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How your home theater setup turns out mostly depends on the budget you have for it. Of course, having a ballpark figure of how much the overall setup generally cost helps and that is why we are here. However, before we get into that, let’s discuss what foundation you need for a home theater setup.

While a big screen HDTV can constitute as a home theater screen for some, for most movie and gaming enthusiasts it is a lot more than that. To have an actual home theater you can rave about, you need the following:

  • Display: this can be in the form of a projector and a screen or a big screen television.
  • Media player: nothing less than a Blu-Ray player will be sufficient.
  • Sound system: depending on the size of the room, a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system.
  • Proper seating: You want to bring the overall movie-going experience home so you need seats for that.
  • Accessories: this includes proper wires, lighting, and other products that will further enhance your movie or gaming experience.

With that said, we can now dissect each separate category for you to get a better understanding of how much it would really cost to build a home theater for yourself.

Display

The video display is probably one of the first things home theater enthusiasts spend on. As Joey said it once in a Friends episode: “No TV? What is your furniture pointed at?!”

One of the biggest question when it comes to display is, whether you should get a television or a projector? If you truly want the theater experience then projector is the way to go.

Projectors

One of the major benefits of using a projector is the size of the screen and how much easier it is on the eyes. Plus, you can easily get a projector today that has the same resolution as that of the most high-end television while doing so at a larger screen size.

However, you do generally have to be more careful with projectors because of their lamp life and what not. Keeping that in mind, we have some suggestions for projectors and screens along with high-end televisions for you to consider for your home theater setup.

Black Projector

Higher budget: Sony VPLVW285ES 4K HDR Home Theater Projector

Cost: Approximately $5,000

A projector that can produce full 4K resolution at up to 167 inches in screen size. You cannot go wrong with the Sony VPLVW285ES. It has a decent lamp life at 6,000 hours and will surely not make you miss going to the theater.

Optoma projector

Medium-range budget: Optoma UHD51A 4K UHD Projector

Cost: Approximately $1,700

The Optoma UHD51A is a smart projector that can easily be paired with Alexa. It further enhances your movie experience and that is on top of the 4K resolution that the projector produces. Definitely a projector you should give a try.

Black projector

Low budget: Optoma HD143X Home Theater Projector

Cost: Just under $500

If you want to watch movies at 1080p and are on a limited budget then look no further than the Optoma HD143X. It delivers crisp and clear picture and has 3D capabilities with 3,000 lumens.

Screens

The screen you pair with the projector is important. There are different types of screens; painted, retractable, fixed, and so on. However, when it comes to screens, you want to pay close attention to the material that they are made of.

You want a material that highlights the gain and color of the video. Most people go with a white screen and this is perfect for dark rooms. However, if you prefer to watch with some lights on and have lighter shades of color in the room, you may want to go with a slightly darker shade on the screen, like light grey.

Here are some screens we recommend for you to consider.

spectrum projector

Higher budget: Elite Screens Spectrum, 180-inch display

Cost: Approximately $900

If you have a high-end projector then you want to make sure you have a screen that compliments it. With a 180-inch diagonal screen, this screen is 3D and 4 and 8 K ready. It is also retractable and has a sleek, modern design.

silver ticket products on a television

Medium-range budget: Silver Ticket Products STT-169100 100-inch Projector Screen

Cost: Approximately $320

With an elegant, thin design the STT-169100 will compliment any home theater. It has a diagonal screen size of 100-inch and is 4K ready, making it the perfect option for anyone looking to bring the theater home.

projector of a beach

Low budget: Best Choice Products Manual Projector 119-inch

Cost: Under $60

This particular screen won’t blow you away in terms of color and doesn’t have 4K capabilities. However, it does serve the purpose if you have a HD projector as it provides you with a 119-inch screen and great picture quality.

Televisions

Television technology in the past two to three decades has evolved drastically. It has gone from black and white to color, and from there we have seen it evolve to HD and Ultra HD.

Televisions today with 4K technology are able to produce a life-like picture, giving you the impression as if you are there, which makes it a wonderful option for home theater especially since you can get television almost touching 100 inches in screen size now.

qled tv flowers

Higher budget: Samsung QN75Q9F 75-inches QLED 4K UHD 9 Series Smart TV

Cost: Just under $5,200

If you want the ultimate movie experience from a television then this is it. It has the Q Contrast EliteMax with anti-reflective screen and 4K technology that delivers premium picture. It is also a Smart TV so streaming movies from an online source is also an option.

Bridge lit up at night

Medium-range budget and Low budget: TCL 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED (65 inch and 55-inch model)

Cost: 65-inch model under $1,100 and 55-inch model under $650

If you want a budget-friendly television that delivers an exceptional picture with 4K capabilities then the TCL 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED is a great option. It comes with a 65-inch display which is perfect for those that have a decent budget for their screen and a 55-inch model for those with a lower budget.

Movie player

Like television, movie players have also evolved drastically. From VCRs, which are pretty much non-existent today, we are now on Blu-ray players which allow for the most clearest of pictures.

If you truly want the theater experience then Blu-ray is your only option as it has the capability to support 3D and 4K technology. DVD is old news now, you need the latest technology for your home theater to be relevant.

Black Stereo

Higher budget: OPPO UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player

Cost: Under $930

Equipped with Dolby Vision the OPPO UDP-203 produces high-quality video along with exceptional audio, which will truly enhance your home theater from both the audio and video aspect.

blu ray player

Medium-range budget: Yamaha AVENTAGE BD-A1060BL Disc Player

Cost: Under $500

The Yamaha AVENTAGE BD-A1060BL produces 4K UHD video and comes equipped with Wi-Fi which makes it a great option as a video player.

sound bar

Low budget: Samsung UBD-M9500/ZA 4K UHD Blu-ray Player

Cost: Under $320

You won’t miss out on much if you go for this budget-friendly video player as it has 4K capabilities and offers viewers a high-quality picture.

