It is wise to know first how much it will take to build and set up a home theater using a home theater cost calculator. Financing the price is one of the parts in planning a project. It will include audio, visual, furnishing and other things that you might add later, but it still depends on how much you are willing to spend. TGUC Financial can help you find a home theater installer as well as assist you with financing.
Managing your budget will help you spend money wisely and get the most out of it. Overspending in one area of your home theater will result in cost-cutting in other sections. This may affect the audio or visual quality and spoil the overall experience while watching.
Here are some factors that can affect the cost of setting up a home theater:
- Using what you have can reduce the overall cost that you might spend.
- Buying something you want or need to add, or upgrade what you already have.
- If you are going to start from scratch, it may cost more since all materials that are going to be used are new.
- Labor of qualified technicians.
A typical home theater includes:
- Viewing Device: LCD (LED/LCD), QLED, OLED TV, or Video Projector
- Media Device: DVD, Blue-ray, or Ultra HD–Blu-ray Disc Player
- Soundbar, Home Theater Receiver, or AV Preamp/Processor/Power Amp
- Loud surround sound speakers, if not choosing a soundbar as an option
- Cables, extension cords, and connectors: HDMI, RCA, VGA, or digital audio
- Surge protector or power management device (with or without battery backup)
Home Theater Cost Calculator
If you already have a TV, you can upgrade it into a home theater costing as little as $500. A simple home theater in a box setup can just be made with a set of black curtains to cover windows, or keep out any open source of light.
But if you’re one of those who have bigger plans and wants a more luxurious home theater, the national average is from $5000 to as much as $50,000.
Breaking down the Home Theater Cost Calculator
AV Receiver
An AV receiver will be the center hub and operations center of the home theater where all audio and visual signals will pass through. Simply put, this is where the speakers, media playing and viewing devices are plugged in. It allows easier switching between devices to control the volume and equalize settings. It is better to get the best yet most affordable speaker that is almost universally compatible with any device.
Costs:
- $149 to $200 (Budget-friendly);
- $200 to $500 (Mid-range);
- $500 to $2000+ (Premium).
TV: the center of the Home Theater Cost Calculator
You might already have your own TV, but would you consider getting an upgrade? There are numerous factors when it comes to choosing the right TV such as the size, specifications, resolution, etc. A typical home theater TV is not smaller than 50 inches or bigger than 80 to 85 inches. If you prefer bigger ones than this, consider switching up to a projector. As for the resolution, the basics include 1080 (HD), but since there are manufacturers that are already producing 8K, you should go for 4K.
Costs:
- $250 to $400 (basic 4K 50” TV);
- $800 to $1,500 (mid-range 4K 50” to 60” TV).
Projector
This option is optimal for a room that allows a screen size of at least 120 inches. When it comes to a home theater setup, a projector is better than a TV screen. Bigger is better, and an HD TV with a screen size that’s as big as a projection screen would cost several thousand dollars more.
Costs:
- $300 (Budget-friendly);
- $500 to $1,500 (Mid-range);
- $4,000 to $5,000 or more (Premium).
Screen
A screen not any bigger than the projector screen is important. It is recommended to get a screen not smaller than a 120-inch projector screen or just get the maximum size that can fit into the home theater. There are also factors in choosing the right screen in which the cost can vary such as the brightness, aspect ratio, materials it’s made of and whether it’s a fixed, pull-down or mechanical opening screen.
Costs:
- $30 to $100 (Budget-friendly)
- $150 to $500 (Mid-range)
- $1,000 to $4,000 (Premium)
Surround Sound System / Speakers
Aside from a projector, surround sound is one of the parts that make a home theater feel like a real movie theater. As with all other components of a home theater setup, systems also massively vary in price depending on factors such as setup, output, and brand.
Costs:
- $100 (Budget-friendly but not highly recommended as sound will appear tinny, unbalanced and cheap)
- $200 – $500 (Mid-range)
- $5,000 to $8,000 (Premium)
Theater Seats
Seating is one of the most important parts of a theater. Who wants to sit through a movie marathon with an uncomfortable chair? However, the number and size of seats will still be very dependent on the size of your home theater and specific needs.
Costs:
- $150 – $300 per chair (Budget-friendly)
- $750 (Mid-range)
- $1,000 per chair (High-end)
Media Player
A Blu-ray player is one of the most affordable options. It has good quality audio and visuals, usually 4K. There are also some with built-in wifi, while premium ones can play 4K and 3D. Nowadays, almost all models fit since they already include 4K technology.
Costs:
- $200+ (Budget-friendly)
- Not higher than $500 (Mid-range)
- $800 (Premium)
Lighting
Too much light spoils the ambiance of a home theater especially if you use a projecting screen. However theaters still need even a little bit of lighting. It would be much easier to control the lighting if it is installed with a dimmer switch and is operated via remote control.
Cost:
- No more than $100 (light bulbs included)
Wiring
It is important that your home theater’s wiring is set up to withstand enough load and be at least 12 or 14 gauge. There are different types of wires and cables that can be used and all differ in quality.
Costs:
- Around $100 per 100 feet (in general)
- $50+ (high quality)
- No more than $25 per feet (Copper Wire)
- Around $200 per yard (Silver Wire)
Carpets and Furnishings: Also Part of the Home Theater Cost Calculator
Carpets play an important role in preventing echoes in the theater because sound waves bounce back from hard surfaces. It is ideal to put carpets not only on the floor but also on the walls to get the best experience through excellent audio and visual conditions. Thermal curtains and blinds block out unwanted daylight, they increase the overall cost of the home theater setup but are optional.
Cost:
- $2,500 (price may decrease with other soundproofing methods)
Remote
You can have the whole home theatre operated through a universal remote control. This way you won’t have to stand, walk from place to place, and manually operate devices in your home theatre, but this is still optional.
Cost:
- Around $120
Soundproofing
The cost varies depending on the room size, material used, and how much work should be done, especially if you’ll be seeking help from a professional. Materials may not be that expensive but adding more work, such as decoupling and damping, can increase the overall cost.
Cost:
- Ranging from $500 to $2,000
TGUC Financial and Your Home Theater Cost Calculator
TGUC Financial can help you find a home theater installer as well as assist you with financing. Contact us today.
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