written by Mike Shea on 21 November 1999
Being known as a home theater hobbyist who has put a significant amount of resources into his own system, I am often asked by normal citizens how they can get into the world of home theater. Often they look at high end systems and are immediatly turned off by the huge price tags. There is also a misconception that you can get a well performing home theater system for $300. This is unfortunately not the case. This article will discuss the required features for a well performing home theater for a low cost. It will cut through the fuzzy marketing speak and the attitude rich audiophile snobbery to get into the realistic idea of building a good home theater without breaking the bank. Much like the Home Theater 101 article, I will cover each of the required components and point out exactly what features should be present and what can be thrown out with the glossy product ads. Because the focus of this article is home theater for cheap, I won't get into the higher end features one should look for if they are willing to spend the extra money. Here are the main things to look for in a cheap home theater.
Here we cut to the bottom line since it seems to be the first question people have. About the minimum someone could spend to build a good home theater system is about $1500. This includes a display (TV), a source (DVD Player), audio electronics (receiver) and speakers (mains, surrounds, center and sub). You may very well have some of these already available so this cost doesn't have to be spent all at once, but everyone I have talked to who has started building a home theater has ended up spending about this much money on their system over a period of 6 months to a year.
If you plan ahead, you will end up not wasting money upgrading components and instead build the system you always wanted.
The minimum screen size for a home theater display should be 27". A regular tube TV is still the way to go even though digital displays and projection TVs are becoming much more popular. This tube TV will run anywhere from $300 to $500 for a 27" screen. The only feature you should shop for when buying this TV is a component input (in addition to composite and s-video). This input is about 1/2 an inch in diameter with about five pins in the center. Make sure to ignore useless "cool" features such as picture in picture, digital tuners, digital comb filters (when did adding the word digital to everything from TV comb filters to headphones become so cool?), color correction features, lines of resolution and any other marketing ploy. The only real feature that has anything to do with a good home theater system is this component video input for your DVD player. Any extra money should be put into screen size.
If you have a few bucks more, you can get a true 50+ inch HDTV 16x9 widescreen display for around $1700. Its a bit more, but it is the biggest bang for the buck right now.
DVD is the only way to go. For $100 you can get an excellent DVD player and get the cleanest picture possible from a home prerecorded source. Once again, ignore all the useless features such as a built in AC3 decoder, 3D spatial sound matrix, and jog shuttle control. Don't spend more than $100 for a player and stick to brands like Sony or Panasonic. Any extra money should probably go towards your TV's screen size.
There are only two features that are really important for a good receiver and that is Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. Both of these sound decoding methods are what really add the theater like sound to your system. I am not going to get into the differences between the DD 5.1 and DTS except to say that having both gives you the most flexible system and can be purchased without any more expense than just Dolby Digital 5.1. You will continue to be bombarded with extra features and marketspeak to get you to pick one over another, but as long as it is DD 5.1 and DTS, you have all that you need.
Receivers from Sony, Onkyo and Yamaha can run around $300 to $400 and will give you exactly what you need for a decent audio system. Beyond the $700 mark you are paying for features that won't make near as much difference as a large screen would, drop any extra cash into your TV.
The speakers you choose will make the biggest difference in how your system sounds. The main concern here is getting a set of five speakers from the same manufacturer and same model. You need two main front speakers, a center speaker, a pair of surround speakers and a subwoofer. There are many excellent speaker systems from companies such as Atlantic Technologies, B&W Speakers, Definitive Technologies, Boston Acoustics and Energy Speakers. For more on subwoofers, see the Subwoofer Buyers Guide. Most speaker packages cost around $500 to $1000 for a full set. Home Theater Direct sells speaker packages from $150 to $1000 that are all a good value for the dollar.
The only requirement for interconnects is that they are large and shielded. If you can get 14 gauge wire for your speakers you are doing fine. For electronic interconnects, make sure they are shielded and not the flimsy cables that come with the system which are very sensitive to outside electrical disturbances. Depending on how you plan to set up your home theater, you may need stands for your front and or surround speakers. These can run about $70 a pair but are easy to make if you are relatively handy. A pair of phone stands from the local superstore can cost a bit less and do the same job. The top remote right now is the $20 Cinema 7 learning remote from One-for-All. This remote is renowned for it's ability to control even the most complex systems with hardly any faults.
