Dedicated home theater
The basement or bonus room you actually want to use. Projector, screen, surround sound, the works. We handle throw ratios, speaker placement, and all the wiring so you get a real theater, not an expensive room that sits empty.
Home Theater & Whole-Home Audio in Chicago
From a soundbar upgrade to a dedicated projector room, we handle the full setup.
Home theater & audio services
Projectors, surround sound, whole-home audio, or just a better living room setup. We'll help you figure out what actually makes sense for how you watch and listen.
Projects we handle
Living room media setup
Where you actually spend most of your time watching. Whether it's a soundbar that finally makes dialogue clear, a full surround system with a subwoofer and rears, or something in between, we'll talk through what fits your space and how you actually watch before you spend.
Whole-home audio
Music in every room, controlled from your phone. We set up multi-zone systems using Sonos, WiiM, or AirPlay-compatible amps so you can play the same thing everywhere or different audio in each room. One tap, it just works.
Projectors
Big screen without the big TV. We measure throw distance, calculate screen size, and mount the projector where it disappears. Recessed flush in the ceiling, tucked into a soffit, or out in the open if that's the room. UST, short throw, or traditional, we've installed them all.
Outdoor audio
Patio speakers, pool setups, or covered porch sound. If you're out there every day, we'll run the wiring and do it right. If you're not, we'll tell you straight: a good Bluetooth speaker is probably all you need.
Legacy system modernization
House came with an old audio system or speakers in the ceiling that don't work? We'll keep the speakers that still work, pull the old equipment that doesn't, and connect everything to modern amps with AirPlay, Bluetooth, and real streaming support.
Honest recommendations
We'll tell you what you actually need, not what costs the most. If your existing speakers work, we'll use them. If a Bluetooth speaker makes more sense than a permanent install, we'll say so.
Wire concealment
Cables run inside the wall where the build allows, or channeled cleanly when it doesn't. No dangling cords behind your equipment.
System calibration
We dial in the settings so it actually sounds good in your room. Dialogue clear, bass balanced, no rattling or distortion.
Integration check
Before we leave, everything talks to everything. Your phone controls the system, the remote works, and inputs switch correctly.
Cleanup
We haul out the packaging, vacuum the work area, and leave the room cleaner than we found it.
Walkthrough and personalization
We make sure you know how to use it. Apps organized, settings optimized, favorite channels up front. No mystery buttons.
Check out recent home theater and audio projects
A few home theater and audio jobs from around Chicagoland.
How home theater installation works
01
Reach out
Call, text, or send a few details through the form. Tell us what you're looking to build and any room details that might matter.
02
Consultation
We come out, look at the space, and figure out what you've got to work with. What's salvageable, what needs replacing, and what makes sense for how you'll actually use it.
03
Order parts
Once we know the plan, we source the equipment. You can buy it yourself or we can pick it up. Either way, we'll make sure you're not overspending.
04
We install
We handle the full installation, tune the system, and walk you through everything before we leave.
We work with what you've got
Whatever speakers, receiver, or streaming gear you already own, we can work with it. If you're starting fresh, we'll help you pick equipment that fits your room and your budget without overspending.
Don't see your brand? We've probably worked with it. Just ask.
Home theater & audio pricing
Most audio and home theater jobs come in around $200 to $400, depending on how many speakers, how much wiring, and whether we're setting up new gear or reviving an existing system. Full projector rooms and whole-home audio typically run higher based on scope.
Phone estimates are free. Send a few photos of the room and equipment, or hop on a quick FaceTime, and we can usually give you a number on the spot.
How we price
$200
First hour. Covers most soundbar installs and basic setups.
$150
Per hour after that. Prorated to the quarter-hour, so you only pay for the time the job actually takes.
Free
Phone estimates. Send photos or hop on a call and we'll talk through cost before any work begins.
* Travel fees may apply for suburb jobs.
Common questions
Don't see your question here? Text or call Grant, happy to walk you through it.
We serve the entire City of Chicago and the surrounding North Shore suburbs. Common city neighborhoods include Andersonville, Bucktown, Gold Coast, Hyde Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Old Town, Pilsen, River North, Roscoe Village, The Loop, West Loop, and Wicker Park. Suburban areas (subject to a travel fee) include Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Wilmette, and Winnetka. For projects within Chicago city limits there's no additional travel fee. For suburban locations a travel fee may apply to cover transit time, and we'll discuss it upfront during the initial consultation so there are no surprises on the final invoice.
Either works. If you've already bought speakers, a receiver, or a projector, we'll install it. Or we can recommend gear that fits your room and budget. We don't mark up equipment, so feel free to buy it yourself and save a few bucks, or we can pick it up and bring it with us.
You don't need a dedicated room. A living room setup with a quality soundbar or surround system can sound great and gets used every day. That said, if you have the space for a dedicated theater, we can help you build something special with a projector, proper acoustics, and seating. It really comes down to how you watch and where you spend your time. We'll help you figure out what makes sense.
Yes. We aim for a seamless, cohesive setup. Receivers and amps go in cabinets, closets, or a separate equipment room. Speaker wires run inside walls where possible, or through clean channels that blend in. You get the sound without the clutter.
It depends on the room and how you watch. A good soundbar with a subwoofer handles most living rooms just fine, especially for everyday TV and streaming. If you're into movies and want that immersive feel with sound coming from behind you, surround sound is worth it. We can look at your space and talk through what you're hoping to get out of it. No need to overbuy if a soundbar does the job.
Usually, yes. A lot of homes have in-ceiling or in-wall speakers from a previous system that just need modern equipment to bring them back to life. We can reuse the speakers and wiring, swap out the old receiver or amp for a streaming amplifier, and connect everything to Spotify, Apple Music, AirPlay, or whatever you use. You'd be surprised how much of the existing setup is still good.
Music in multiple rooms, all controlled from your phone. You can play the same thing everywhere, or different audio in each zone. Modern setups use AirPlay, Bluetooth, or Sonos so you just tap a button and pick which rooms get sound. If your house has existing speaker wiring, we can usually reuse it and just swap the brains.
A soundbar takes about an hour. A surround sound system in a single room is usually 2 to 4 hours depending on wiring. Full home theater builds and whole-home audio can be a full day or spread across two visits. We'll give you a time estimate when we confirm the job.
Yes. We integrate with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home so you can start a movie, adjust volume, or switch inputs by voice or app. If you want to extend that control to lights, shades, or thermostats (dimming the lights when the movie starts, for example), that's where our smart home integration work comes in.
Reviewed by Chicago homeowners
Rishi S.
If you need help with AV in your home or outdoor area, this is the guy to ask. Excellent work finding a perfect surround sound audio system for my home, basement theater, screen, projector, the whole gambit. Very responsive to answer questions, and even came back another day after everything was set up to ensure it was working properly.
Jack G.
Grant was so easy to work with and friendly. He was able to not only find an affordable solution to my problem, but he identified even more items that he could fix very easily. Our home speaker system went from not being able to connect to anything, to now having a surround sound TV viewing experience and I can control music throughout the house from my phone.
Jen F.
Excellent service! Grant was quick to respond and completed the job quickly and resolved issues with our sound system throughout our home. He was very professional, knowledgeable and reasonably priced! I would highly recommend Spensley Smart Homes!
Ready to talk through your home theater & audio setup?
Whether it's a soundbar, a full home theater, or speakers in every room, Grant's happy to walk you through it.