My extremely budgeted living room setup - Blu-ray Forum

Derekstanggt · 06-12-2014, 03:32 PM

Hi, I've been lurking for quite some time but decided it was time to post my build. Since I started checking out others' setups, I've been both extremely impressed, but also a bit discouraged with all the amazing home theaters I've seen on this site. While I admire everyone's setups for their unique approaches and stout equipment, I feel that this hobby is better suited to those more financially stout. Of course, it's all relative, and my meager build may seem superfluous to many, but this is one reason I decided to post my setup; because I feel like a decent home "theater" system can be attained for a (relatively) low cost that would suit most laymen. I'm not by any stretch an audiophile, and have other hobbies to spend time and money on, but my wife and I also enjoy watching movies, and choose to limit our "going to the movies" due to ever increasing prices and crowds. I've uploaded my pics in the gallery, but have listed equipment below. I'll also include the prices to show just how budget-minded my setup is. Please be generous with your tips and criticism as I'm always looking for suggestions, just know I won't be able to go out and drop $500 any time soon.

Sorry for some of the poor quality of the pictures, I'll re-take them with my camera (not phone) and post the better ones soon.

Display: Samsung LN55C630 55" LCD 1080 ($1200 4 years ago) > now Vizio 65” 4K SmartCast M-65

AVR: Yamaha HTR 3063 ($150.00 3 yrs ago) > now Denon AVR-E300

Fronts: JBL ES80 ($260 Fry's sale)

Center: JBL ES25 ($150 factory refurb)

Surround: Sony SS-B1000 ($50 online 3 yrs ago)

Sub: Sony 10" SAW2500 ($98 3 yrs ago) > now JBL 12" ES250PBK ($200)

Sources: Sony BDP-S3100 Blu-ray Disc Player, Buffalo 2TB external HD ($80), PLEX Server (300+ Blu ray movies), Netflix, Hulu, Mohu Leaf Ultimate antenna ($60), PS 2 (?), N64 (?)

Misc: Harmony 700 remote ($60), LED bias lighting ($25), Monoprice 16AWG ($15), GP banana plugs ($10) and tilting wall mount ($35)

Plus misc items here and there, I'd guess around $100

Total system build to date still ~$2,592.00

Travis · 06-12-2014, 03:35 PM

Your setup is nice and clean! Looks great!

Johnny Vinyl · 06-12-2014, 03:47 PM

Welcome to the HT Gallery threads Derekstanggt!

Your setup looks fine and as long as it brings you and your wife joy, then you've attained your goal. Maybe you'll upgrade over time (most people usually do as they get more into it), but if not.....that is 100% fine too.

HAMP · 06-12-2014, 04:22 PM

Welcome to the forum, and it’s about time you joined… All that lurking was creeping us out!!! Just kiddin.

Also, I don’t mind being the first to give a suggestion. You should move your center channel to the very edge on your stand to where the audio isn’t bouncing off the stand it is sitting on.

DangeRuss · 06-12-2014, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis

Your setup is nice and clean! Looks great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Welcome to the HT Gallery threads Derekstanggt!

Your setup looks fine and as long as it brings you and your wife joy, then you've attained your goal. Maybe you'll upgrade over time (most people usually do as they get more into it), but if not.....that is 100% fine too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

Welcome to the forum, and it’s about time you joined… All that lurking was creeping us out!!! Just kiddin.

Also, I don’t mind being the first to give a suggestion. You should move your center channel to the very edge on your stand to where the audio isn’t bouncing off the stand it is sitting on.

I just want to echo the previous statements and welcome you to the Gallery Threads .......

May your stay here be as enjoyable to you as it has been for me

BTW: You've put together a great system and I'd be proud to have it in my home

Derekstanggt · 06-12-2014, 05:03 PM

Thanks for all the comments! I've found this to be an extremely informative site thus far, and hope to be around for a while, no more lurking!

Hamp, thanks for the suggestion, exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. I'll move the center forward tonight when I get home. I'm still tinkering with sub and surround speaker placement anyway. I'll get up pics of the surrounds and room asap.

