Two Home Theater Surprises

There are a couple of things about home theaters we all know for certain. First, of course, is that having a great home theater system will cost a great deal of money. 

Second, everyone is sure that home theaters are only a workable entertainment option for those with a great deal of space in their homes. 

It doesn’t take a video technology geek or a seasoned audiophile to recognize these two home theater facts. We can all agree that home theaters are pricey and take up a lot of space, right?

If you were nodding your head in agreement with that last paragraph, you are in for a big surprise. 

Two of them, actually. 

Those two widely held beliefs about the world of home theater are, in reality, baseless. Although it may be a shock to many people, home theater systems can actually be very inexpensive. 

Even more surprising to those who visualize home theaters as being a centerpiece of a wealthy home’s large basement media complex; home theaters can actually be found for spaces of all sizes.

Let’s take a look at price...

When people hear the expression “home theater” they often immediately assume the price tag associated with such an exciting entertainment option will minimally be in the five figure range. 

It is true that some systems can cost that much or more. Some wealthy home theater enthusiasts possess amazingly expensive systems. 

However, unless one is obsessed with being on the sharpest part of technology’s cutting edge, home theaters can actually be quite inexpensive.

There are home theater “in a box” solutions that may only cost a few hundred dollars. If the buyer already possesses and adequately sized television or monitor, that small investment may be enough to create a winning home theater experience. 

Even those who are not limited quite that much when purchasing a home theater can still assemble an enviable system for far less than most people expect.

The trick to home theater expense management is knowing what you really need and knowing some good ways to find bargains. 

The cost factor associated with home theater purchases really doesn’t need to keep many people away from the fun. There are systems in all price ranges and options that can fill the needs of anyone.

The constant introduction of new technology and increased competition in the home theater market promises to drive down prices even more. 

A well-informed consumer can find a way to put together a great home theater system relatively inexpensively.

There are still a lot of people out there who perceive a home theater as being a large toy for a wealthy person. They imagine smaller scale replicas of movie theaters tucked into the basements of millionaires. 

Curtains to pull in front of the screen, plush chairs, large wall-mounted speakers and a huge screen: that is what a home theater is to many people.

Admittedly, there are some who do have home theaters of that sort. 

They invest a small fortune to dedicate a portion of their home to the home theater experience. These mammoth systems can be quite impressive, too. 

However, there is no reason to cling to the idea that a home theater must be huge.

Technological advances have led to a big shrinking of component size. Even television screens, albeit much larger these days, are now being made with a very low profile or are wall mountable. 

Things are shrinking, and one can get great performance out of some very space-conscious equipment! 

Today, a home theater can be designed for a space as small as a studio apartment. 

Those old notions about home theaters being something only for those with a great deal of money and space can be thrown out the window as top of the line speaker systems the size of a ring box are being produced!

As is occasionally the case with popular beliefs, widely held outlooks on home theaters systems are inaccurate. 

People generally accept the myths without questioning them or holding them up to a great deal of scrutiny. A closer look at things, however, makes one notice the wide disparity between popular conceptions and reality.

Home theaters do not have to cost and arm and a leg. They don’t even have to cost a single! Prices are surprisingly reasonable and are falling with the passing of each and every day. 

Home theaters are not necessarily behemoths. Sure, if you want to convert your barn into a replica of your favorite childhood theater, complete with balcony, you can. 

You will spend a fortune, but it can be done. However, if you just want a great home theater system that will allow you to enjoy films at home, a great system can be found regardless of your free space.

We've put together a comprehensive guide to buying and installing your new home theater. If you'd like to check it out, visit A Guide to Home Theater Selection and Set-up

We wish you every success with your new home theater and know that it will give you many hours of pure enjoyment.