but:

1. This projector is "one to avoid" per an e-mail with the designer (that said, I do have a telecon later today to undersatnd why); and

2. The projectors that are being recommended are all lamp based and fairly costly (i.e. Runco VX300d Ultra, Sim2 Lumis Host, etc.) which has me somewhat concerned because a large projector expenditure with a) LED with more lumens around ther corner (okay, perhaps 2 years away), b) 3D viewing around the corner (although I do hate the thought of wearing glasses) and c) 4K projectors at an afordable price within the next 2 to 3 years

With that I am unclear as to which way to go between perhaps simply compromising (at least in the designer's eyes) with a JVC (or other simialr price point projector) for the next 2 years or spending the extra money on one of the projectors they are recommending.

Would appreciate thoughts about the projector direction as well as any and all commentary about the "design/room" changes to get back / closer to the original budget...

Thanks in advance...

Audio: Triad Monitor Golds, Surround Golds, Silver Subwoofers; Procella P-18 Subwoofer; QSC DCA 16622s, 1644, 3422, BASIS 922uz; ADA MACH IV B
Other: APC S-15s; Crestron
Sources and Video: Ran out of characters .....................