The environment you watch your movies in is more important that the components themselves. If you have a constant stream of traffic, phone calls or other interruptions, you can't get lost in the movie no matter how much money you put into your system. Try to find a good time to relax without interruption and watch your favorite Michael Bay brainless thriller. The actual room configuration is the other key factor in setting up your system. Unfortunately the set up for a home theater is relatively rigid as this article on home theater setup from Dolby shows. Many crazy new age methods of room decor as well as room construction itself go against the square approach to a good home theater setup. Care needs to be made when compromising on the location of the display or speakers as the money you spent on quality electronics can be lost if proper placement isn't followed.
There are three main rules to my home theater buying philosophy.
Make sure that you don't spend lots on small upgrades and little on big ones. The difference between a $300 Onkyo receiver and a $2600 Yamaha receiver is not near as big as the difference between a $300 RCA 19" TV and a $1700 Panasonic 53" widescreen TV. The key is spending the money on the biggest difference.
I know the point of this article is to buy for cheap, but the key is making sure you get the features you need. Don't scrimp out on $50 when that $50 was for Dolby Digital in a receiver or for s-video on a TV. The key to this rule and rule number two is that you know what features are important and what features aren't which is covered above.
With these basic rules in mind, a normal individual should be able to assemble and set up a very nice home theater system without breaking the bank. Keeping the balance of quality, requirements and cost into the picture with each purchase made will help you spend your hard earned money wisely instead of blowing it on marketing slogans.
From: Cameron ( no@no.com ) on 17 November 2003
Subject: $1000?!?!?!
Sales, people, sales. Find something good on sale. DON'T buy your reciever until you find a good one on sale. I spent $300 on my Kenwood system (reviever, FR,FL,C,SR,SL,SW[100W]) and it sounds wonderful. $300 on the TV, $300 on the system, $100 for the DVD player. Now the system was originally $600. I got a $1200 system for $700. Don't get caught up in REALLY wanting a home theater system, because like everything else, timing is the key. Wait until you can get good components on sale, you'll save a LOT of money.
From: Luu ( toni_luu@hotmail.com ) on 13 November 2003
Subject: I am looking for a Right Floor Standing Infinity RS-8 in black color
HI,
I currently own one Infinity RS-8 (Left Floor Standing speaker with built-in subwoofer). I am looking for the Right speaker. Anyone know where I can get only one speaker. I am also up for trading in this speaker if anyone is interested.
Thanks
L
From: Mike ( LegolasArcher11@hotmail.com ) on 24 July 2003
Subject: My Last post
sorry it got cut off. I have spaekers, just need a reciever under $200. It doesnt hav eto be great but... anything is better than what i have now
From: Mike ( LegolasArcher11@hotmail.com ) on 22 July 2003
Subject: Low cost reciever
I am thinking of buying a home theater system, but I already have 4 older speakers from various things. Basically I need a cheap ( I mean very cheap) ~
From: Sam ( samgupta@cisco.com ) on 2 July 2002
Subject: Novice badly needing speaker/reciever advice
Hi Mike,
I'm just beginning to setup my home theater package. I already have a nice toshiba dvd player (~2 years old) and a 32" TV that I bought about a year ago.
I'm not looking to buy anything soon, but I want to start researching my options. I will want to use whatever I get to also play music and sound good for that. I don't have "expert ears" so I don't need anything extreme. I would like the reciever/speaker combo to be small also--I don't want it to be the first thing people see when they come into the house.
So, can all this be done for about $800-$1000? Any brands that would fit my situation? FYI, I have a personal hatred for Sony (had an expensive Sony TV die on me a short while ago) but just about anything else will go.
Thanks for your help! And long live the Bose bashing: 30% engineering talent, 70% marketing machine!
From: Nick ( Thackstonn@hotmail.com ) on 6 February 2002
Subject: Xbox
I recently bought an Xbox. Will this offer me optimal performance as a dvd player. Or should I spend more on another dvd player. (I am already thinking of buying one. Xbox doesn't support vcd's and or cd-r/cdrw/mp3.
From: Jinni ( jinni10@Juno.com ) on 11 January 2002
Subject: surround sound
I have been looking for an decent,cheap system. My doaughter just called and said that Sears has a panasonic on sale for $599. are there any decent panasonic's on the market and if so which one?
From: Sal ( nasser117@yahoo.com ) on 5 August 2001
Subject: Did I make the wrong decision?