Sound system

The sound system you employ in your home theater depends on the size of the room. For smaller rooms, we would recommend a 5.1 surround system while for bigger rooms a 7.1 system should be a better option.

The main difference between the two is that 5.1 is 6 channels while a 7.1 is 8 channels. You have 2 additional speakers in a 7.1 surround system which give it exceptional audio range. That’s exactly why it is better suited for bigger rooms as compared to 5.1. However, if you truly want the best audio quality then a 7.1 system is your best bet, no matter the room size. You can also look into a 7.1 wireless surround system option if you don’t want to deal with wires and hookups.

Speaker setup

Higher budget: Klipsch RP-250F 7.1-Ch Reference Premiere Home Theater System with Onkyo TX-NR777 7.2-Ch Network AV Receiver

Cost: Under $2,500

If you are looking for the same quality of sound you experience at the theater then this bundle is your best option. It provides sound from every angle and will have you jumping with joy as you watch your favorite movies.

speaker

Medium-range budget: Onkyo SKS-HT993THX 7.1 Ch. THX Home Theater Speaker System

Cost: Under $700

The best option for a 7.1 surround system for those on a budget, the Onkyo SKS-HT993THX is THX certified so you can rest assured that it provides great audio.

speaker system setup

Low budget: Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System

Cost: Under $150

Yamaha has been known to produce quality speakers. If you are on a budget and want speakers that deliver amazing sound then this system is a great option. It won’t blow you away in terms of sound but will keep your ears satisfied as you watch movies in your home theater.

Seating

A home theater is incomplete without proper seating. The last thing you want is to recycle your old couches into your home theater. To get that theater experience, you want theater-like seating.

You want to be able to recline the seats back or just be able to lounge around as you watch your favorite movies. Style and comfort are important when it comes to home theater seating and we have some suggestions for you for seating to consider.

black turbo chaise lounge

Higher budget: Turbo XL700 Chaise

Cost: Under $1,500 for 2

The Turbo XL700 Chaise is the ultimate comfort seating for a home theater. It is so good that you will recommend it to your local theater. It comes with power recline and memory foam so you can easily relax as you watch your movie.

black charger silo recliners

Medium-range budget: Charger XS300

Cost: Under $800 for 2

The Charger XS300 provides great support for the whole body from your head down to your feet. It comes with a footrest that you can recline so you can keep your feet up as you relax with popcorn.

two blue and black theater chairs

Low budget: VIP-8015 Luxury Seating

Cost: Under $360 per seat

The VIP-8015 provides you with theater-like seating with a little extra comfort. You also have the option to have different types of fabrics on the seats. Which is why this is a wonderful option for those with a lower budget. 

Lighting

The lighting in your home theater is important – you want to make sure that the room is completely dark just like when you watch movies in the theater. However, at times you want to have the lights dimly lite and want the option to control them as per your need.

That is why lights with a dimmer are an important addition to a home theater, giving you complete control over the lighting.

high tech light switch

Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit

Cost: Under $60

The best solution for light dimming around the home, not just in your home theater. It comes with wireless capability and is also Alexa enabled so you can control the lights with your voice. You just need to make sure you pair it with LED bulbs that are dim ready.

LED Light bulbs

Philips LED Dimmable Light Bulb

Cost: Under $25 for 8 pack

This is the perfect light bulb pack for your home theater. It works well with dimmers and won’t put a dent in your budget at all.

Wiring

Wiring is important, to ensure that sound quality is top notch. A lot of home theater setups don’t pay heed to the type of wires used which completely distorts sound and at times video. You want to ensure you get high-quality wires that support the load that is bestowed upon them.

So when selecting wires, you want to make sure that they are a certain gauge, width. For home theater, you want either 12 or 14 gauge wires to get the best quality of sound.

copper wire in cases

Best Connections 12 gauge wire red and black 100 Ft. each

Cost: Under $23

These wires are a perfect fit for home theater application with a capacity of 6-80 Volt application. You won’t miss a sound with these and they are durable so you don’t have to worry about them once installed.

Carpeting

Most people are unaware how important carpeting is for a home theater. Both sound and video can reflect off walls and the floor. Ideally, you’d want to cover both and the best way to do it is with a thin carpet layer.

There’s a wide variety of options to choose from at SeatUp. At just $4.70 per square foot, you can easily carpet your floor and walls. We have different designs for you to choose from and you no longer have to worry about any type of deflection of video or sound from your walls or floor.

Remote

In a home theater, you have different devices that may need to be controlled from a distance, using yet another device. The last thing you want to do is fumble through numerous remotes to do this. That is why it is important to have a universal remote that allows you to control everything with just one remote.

remote connected to phone

Logitech Harmony Companion All in One Remote Control

Cost: Under $120

The Logitech Harmony Companion helps you make your home theater a lot smarter. You can easily control the different aspects of your home theater with the remote. Not only that, but you can also download the app on your phone which will let you control the home theater setup with your smartphone.

With that we complete our guide. You should now have a better understanding of what your budget should be for your home theater.

For even more help, here is a table with calculations for low, mid and high budget home theater build, based on a 800 sq feet home theater room.

home-theater-budget-table

We recommend focusing on the display and sound, if you truly want to spend more on something those two would be your best option. The others are just add-on options and sound and video is what truly will enhance your movie experience.