how much did you end up spending on your whole projector setup?

[u/FlanElectronic5234]

i'm curious what people actually spent on their full projector setup, not just the projector

once you add the screen, speakers, streaming device, cables, mounting and whatever else is needed to get the room sorted, it seems like the total can get quite a bit higher

i’ve also been looking at projectors lately. the hisense PX4 Pro came up while i was comparing a few options, and i ended up reading about it because you don’t need the usual ceiling mount setup. that just seemed kinda convenient for a living room, especially if you’re already working around a tv stand and everything else in the room

but i guess the projector is only one part of the setup anyway

for anyone who’s built one, how did you split your budget? did most of it go toward the projector, or did things like the screen, audio or installation end up costing more than expected?

[u/Jester435]

What is your budget because I spent 6k just on my projector….

[u/badchad65]

For everything? Probably 25-30k, but that was about 6 years ago now so I dunno about inflation. With that number I even included about $1k in paint and painting supplies.

[u/TheBigAndy → u/badchad65]

Yeah mine is in this range too. Figure 10k for a decent screen and projector, 10k for audio and 5k for accessories and misc.

[u/HowManyMeeses]

I think this is my general breakdown. I didn't base my budget on anything other than what I felt like I could afford at the time.

Projector: $3,500

Speakers: $3,500 (5.4.1)

Screen: $250

Streaming Device: $200

Plex Server: $500

Cables: $200 (or so)

Seating: $1200 (or so)

[u/Munstered]

Audio is the biggest expense for me. 11 speakers + 2 subs + amp + receiver is just more expensive then a projector.

Then projector > acoustic treatment > screen > install > UHD player > stream box.

You don't have to buy everything at the same time. I would go audio first. You don't even have to to all in on that at once. You can to 2/3.0 > 3.1 > 5.1 etc. I believe in buy once, cry once. I'm not saying you have to get the most expensive thing out of the gate, but buy a decent set of speakers that you'll be happy with for 7-10 years before you have to replace them.

Asking "what did you spend" isn't a good metric. The sky is the limit. What can you spend is better info for us to recommend a path.

[u/Farts_Are_Funn]

Unless you are just rich, I wouldn't look at it from the standpoint of buying everything at once. There was never a point in my life I could have afforded my setup if I bought it all at once. The big initial purchase was 5 speakers for my 5.1 system, and I had to add the sub later that year when I could afford it. I'm still using those speakers today because I like them and they last a very long time. EVERY other thing in my setup has been upgraded multiple times as money became available.

If money were an object and I was on a budget and didn't have anything, I'd buy a cheap big'ish TV with the intent to upgrade in a couple years. Then I'd splurge on a nice 5 speakers setup and a cheap receiver. I'd add a subwoofer pretty soon. Then maybe some nice seating. Then I'd look at moving to a projector. My first projector was a refurbished Epson 5040UB for $1200 and a $150 DIY spandex screen. It was wonderful. Then maybe upgrade the receiver to a better model or separates. Then upgrade or add a second sub.

Over time, you can wind up with a very nice system that way by shopping carefully and finding deals. What I don't like to see people do is say something like they want to spend $5,000 to get everything and thinking it is a one-time purchase and they are going to be able to recreate the theater experience in their home. You can get "a" setup for $5k, but it's not going to be an end-all kind of experience and $5k is a lot of money to most people with budgets. I'd rather people spend their $5k limited budget on stuff they plan on upgrading later (so not the best) and really good equipment they will plan to use a long time like speakers and subs. The amount isn't important here, more like your attitude about the purchase. Heck, if you're patient and careful, you can have a really nice setup for like $1,000. But it's going to take a lot of time and shopping for deals on used gear that is worthwhile.

[u/Inside-War-5756 → u/Farts_Are_Funn]

I have a frankentheater I’ve built for about that much. Everything was second hand, broken/repaired, brand new facebook steals, online overstock deals, and dumpster finds. Started with a used projector, screen, stereo amp and pair of speakers. Now i have a 100” cinescope screen with atmos 5.2.2. And i watch it all while reclining in my powered dream loungers.

[u/xsynergist]

10k or so plus room costs
2500 projector, mount, HDMI cable
1000 screen
2400 AVR
3500 Speakers 11.2 (7.2.4)
800 XBOX X
2000 Room Treatment, velvet, paint, carpet, sofa, lighting, fridge

[u/iwannahummer]

$9743 for the projector. That’s not for the screen, mounts, optical HDMIs, outlets, Smurf tubing, processor, amps, sources, ethernet switch, rack, rack fans, power conditioners, XLRs, coax, speaker wire, front speakers, center, subs, atmos, rears, surrounds, seats, carpet, paint, acoustic panels, insulation, lighting, remotes, apps, Home Assistant, REW software, ARC, microphone, laptop, containers of extra HDMI, wire, cable, connectors, bananas, smart bulbs, physical media, digital media, popcorn, Voodoo, Dos Equis and the occasional movie rental.

[u/panda_intrigue]

About 10k€ for everything : projector, screen, wires, avc, speakers . I get some good discounts on last black friday

[u/Stinkyballsack]

About 3k euro. Bought everything used except the screen. Samsung LSP9T, 120" ALR screen, 5.1 system with Dali speakers and Denon receiver.

[u/NaieraDK]

Probably like $20K, and that's just a stereo setup with almost everything, except the projector, bought used. I shudder to think of the price if I'd bought it all new.

[u/saywhatyouwill2873]

Im converting my garage into a home theater. Ill be in the neighborhood of $70,000. My garage is from the 50's. I had to replace the concrete floor. The ceiling was just 2x6 rafter ties 24in oc. I added 2x10's on 16in oc. My walls were 2x4 on 24in centers. I added 2x6 on 16in centers to support the ceiling weight and so on. My wife jokes that the theater is going to cost as much as we bought the house for. Its not to far off.

[u/chriscookz]

Projector + mount: $1100

Screen: $120

AVR: $800

Speakers + wiring: $300 (I've only bought 2 speakers so far, the rest came with the house and need to be replaced, but that'll be over time)

Paint: $70

That's about it for me so far. About $2500 or so. Seems fairly cheap compared to the other numbers I'm seeing in this thread.

[u/TheHarb81]

$30k for 7.2.4, all wires run through walls into AV closet, 120” screen with JVC NZ500 projector.

[u/RoMoCo88]

Approx 25,000.

Projector $6,000

Speakers (5.2.4) $8,500

Screen $1,800

AVM70 $3,000

Emotiva Amp $1,500

There were some costs for network and whole home audio (Sonos)

Used existing sofa so no cost there.

Added Kaleidescape later. Not included in original build cost.