How to Build the Perfect Home Cinema Without a Dedicated Room.
Big-screen thrills in an ordinary living room.
By Daniel HartmannHardware Reviewer
The dream of a dedicated home cinema is out of reach for most of us. Fortunately, modern TVs, projectors and soundbars make a cinematic experience possible in an ordinary living room.
We set up three living rooms of different sizes to test what works.
The best results came from balancing picture, sound and light control rather than spending heavily on one component.
Picture
A large OLED or mini-LED TV offers the best all-round performance in rooms with daylight. Projectors excel after dark.
Sound
A quality soundbar with a wireless subwoofer delivers most of the impact of a full surround system with none of the cables.
Light control
Blackout curtains are the most cost-effective upgrade of all. Contrast improves dramatically in a dark room.
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