By CEDIA - Wed, Oct 9, 2024 - Blog
Home theaters and media rooms are no longer exclusive to the rich and famous. Thanks to smart technology, it’s easier than ever to install them in your home.
Whether you’re looking for a home theater to watch movies with friends and family or a media room to elevate your gaming, there are smart entertainment options for every budget.
We’ll explain the differences between home theaters and media rooms, and what you can get for your money.
Although similar, home theater and media rooms are different.
A home theater's sole purpose is for viewing things – whether that’s Friday night films, football matches or TV shows. Home theaters recreate the movie theatre atmosphere in your living space with technology like projectors, large TV screens, surround sound speakers and dimmable lights.
While media rooms use similar technology, they’re also a place to consume music and play video games. Some even incorporate virtual reality (VR) and driving simulators.
Which type of room you choose will impact the cost of your installation and the professionals you’ll need.
A high-end home theater can cost anywhere from $20k to $40k. The price tag could rise further depending on how much you spend on aesthetic interiors or extras, like drinks machines.
At the highest end, you’ll need to pay for building work – either to expand a room or construct a new one.
Even if you don’t need builders, a high-end home theater or media room requires a big budget due to the costs of the highest quality and largest available screens and projector systems. Plus, high-end installations also feature top-of-the-range surround speakers.
A mid-range home theater will cost between $9k to $16k
At the lower end, you can achieve a mid-range home theater with a high quality, large TV. At the higher end, it includes a projector and a screen.
As for sound, plenty of good quality surround sound speakers are available at mid-range prices. But prepare to spend more if you want them installed within the walls of your room theater-style.
On a budget? You can create a simpler home theater for between $1k and $6k.
To keep the price lower, pick a large TV rather than a projector and a screen. As for speakers, lower-end options can be set up through the TV which will reduce equipment and installation costs.
A budget home theater is a good option if you’re converting an existing smaller space and don’t want to spend money on an extension or place speakers in the walls.
Whichever option you pick, it’s important to factor in installation costs. Even with a budget home cinema, you may still want to hire a Smart Home Professional to make sure everything works as intended. Many CEDIA members are experts in installing home cinema and media room systems. They’ll ensure you get the best out of your new entertainment space – big or small.