How to Build a Home Theater On A Budget

Not everyone has thousands of dollars to dump into a home theater. Today we provide some options for building a home theater on a budget.

Onkyo Home Theater In A Box On Amazon:

Yamaha Home Theater In A Box on Amazon:

Budget Soundbar Option on Amazon:

[Kryojenix]

Buying 2nd hand is excellent advice. Less junk in landfill. Less incentive for manufacturers to make planned obsolescence and entry-level junk. More circular economy.
I got a 2nd hand medium level Yamaha 7.1 setup with large L+R front speakers which were a bit beat up. Later I replaced just those two speakers with new.

[the_stixXx]

I had a set of 2-way DJ speaker from Highschool (Kicker subwoofers installed) and EV Amp hooked up to a 2 channel mixer (for my ancient Technique 1200's) and even though it wasn't 5.1 surround, the bass that it produced for movies and the acoustics of my basement movie setup was enough to really enjoy a movie. and FEEL the sound. I recently had a flood that destroyed my whole basement/kids room/media room/office and now I'm starting all over and all out of pocket because insurance isn't covering anything. Depressing to say the least. I've been out of the game so long and I REALLY appreciate this video because it is giving me ideas and the knowledge I forgot I knew. I will be a frequent visitor of you page. You're great! Thank you!

[piewars]

Got myself a JBL Bar 1000 open-box at best buy for like 600 or 700 bucks last year. Wireless surround is super nice and sure it doesn't sound as good as a modular atmos setup...but it's pretty damn good. Until I can afford a home and have a room/basement to really deck out as a home theater, the sound bar will do just fine

[salehkambijo]

Best projectors for 2024 videos can't wait to see 😮

[Joe__]

Such great advice Chris. This is exactly how I started my home theatre set up over the years. And now fortunately have been able to fully upgrade to a proper complete home theatre with project and in wall wired speakers. But to start I bought everything second hand and it was all worth it.

[firework-]

Awesome video once again. I agree with the 2nd hand stuff. I started with a reciever for just €80 and it still powers my Klipsch system. Started with bookshelfs for 2.0. Added a 12" sub and after a time bought a center speaker. Then came the towers and the bookshelfs went to the rear. Now it's an awesome system!

A little tip: sometimes stores have some good outlet or (not used) returned products. This way I got my Klipsch RP-6000's for less then €600. Even today they are still going above €1000 for the two.

[TheDavan]

If you buy used HT equipment from somewhere nearby I recommend picking it up yourself if possible. Not only will you save money on shipping (subwoofers are big and heavy so shipping might cost you quite a lot extra) but you will also have the chance to test the device(s) before finalizing the deal, given that the seller agrees to take the time etc. When I picked up my speakers and subwoofer the seller had them hooked up to his own reciever so that I could listen to all channels to verify them working fine before we packed everything up.

[chrisrosenkreuz]

Well, I just built an entry level 'proper' Atmos 5.2.2 for just $350 by buying an Onkyo SR494 but I had to hook up my old PoS speakers to do that.
I really do recommend this because the Atmos is truly a step up from basic peasant AC3, (the height channels really are all they cranked up to be) and it beats any soundbar 6 ways to Sunday. Besides, then you can get whatever speakers you want when you get the money.

[MrBjorn]

I have went from AVR and speakers in 2002 to an Nakamichi shockwafe SSE ARC 9.2 4. 1000 watt soundbar in my basement. For $1, 100. I was more than happy. That's i purchased another one in my master bedroom in 2019.

In 2023 I heard about the Nakamichi Dragon at CES 2024. I pre-order it, Spent the $3500 unheard unseen and unreviewed. I had to wait 5 months to get it. I couldn't be happier, i give it 99.95 out of 100.

[jeffdelgadocantillano]

I bought an old 2006 6.2 Sony Muteki for $300. I believe it was not sold in the US but it provides a great experience for mid-size rooms, however, it's a little aged for today's standards

[coffeegod]

Chris m8 thx you very much, i was uneducated on the subject of home theater and audio in general, your videos gave me better understanding of what exactly i was looking for plus general knowledge about audio.

Thx to you i found someone who is selling exactly what i need if not better for a really good price.🙏

[DavidHager]

I've been watching this channel for 6 or 7 years now since I started learning about 4k projectors and I just love it, I feel like you don't really farm a ton of videos to make more money (which is ok anyway we all need money) you just do the ones that you really like and for stuff you care about. I can appreciate that.

I just wish 4k projects came further than they have, seems like they've been pretty stagnant for the last 6 years unless you got tons to drop on a laser projector which don't seem that much different either.

Anyway, any upcoming videos or things you're gonna branch into? maybe figuring out which popcorn tastes like movie popcorn? lol

[Saturn]

My speakers and subs are nearly $60K not counting the TV and receiver. There's always a way to spend more.

I've enjoyed the journey up to this point starting with my dad's decent home-theater-in-a-box back in the mid-90s.

I honestly kept it extremely cheap until 2019 when I bought a bunch of speakers and subs totalling $2K.

[lawrencesamson]

I just got the SR 494 onyx AV receiver and a sonny Bravia x90l tv with a Samsung sound bar q800 D. My challenge was and is that I am unable to output sound from my tv via the Av receiver to the soundbar. the connection I used was/IS connecting the HDMI cable via the arc port from the tv to the Av receiver arc port and finally connecting the sound bar to the bd/DVD port of the Av receiver using the HDMI cable. unfortunately still no sound, I have put the Av receiver aside as there is no luck even after switching the cords in all directions, is there a tutorial on how to connect or a guide? please I am a complete newbie to this.

[TheNerdArmory]

You showed a Yamaha home theater pack there a few times and i happened to find a guy near me selling what looked like exactly that kit, at least the speakers were and it has a Yamaha RX-V377 with it for $125 in good condition. Figured it was a steal and way better than any sound bar we were affording for $200. My wifes just going to have to trust me on this lolll

[badboyjm]

I already have a 3.1 setup but still enjoyed this video. lots of great advice especially with the going used part.

[Punisher]

$500 for a sound bar is a rip off honestly. That would get you a nice reciever easily or a pair of really nice speakers or a subwoofer.

[christianholmstedt]

Another way is to get a used Receiver with Audyssey and start with a simple 2.1 setup. The room correction works wonders.

[auroraremote]

Thanks for showing me the the lay of the land.

[nanoa]

I personally think building PC is easier to learn than audio system.