Home theater calibration: why professional tuning matters.
2026-09-28 · Obsidian Audio Video · Houston
You spent $30,000 on a home theater. The projector is mounted, the speakers are placed, the screen is tensioned. It sounds good. It looks good. But "good" is not "right." Professional calibration is the difference between a home theater that sounds good and one that sounds the way the filmmaker intended.
Video calibration
A professional video calibrator uses a colorimeter to measure the projector or TV's output and adjust white balance, color accuracy, gamma, brightness, contrast, and HDR tone mapping.
Audio calibration
Audio calibration uses a calibrated microphone and measurement software to set speaker distances, levels, crossovers, EQ the room, and integrate the subwoofer.
What it costs
- Video calibration: $400–$800
- Audio calibration (basic): $500–$1,000
- Full system calibration: $1,000–$2,500
- Trinnov calibration (gold standard): $2,500–$5,000
Need calibration? Explore home theater services or call 346-357-5323.