I purchased a HT system about 3 months ago. I did alot of looking around, and being an engineer I thought I was "smart" enough(spec.-wise) to make the right choices. I finally decided on the Yamaha RX-V620 reciecer, the JBL NSP1 speaker system, & the JBL PB-10 Sub. I thought that given their reputation and "good stats(specs)" I was getting a great system at a bargain price($330 reciever/$460 all speakers/+ shipping). I never got to hear the two together.Actually never listened to the Yamaha.The places that sold it and other recievers that interested me were on display but not hooked up + sales reps were unwilling to hook them up. Anyways, I got It up and running and wAs initialy impressed with the sound quality. Lately I've noticed some weaknesses were music reproduction is concerned. Plus, I've been visiting alot of HT forums(alot of anti-Jbl/Yamaha sentiments)and websites and found myself regreting my decisions. After become more educated in the HT/Audio field(thanks in large part to sites like yours) I wish I would have gone w/the following setup:Denon AVR2802 and Energy Take 5.2 speakers.I have not listened to either though every review and comment I've read has been more than favorable.QUESTION IS: Is it worth me selling my new setup(taking a 30-40% loss) and go with this set up,which is $300-$400 more than I originaly spent. Or am I just being influenced by all the forum hype and the difference won't be worth it?!
From: brett ( brett@battles.org ) on 30 July 2001
Subject: wireless speakers
Hi...enjoyed your material. Any thoughts on quality wireless speakers. I am setting up my 1st home theater system and have some major problems running wires in the room. Would love to utilize wireless for at least the rear and subwoof. speakers. Any suggestions, opinions, recommendations, etc
thnx
From: Mike ( mshea@liquidtheater.com ) on 15 May 2001
Subject: Budget Recommendation
First off, good choice on returing the Bose. You might not believe it but I have an article waiting to be published called "Why Bose Acoustimass Sucks", so it was a relief to know I am not too late.
Here is an article I wrote that covers a specific Budget Home Theater Recommendation. For your situation, you might skip out on the subwoofer so you don't get evicted. Your DVD player might not be able to output DTS even if you get a receiver that can decode it. Go buy a Playstation 2 or a DVD player that outputs DTS if it is that important, but frankly it isn't. There are some other recommended systems on my Dream Systems Article which is a tad out of date, but still offers good speaker recommendations. yes I am plugging my own articles, that is what I wrote them for!
You have taken the first major leap into the world of home theater and made the most important action you could. You have educated yourself.
From: Chris McCallum ( McCallum10@yahoo.com ) on 14 May 2001
Subject: Home Theater System for a beginner
Hello,
Recently bought a Bose system and after reviewing my money options and always evaluating the system from the reviews I've read, I took it back. So I'm currently now going to research for a great system under 1000. I read your article and it helps a great deal. So what I am looking for; a clean system that is able to decode all audio sources to surround sound,(tv, video, dvd, cd's). A system that can play the surround sound as clean and crisp as the front speakers. What I disliked from the Bose was the loud bass and not really clean sound. I have neighbors with paper thin walls. Also, I am looking for THX or DTS along with dolby digital. The DTS sounds better and the bose didn't have that. My last issue is that I just bought a new DVD from Panasonic and it plays great with great sound yet it says it doesn't decode DTS. If I get a great receiver that is able to decode DTS will that be efficient with the DVD or do I need to take the DVD back? Simply I am a novice and need something that is easy to set up, sounds crisp and clean, and doesn't blow you away to cover up the problems. So I just need the system to be around 1000, not everything(TV, DVD, etc.)
Lastly, anything possible with wireless speakers?
Thanks for weeding through my questions. I hate all the people who try and sell me their products.
Chris
From: Mike ( mshea@liquidtheater.com ) on 7 December 2000
Subject: Home Theater in a Box
The following comment came from Brian L.
I am another novice looking to get a decent value on
a solid home theater
system. I haven't found much info on the systems
that come with all the
components: speakers, DVD, reciever/decoder in one
box. I would rather go
with one of those since it is easier. What do you
think of them? I like
the Sony brand, and they seem to have a decent
selection of these, but the
prices seem too low compared to the $2000 range that
you advocate on your
site. I would appreciate any advice you can give. Regards,
There are very few companies that are good at
everything. Sony makes great electronics, but their
speakers have never won any awards. B&W makes
wonderful speakers, but they don't even try to make
receivers or DVD players. Toshiba has some wonderful
TVs and DVD players but their receivers are junk and
their speakes are practically non-existant.
