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I review TVs and audio gear for a living, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise that I’m a huge film buff and home theater enthusiast. When I watch movies in my living room, I want to experience them on an extra-large screen and with as many speakers as I can fit in my apartment. After covering AV (audio-video) products for more than a decade, I’ve used my expertise to build my own dream home theater system.
Over the years, I’ve pieced together these components to fit within my budget and space. From a 77-inch OLED and affordable media console to a powerful Dolby Atmos surround sound system and 4K streaming player, these products deliver the movie- and TV-watching experience I’ve always wanted.
If you’re looking for recommendations to put together your own entertainment system, these items are all great options that continue to deliver excellent performance. However, a few of the devices I own are no longer sold or have been replaced by newer models, so I’ve recommended similar alternatives in those cases.
An extra-large OLED 4K TV
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LG 77-inch C3 OLED 4K TV
LG’s C3 OLED offers an infinite contrast ratio with perfect black levels that disappear into a dark room. Its color performance can’t quite match that of Samsung’s OLEDs that use quantum dots, but the 77-inch C3 is often a bit cheaper than Samsung’s rival option at this size.
A good display is the centerpiece of any home theater, and, as far as I’m concerned, the bigger, the better. After seeing the distance between my couch and the living room wall, I splurged on a 77-inch 4K OLED to get that big movie theater feel. The best OLED TVs are pricier than QLED and LED options, but they offer a big jump in black-level performance, which leads to a top-notch movie-watching experience in a dark room. Check out our QLED vs. OLED guide for more details on the pros and cons of each.
I own LG’s CX OLED from 2020, but that model has been replaced by the 2023 C3 and 2024 C4, which offer a brighter picture and improved image processing. I also recommend the 77-inch Samsung S90D OLED as an alternative. The S90D typically costs a bit more but has an edge in color performance. Samsung didn’t sell OLEDs when I bought my TV, but if the S90 series was around back then, it would have been a top contender for my setup.
For more big-screen display recommendations from other brands, check out our guides to the best TVs, best 4K TVs, and best 75-inch TVs.
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This affordable Walker Edison media console has everything I need. It’s one of the best TV stands for larger displays and offers an understated look with a wide 70-inch surface. I also love its six storage cubbies which are large enough to house all my components and open enough to offer solid airflow. Many TV consoles have closed cabinets which aren’t good for storing electronics that can overheat, or smaller shelves that can’t fit big devices like an AV receiver. Build quality isn’t on par with pricier pieces of furniture, but it gets the job done for my needs without any issues.
A mount to keep my display on the wall
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Rocketfish Tilting TV Wall Mount
This Rocketfish TV mount supports displays up to 90 inches. It doesn’t pull out from the wall, but it does offer basic titling.
To fix LG’s massive display on my living room wall, I opted for this simple Rocketfish mount. It offers some range to tilt the screen and shift it horizontally, but it doesn’t pull out for full swiveling support. I also opted for Best Buy’s mounting service, so I didn’t have to worry about dropping a 77-inch TV. For more options, check out our guide to the best TV wall mounts.
A complete Dolby Atmos speaker system
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