How to Build an Affordable Audio Visual System on a Budget

Having a home cinema or audio visual system that allows you to enjoy movies, TV shows and listen to music in high quality is something most people want. However, many feel that a good AV system is out of reach due to the high costs involved. In this blog post, I will share tips and recommendations for how to build an affordable yet capable audio visual system without breaking the bank. With some research and smart shopping, it is definitely possible to create a high-quality home theater experience while staying within a reasonable budget.

Determining Your Budget
First, it is important to set a realistic budget for your home AV system before beginning your search. This will help guide your component choices. Some key factors to consider when determining your budget include:

Screen size: Larger screens will obviously cost more than smaller screens. Budget accordingly based on the screen size you desire. For most living rooms, a 50-55" screen is a good starting point that doesn't require a huge budget.

Speakers: Speakers can vary widely in price depending on quality and features. Budget a minimum of $200-300 for a basic 5.1 speaker setup and be prepared to spend $500-1000 or more for higher-end options.

A/V Receiver: mid-range receivers suitable for a basic 5.1 setup start around $200-300. Consider leaving $300-500 or more in your budget for an A/V receiver if you want more advanced features and capabilities.

Sources: Budget $100-200 for a media streamer like a Roku or Fire TV stick. Consider your cable/satellite options as well which may have additional costs.

Cables and installation: Allocate a minimum of $100-200 for speaker wire, HDMI cables, mounts, etc. to complete your setup professionally.

With those factors in mind, a realistic starting point budget is $700-1000. With some deals and openness to used/refurbished gear, you can build a capable basic system for under $1000. Just be prepared to spend $1500-2500 or more if you want advanced features like 4K and Atmos audio.

Choosing Components
With your budget determined, it's time to start shopping for specific components within that budget to complete your system. Here are some recommendations for putting together an affordable audio visual system:

Display:

55" TCL 5-Series LED Roku TV - Around $500, great affordable 4K HDR TV with reliable Roku OS built-in.

55" Vizio M-Series Quantum LED - $600-700 range, quantum dot display for improved color.

Used name brand TV between 48-55" - Check sites like Facebook Marketplace, you may find a bargain.

AV Receiver:

Denon AVR-S540BT - $229, capable 5.1 receiver with 4K/HDR passthrough and Bluetooth.

Yamaha RX-V385 - $299, similarly equipped reliable entry-level receiver.

Used name brand receiver - Browse locally from reputable sellers, find higher-end models less than retail.

Speakers:

Dayton Audio B652-AIR - $65 for a pair, great budget bookshelf speakers for fronts.

Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers - Around $90 a pair, highly rated speakers on a budget.

Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers - $100-120 a pair, step up from entry level with better sound quality.

Used speakers from garage sales, pawn shops - There are deals to be had if you look.

Subwoofer:

Dayton Audio SUB-1200 - $150, capable 12"ported subwoofer to add true bass impact.

Bic America F12 - $199, highly rated budget subwoofer.

Source and Streaming:

Roku Streaming Stick+ - $49, easy to use 4K streaming media player with all major services.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K - $39-49, similar options as Roku with Alexa voice control.

Apple TV 4K - $179 and up, pricier but seamless for Apple users.

Cables and Accessories:

Monoprice Premium High Speed HDMI Cables - Around $8-15 each for quality HDMI cables.

Speaker wire - $20-30 for good 14 or 16 gauge wire.

TV wall mount - $30 and up depending on TV size and mount type.

Combining components from these types of selections puts a quality beginner surround sound system together between $700-1000 depending on screen size and specific components chosen. With some patience and bargain hunting, even less can be achieved.

Installation and Setup
Once your audio visual components are purchased and in hand, it's time to install and setup your new home theater system. Here are some tips:

Read manuals for all components to ensure proper connections between devices - AV receiver to TV (HDMI), AV receiver to speakers (speaker wire), and power connections.

Mount TV on wall if using wall mount, keeping center of screen at eye level when seated.

Run speaker wire from AV receiver to speaker locations, leave some slack and ensure tight connections.

Connect subwoofer to AV receiver subwoofer output using included cable.

Place speakers around room pointed towards main seating - center channel, L/R speakers, surround speakers evenly spaced.

Run necessary cables neatly along wall/floor using tape or raceways to avoid clutter or trip hazards.

Run through guided setup process on AV receiver to configure speakers and run test tones.

Configure inputs and outputs properly between devices like streaming device to HDMI on receiver.

Run room correction software on receiver like Audyssey to optimize speaker levels and distances for your space.

With some care taken in installation and setup, your new affordable home theater will offer an immersive surround sound experience. Be sure to break it in with some of your favorite movie scenes or tunes to enjoy your new setup!

Ongoing Optimizations
While your initial audio visual system purchase gets you up and running, there are ongoing ways to optimize and improve your home theater experience over time without huge additional costs:

Gradually upgrade speakers - Fronts first, then center, surrounds, subwoofer as budget allows. Quality speakers make a big difference.

AddAtmos-enabled speakers forheight or overhead speakers if receiver supports Dolby Atmos for 3D audio.

-Consider used or refurbished gear for larger upgrades likeprojector/screen. Pricescome down after a few years.

Try differentstreaming/sourceoptionslike game consoles, Blu-ray player etc as interests evolve.

Re-run room correction as needed if furniture changes affect acoustics.

Increase cable quality over time if issues like 4K HDMI ARC are encountered.

Manage wiring for expandability - Leave slack and access for adding components like integrated amps.

With some patience and researching deals, many piecemeal upgrades can be made yearly to take an initial affordable system even further without breaking the bank all at once. The goal is enjoying home theater without spending a small fortune!

Conclusion

By doing research, setting a realistic budget, choosing quality components within that budget, and carefully installing and setting up your new system, it is very possible to create an impressive home theater experience without spending thousands of dollars upfront. An initial investment of $700-$1000 for a capable beginner 5.1 or 5.1.2 surround system leaves room for optimizations and upgrades over subsequent years. With some bargain hunting and openness to refurbished or used gear, even less can be achieved. Following the tips here should help anyone put together an enjoyable and expandable audio visual system for their home on an affordable budget.