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Hit $500 total on my budget build and it got me thinking about diminishing returns
I just finished my third budget home theater build and the total came to $498 exactly. That includes a used 1080p projector I got for $80, a thrift store receiver for $40, some Amazon basics speakers, and a DIY screen made from blackout cloth. What surprised me is how close this $500 setup performs to my friend's $2,000 rig with a name brand screen and floor standing speakers. I sat through a whole movie at his place and honestly couldn't tell a huge difference in picture quality, maybe just slightly better black levels. But his sound was definitely fuller, especially in the low end. So here's the debate: once you hit around $500, are you mostly paying for small improvements or is there a real jump in experience after that? Has anyone else hit a specific dollar amount where they felt like they were just burning cash for tiny gains?
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charlie371mo ago
The black levels thing is usually the biggest tell for budget vs high end projectors, but your DIY screen might actually help with that more than you think lol. That said, your point about the sound being fuller at your friend's place is exactly where the extra money goes, subs alone can cost as much as your whole build. Diminishing returns hit hard around $500 for sure, you're paying a lot for that last 10-15% once you pass that point.
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