I believe in putting money into the best source. If
B&W makes the best speakers (IMHO, there are lots of
good speakers, don't get me wrong), Yamaha makes nice
receivers, Toshiba makes good DVD players and Sony
makes good displays, why not buy the best from each of
them?
As far as price goes, understand that as soon as you
decide to buy low end speakers (like Sony's) you
should consider them disposable until you can afford
decent speakers (like the B&W 302 at $250 a pair).
Don't expect to get the best sound out of them. That
said, don't worry about buying low end if that is all
you can afford, five crappy speakers are better than
none. Just don't expect them to last long.
From: Mike ( mshea@liquidtheater.com ) on 11 September 2000
Subject: De-Confusion
First off, check the reviews of the pieces of equipment you picked out at Audio Advisor. They have thousands of reviews on just about every piece of equipment from normal folks such as ourselves. Unfortunatly, I have never heard any of the systems you are mentioning, but I am glad you are focusing on the speakers and not the other components. There are a bunch of reviews of the Definitive Pro Cinema 100 system which have given it very favorable remarks so I am leaning towards this one. There is a Home Theater Mag Review of the Pro Cinema 100 that gives them very high marks. Depending on the cost of the system, you may want to get the four satelite speakers and the matching center but get a sub from either Hsu Subwoofers or SVS Subwoofers. The bigger subs can make a huge difference and these have been very highly regarded as excellent values. Thanks for the note!
From: Ash ( ashish_tiwari@amat.com ) on 11 September 2000
Subject: What should I choose ??
Hi Mike,
I am about to buy a home theater system, I wanted your recommendation as to which to the following three configurations I should choose:
Config1: Infinity RS8 (front L&R); Infinity RS4 (Rear L&R), Infinity Video1 Center, Infinity HPS250 Sub; Cost appx. 1100
Config2: Def Tech ProCinema 100 or 200 system (4 satellites, Procenter100 and 8" Sub) Cost appx 1100
Config3: Def Tech BP6B Bipolars (Front L&R), BP1X Bipolar Surrounds (Rear L&R), Def Tech Procenter CC2, Def Tech 10" Sub: Cost appx. 1800
Def Tech has satellites while the Infinity system has power towers. Also, the Infinity RS8 has a powered subwoofer in them. You had mentioned in one of your articles has having more than one sub is "really nice to have" in a home theater. Procinema reviews are also very good. Also, people say that Bipolar speakers are far better than conventional for HT, but is it worth the price difference?
I am confused man, help me out !!!!
From: Mike ( mshea@liquidtheater.com ) on 5 June 2000
Subject: Equipment and online buying
Well, first off I would avoid the Toshiba 9100 and go for the 5109. The price difference is over $1000 which is better spent elsewhere (like DVDs for that matter). I would buy it locally at Best Buy or somewhere else just so you can return it easily if you have a problem, don't have to pay shipping and don't have to wait. Yamaha receivers are excellent and the 995 is a very good choice (five way binding posts, DTS and DD, no fluff). Since you live in DC, your best bet is to go to Myer Emco. They have an excellent return policy and their prices aren't too bad. To my knowledge there isn't any online store that sells the good Yamaha receivers. The projector can be bought from Medical Video Systems. There is a guy there named Dennis who is absolutly wonderful to work with. He did me very well on my VPL 400Q. You can also get a screen from him. I found out about him on the Big Picture website and message forum which is dedicated to these two projectors.
From: Grant ( liquid@grantics.com ) on 5 June 2000
Subject: Online store recommendations
What online stores do you recommend for buying high quality home theater components at reasonable prices? For example, say I know I want to buy a Yamaha RXV995 receiver, or a Sony VPLVW10HT LCD projector, or a Toshiba SD9100 progressive-scan DVD player, and now I just want the best prices. How should I go about this?
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From: John Wehlitz ( jwehlitz@ix.netcom. om ) on 26 April 2004
Subject: Screen Size
Good article. Even now, five years after you wrote the article it still holds pretty true today. I agree with most of what you have to say, except - a 27 inch screen doesn't even come close to providing a home theater experience. Even a low end rear projection 50 something TV comes closer.
Someone who has some technical ability has more options open to them. I bought two InFocus projectors, which had problems, on eBay; and used parts from both of them to assemble one very good projector. For $500 to $600 I wound up with a HDTV capable projector with built in line doubling, and a zoom lens. This system really gives an "at the movies" feel.
You are very right about the Bose audio systems. At first they sound pretty good, but it doesn't take very long to realize how far they fall short of many systems which are far less expensive.