It's easier than ever to build your own home theater! The challenge is to do it without breaking the bank. Surprisingly, a few simple tricks can make that happen.
Among the common mistakes in building a home theater is going over budget or over budgeting for the project. But by knowing which items you can skip, which ones you can reuse, and what budget to buy, you can save a few bucks without compromising the quality of your experience.
In this short guide, you'll learn how to build a home theater on the cheap.
Before you begin, this is the most important tip you'll need. Given the way technology is updated these days, you won't find the latest and future-proof in every category at the same time. So if you try to buy all the pieces together, you'll end up compromising yourself, and maybe you'll need an upgrade sooner than you thought.
Instead, buy the must-have components right now and get cheaper variants for everything else, or skip them altogether. Even for those important components, find out how long they'll last and spend accordingly.
We will advise you on some of these aspects in this article, but no matter what, do not buy everything at once. Increase your purchases so you can buy the most future-proof and value-for-money components at every stage.
Ideally, you need a TV that supports both 4K and HDR. While it will be a smart TV, it's fine if you don't like the operating system or the interface. Either way, you'll get a Blu-ray player or some kind of media center, which will do everything a smart TV does, and probably do it better.
See our recommendations for some of the best affordable 4K HDR TVs. The best affordable 4K HDR smart TVs you can buy. The best affordable 4K HDR smart TVs you can buy. It's not a gadget you update frequently, so you want something future-proof. So what do you get? Read More The size is up to you, but for a home theater setup, you'll largely be looking at at least 55 inches. Don't worry about the distance, as the general rule of thumb in a home theater is to go as big as you can.
Instead of TVs, you can also use a projector, but that adds to costs in the long run. Because a projector doesn't have a backlight, you'll have to spend on additional materials like blackout curtains and a projection screen like the Homegear 120HD.
Also, at the time of writing, good projectors with 4K resolution and HDR support are much more expensive than an equivalent size TV. And if you're looking to buy a big TV anyway, any reason to buy a projector has diminished anyway.
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Chances are you either have an old PC or laptop somewhere, or know someone who does. You can use that to build a great media center PC. It will be the most economical way to get a good home theater system..
Even if you have to add a few things, reusing your old PC will be cheaper and a more complete media drive than any other device you buy. Yes, even the Raspberry Pi. Although we are big fans, there are certain things that "Teatro en Casa Pi" cannot do.
The flexibility a proper computer gives you can't compare to what you'll get with something like a Roku or Chromecast Chromecast vs. Roku:Which is the best for you? Chromecast vs. Roku:Which is the best for you? There are many streaming media devices to choose from. In this article, we compare the heaviest hitters:Chromecast vs Roku. Read more . A PC can do all the things a streaming device can, but it doesn't work the other way around.
More importantly, a PC keeps your options open for the future. You could add a 4K Blu-ray drive or a better audio card. You can upgrade the processor or add a graphics card to make it a game console, etc.
If you don't have an old PC lying around, get the Sony UBP-X700. It's a fantastic 4K Blu-ray player, with support for all your favorite streaming services.
Sony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2018 Model) Sony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2018 Model) Buy Now On Amazon Too Low To Show
Don't buy speakers with the “bigger is better” philosophy. Speakers focus on how you set them up and the quality of the components they use.
You need to buy the right speakers for your room. If you have a small living room, a 9.1-channel setup is overkill. Depending on whether you will be placing your satellite speakers at the back or on the sides, you will need to choose speakers that offer good bipolar or dipole output.
That may seem like a lot of jargon, but the bottom line is that you need to buy what's right for you, which isn't necessarily the fancy 7.1 Bose speaker setup you saw at your friend's house.
A home theater system has a 5.1 setup (that is, five satellite speakers and a subwoofer). Before you buy anything, find out where you'll put each speaker, how the wiring will work, and other details. Once you've done that, buy the Monoprice 108247 surround sound system.
If you're building a new home theater and want to keep the cost down, this is a smart buy. Remember, you can always upgrade your speakers later.
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With every HTPC, you'll need a good remote to manage all the different devices connected to it. This requires a universal remote. The best is the Logitech Harmony 650, but if you want to save a few bucks, you have other options.
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If you have an old Android phone or tablet, you can turn it into a remote control for your PC. There are many apps on the Play Store that make it easy to set up all the devices on your Android device. The only problem would be if your Android doesn't have an infrared (IR) blaster.
Instead of repurposing your Android, you can also buy a cheap universal remote for just a few bucks.
Technology is just one part of your home theater experience. You'll also need a nice cabinet to put your gadgets in, a nice couch or recliner to watch in peace, and maybe a mini-fridge to brew cold beer. All those costs add up, so don't forget about them.
The good news is that this is an area where you will find a lot of giveaways or sales. Check out local property for sale listings, garage sales, and person-to-person online marketplaces. You will often find items in good condition for a low price.
You'll also save a lot of money if you regularly check the Craigslist Free Stuff section for your area.
The receiver is the most underrated and most important part of your home theater. In this aspect, although you can save some money, we recommend that you do not.
Think of the receiver as the processor of a PC, the engine of a car, or the hamburger patty of a hamburger. If you're wrong, everything is ruined. If you do it right, other compromises are bearable..
For most people, the best budget receiver is the Yamaha RX-V485.
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In our opinion, the screen, receiver, media player or PC, speakers, and universal remote control are must-haves in any home theater setup. But hey, that's what we unanimously agreed on. Some of us say a home theater is incomplete without a nice recliner or sofa, others say it's not a home theater if it doesn't support 3D.
While your initial cost will be relatively cheap, continue to update the room in small parts over time. Before You Know It, You Can Even Get The IMAX Experience In Your Living Room How To Get The IMAX Experience In Your Living Room (On A Budget) How To Get The IMAX Experience In Your Living Room (On A Budget) Why do people still go to theaters? Some argue it's for innovations like IMAX, but this is a moot point when you can get the IMAX experience at home on a budget. Read more.
