In 2010, I undertook a project to convert my unfinished basement into a home theater, with an initial budget of $10,000 allocated for equipment and materials. I didn't track my expenses closely and ended up "slightly" over budget. The room layout includes two rows of seating: a back row with three recliners and a front row with a somewhat too-close reclining couch. Since starting this project, I have periodically updated different aspects of the DIY Home Theater.

I began with the goal of setting up a projector that projects onto a 115-inch fixed screen, initially aiming for a 7.1 surround sound system. Over time, the audio evolved from 7.1 to a 7.2.4 Atmos setup. Although the room layout has remained consistent, I've made several upgrades, including acoustic treatments and enhancements to the equipment.

Throughout the process, I documented my research and decisions in roughly chronological order, including mistakes and technical details. This write-up (see Table of Contents to the left) serves as a detailed record of the journey in creating a DIY, tailored, and immersive experience.

To view pictures of the finished room and bypass my pontificating on the design of the theater, this link will take you directly to those photos.

The initial goals and requirements for the design were:

Accommodate 5-6 people.
Screen size between 110 and 120 inches, requiring a projector
Support 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, later evolving to 7.2.4
Utilize existing equipment initially and add or upgrade it over time.
Budget goal of less than $10,000 for initial equipment purchase

Next: Initial Planning