XTOPHER34 · 06-13-2014, 02:55 AM

Very nice setup

CtrlCtrlFast · 06-13-2014, 10:55 PM

I like you use of the Sony sub and bookshelfs. I am a fan of Sony audio equipment. I also like the ambient light and wires being under the carpet.

06-12-2014, 03:32 PM	#1
Derekstanggt Member Member since:Jun 2014 Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:47	My extremely budgeted living room setup Hi, I've been lurking for quite some time but decided it was time to post my build. Since I started checking out others' setups, I've been both extremely impressed, but also a bit discouraged with all the amazing home theaters I've seen on this site. While I admire everyone's setups for their unique approaches and stout equipment, I feel that this hobby is better suited to those more financially stout. Of course, it's all relative, and my meager build may seem superfluous to many, but this is one reason I decided to post my setup; because I feel like a decent home "theater" system can be attained for a (relatively) low cost that would suit most laymen. I'm not by any stretch an audiophile, and have other hobbies to spend time and money on, but my wife and I also enjoy watching movies, and choose to limit our "going to the movies" due to ever increasing prices and crowds. I've uploaded my pics in the gallery, but have listed equipment below. I'll also include the prices to show just how budget-minded my setup is. Please be generous with your tips and criticism as I'm always looking for suggestions, just know I won't be able to go out and drop $500 any time soon. Sorry for some of the poor quality of the pictures, I'll re-take them with my camera (not phone) and post the better ones soon. Display: Samsung LN55C630 55" LCD 1080 ($1200 4 years ago) > now Vizio 65” 4K SmartCast M-65 AVR: Yamaha HTR 3063 ($150.00 3 yrs ago) > now Denon AVR-E300 Fronts: JBL ES80 ($260 Fry's sale) Center: JBL ES25 ($150 factory refurb) Surround: Sony SS-B1000 ($50 online 3 yrs ago) Sub: Sony 10" SAW2500 ($98 3 yrs ago) > now JBL 12" ES250PBK ($200) Sources: Sony BDP-S3100 Blu-ray Disc Player, Buffalo 2TB external HD ($80), PLEX Server (300+ Blu ray movies), Netflix, Hulu, Mohu Leaf Ultimate antenna ($60), PS 2 (?), N64 (?) Misc: Harmony 700 remote ($60), LED bias lighting ($25), Monoprice 16AWG ($15), GP banana plugs ($10) and tilting wall mount ($35) Plus misc items here and there, I'd guess around $100 Total system build to date still ~$2,592.00 Last edited by Derekstanggt; 03-28-2017 at 09:02 PM.

06-12-2014, 03:35 PM	#2
Travis Blu-ray King Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Recliner Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:126 Blu-ray collection:2055 DVD collection:241 iTunes collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:14	Your setup is nice and clean! Looks great!

06-12-2014, 03:47 PM	#3
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Welcome to the HT Gallery threads Derekstanggt! Your setup looks fine and as long as it brings you and your wife joy, then you've attained your goal. Maybe you'll upgrade over time (most people usually do as they get more into it), but if not.....that is 100% fine too.

06-12-2014, 04:22 PM	#4
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	Welcome to the forum, and it’s about time you joined… All that lurking was creeping us out!!! Just kiddin. Also, I don’t mind being the first to give a suggestion. You should move your center channel to the very edge on your stand to where the audio isn’t bouncing off the stand it is sitting on.

06-12-2014, 05:03 PM	#6
Derekstanggt Member Member since:Jun 2014 Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:47	Thanks for all the comments! I've found this to be an extremely informative site thus far, and hope to be around for a while, no more lurking! Hamp, thanks for the suggestion, exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. I'll move the center forward tonight when I get home. I'm still tinkering with sub and surround speaker placement anyway. I'll get up pics of the surrounds and room asap.

06-13-2014, 02:55 AM	#7
XTOPHER34 Member Member since:May 2011 Location:ORD Blu-ray collection:45 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:3	Very nice setup

06-13-2014, 10:55 PM	#8
CtrlCtrlFast Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2014 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:66 4K collection:299 Blu-ray collection:871 DVD collection:303 Digital collection:1	I like you use of the Sony sub and bookshelfs. I am a fan of Sony audio equipment. I also like the ambient light and wires being under the carpet.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals