Best Home Theater Installation Services in Chicago

FAQs

• Introduction

  Whether your goal is to create a home theater on a budget or you want an extravagant, luxurious space, there are a lot of options available to you. Consulting a professional home theater installer for guidance is one of the easiest ways to make sure you end up with a space that meets your family’s viewing needs.

• How do you connect TV sound to a home theater?

  You can connect your TV sound to your home theater system by running cables from the TV output panel to the system's input panel. If your TV and sound system has Bluetooth wireless capabilities, you can use it sync the two components.

• How much does it cost to build a home theater?

  You can build a basic home theater for around $500. However, when you start to add extras to enhance the viewing experience, such as custom seating or a bigger TV, the cost increases. If you're planning a large, elaborate home theater, it can cost as much as $50,000.

• What components are needed to make a theater at home?

  Some necessary components include a TV or projector system to display videos and an audio system to receive and play the movies' sound. Other needed components include surge protectors, cables to connect the electronic components, and seating for viewers to watch movies.

• Where should I place a subwoofer in a home theater?

  When setting up a home theater system, put the subwoofer within five feet of one of the front speakers. This positioning lets the subwoofer work with the chosen speaker so it can deliver richer bass tones.

• How do you choose the right size subwoofer for your home theater?

  Match your subwoofer to the size of your speakers or sound bar to create an immersive experience, such as an eight-inch subwoofer with bookshelf speakers. Or, you can match your subwoofer to the room size, for example, pair a 12-inch subwoofer with a large theater space.

• Where can you buy a home theater system?

  You can buy a home theater system at a mass merchandiser, online, or from an audio-visual specialist. Advantages of buying from a big box store or online are lower cost and getting set up faster. Advantages of buying from an audio-visual specialist include professional help getting started and potentially better quality equipment.

• How do you create a home theater room?

  Set up your TV and sound system as the focal point of the room. Then, position comfortable seating so each seat has a clear view of the TV. You may have to move things around a few times to get the placement just right. Add side tables to hold beverages and snacks.

• What is the best home theater sound system?

  The best home theater sound system really depends on your needs and space because these systems are typically customized for each theater room. However, there are some brands that are highly rated by current home theater owners, including Bose, Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony, and Klipsch.

• Where can you buy home theater seats?

  You can buy home theater seats from specialty companies or from big box furniture and electronics retailers. Alternately, you can visit major online retailers to find theater seating, or you can visit the websites of specialty theater seating companies, such as 4Seating or the Theater Seats Store.

• How do you build stadium seating for a home theater?

  To build stadium seating, set up front row seats at the original floor height. Then, build risers for each of the following rows, increasing the height incrementally by 12 inches per riser. Carpet the risers to help deaden unwanted sounds. Position the seats so they’re slightly staggered for unobstructed viewing.
  

• How do you choose the right projector for a home theater?

  Use the distance between the screen and seating to choose a projector size. Smaller projectors are suitable for distances of five to eight feet. Standard projectors are ideal for distances of up to 13 feet. Additionally, make sure the projector has enough ports for everything you want to connect.

• What are the best lumens for a home theater projector?

  The number of lumens can be chosen based on your main purpose for the projector. A projector with 1,500 lumens is ideal for presentations. One with 2,000 lumens is ideal for watching movies and TV shows. For gaming experiences, a projector should have 2,000 or more lumens.

• What questions should you ask a home theater installation professional?

  Some questions may include:
  

  • Would a projector or TV provide a better viewing experience in my size theater room?
  • Are you insured?
  • How do I get the purest sound quality from my home theater system?
  • Do you have references from past clients?

• How to prepare your home for a home theater installation: 

  Measure the dimensions of your theater room and make a plan for blocking out any ambient light that could interfere with your viewing experience. Plan a seating arrangement that allows everyone a clear view of the screen, and consider adding soundproofing to minimize sound transfer to nearby rooms.

• How do you pick the right room for your home theater installation?

  Choose a room and location that lets you easily block out ambient light and minimize sound transfer. It should also have enough room to comfortably seat the number of people you may want to join you for movie viewing.

• How much will a home theater system increase my electricity costs?

  Home theater systems use about 2.5 times the electricity to watch movies or play games compared to a standard TV with a cable connection. To help conserve electricity, considering plugging the various components into a power strip that you can switch off when your home theater isn't in use.

• Which is better: a soundbar or speakers?

  Soundbars and speakers each have advantages. A soundbar can provide quality audio in a smaller space, but more speakers may be needed to create a surround-sound effect in a larger theater room. A soundbar is typically less expensive than speakers, so it can be a better choice if you're on a budget.