Do you have a "man-cave"?

**ScrimpAndSave** · 09-24-2009, 06:57 AM

That's kinda cute...

**Broken Arrow** · 09-24-2009, 07:27 AM

I've always had one, but nothing that fancy.

Right now, it's just my computer, desk, chair, and a small 5.1 home theater audio set. But as a frugal, I also try to set it up so that it's as affordable as possible without sacrificing too much quality.

For example, I used to have game consoles, but I don't anymore when I upgraded my PC for gaming. It's not the cheapest route, but I tend to lean towards PC games anyway. And with the upgrade, it also eliminates the need for me to have any gaming consoles.

My monitor is only 24", but since I sit only about a foot and a half away, the relative screen size is akin to sitting in the middle of a small movie theater, believe it or not.

Nor am I sacrificing quality, because the monitor is also 1080p capable, and the PC is fitted with a Blu-ray drive. So, I can watch high def like anybody else and still not miss any of details and nuances that Blu-ray is capable of.

With home audio, I picked a Denon/Boston Acoustics bundle. The price is low for home theater, but the "canvas" range on the speakers is actually quite competent, and the receiver is more than versatile enough to handle any of my future needs. The only "downside" is that they max out at 120watts, which doesn't translate to a being able to cover anything beyond a 10'x10' space. However, the room that they are currently set up in is still within the limits of that space.

More often than not, I'm using my Sennheiser headphones anyway. It's studio quality, although I think the high range is lacking. Fortunately, it's nothing that EQ can't compensate for. The best part is that the price was really good on it. I could have easily spent two or three times as much and still end up getting about the same audio. On top of that, it also has one of the best built-in mic I've ever seen for non-studio mics.

Since I currently live alone most of the time, I suppose you can call the whole place as my man-cave, but I usually have a room that's designated for it. Because it's designed for just myself, I admit it's not ideal for social gatherings. However, the upside to the design is being able to do it without spending much and sacrificing very little quality in the process.

**mommyof4** · 09-24-2009, 07:29 AM

Hubby's man cave is out in an office in part of the barn- tv, wireless internet access, and all of his tools are within close proximity.

**disneysteve** · 09-24-2009, 07:40 AM

I wish. Other than sitting in a very crowded spare bedroom with 3 desks, 2 computers, a couple of bookcases, a filing cabinet, an electric piano, etc., I've got nothing. Our house isn't that big. Nowhere to put anything else. Besides, I'd never spend the money for a big TV or fancy sound system or any of that fluff.

**elessar78** · 09-24-2009, 07:53 AM

Man cave? No, not yet but really I dream of a Man-Barn. I hope to buy a farm with a barn that I can convert into my own indoor sports arena where I can shoot hoops and play indoor soccer. I'd have to set up a TV and PS3 console (just like to point out that I don't have a PS3 because I can't bring myself to spend $300 on a toy) there too with a couch. This stuff will probably have to go in the "loft" of the barn.

**EEinNJ** · 09-24-2009, 07:55 AM

My wife would probably say I have TWO man caves. One is a small "bedroom" that's an office, with 2 computers, files, bookshelves, CD collection, guitars, bows & arrows, a closet full of bike clothes, camo, etc. Then in the basement is a workshop with bench, tools, bikes & parts, more archery gear, electronics stuff. No AV club in either, though.

**project15** · 09-24-2009, 08:19 AM

Oh yeah...and I've always referred to it as the man cave too since it's in the basement. It started with a dream and evolved into a Home Theater PC (HTPC) projecting onto an 88" permanent screen indented in the wall. Of course it has 5.1 audio as any true media room should have at minimum. To kick it off, it has a 1TB hard drive to store all the music, movies, and recorded tv I could ever want. It's perfect. The whole setup probably cost $600 with the projector being $400. Everything else was either cheap to make or I got for free.

**MonkeyMama** · 09-24-2009, 08:34 AM

My spouse has 2 man caves.

A home theater a la Project15. Most people we know spent more on their TVs. But we have a room dedicated to 8 foot+ viewing pleasure. It is definitely a man cave because I am not much of a movie person and so never go in there.

My spouse also has a room for all his electronic crap. I got a "nook" for my office pretty much because don't have as much crap.

Of course, we would both love to get a pool table some day. The room we have earmarked for it can't fit much else. Of course, I would love to convert our useless vaulted ceiling into a loft. That would be perfect for pool table, gaming, a drum kit, etc. (We are into movies, games, and instruments). I keep wondering how expensive it could be to put in a floor (since the upper half of the room already has lighting, windows, and vents). So a "floor" is all we really need for a loft. I know I know, probably too expensive! But we don't have basements here. What I would really love is a basement!

**wincrasher** · 09-24-2009, 09:02 AM

I may need an intervention.

Yesterday I ordered a second 72" Samsung DLP for the man-cave. It's replacing the 57" Hitachi that my nephews have declared inadequate. So we have two 72" screens in there. We also got a matrix switchbox so that we can feed any video feed to both sets or either one independantly.

For movies we have the AppleTV box and stream from the mac that has a 16TB Drobo Pro attached that has many, many movies on it. Sometimes we do blu-ray on the PS3.

Sigh. I did save $600 bucks on the TV buying thru Amazon though.

**autoxer** · 09-24-2009, 09:07 AM

Oh yeah, I have a couple Man-cave's. But mine are filled with tools and projects instead of big screens and video games. My basement is a woodworking shop and my garage is for working on cars. I wouldn't waste valuable garage space for a couch and TV, when that stuff is perfectly fine in the living room.

**disneysteve** · 09-24-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by wincrasher View Post

I did save $600 bucks on the TV buying thru Amazon though.

I hope I never buy a TV on which I'm able to save $600.

**wincrasher** · 09-24-2009, 09:19 AM

I'm hoping to save even more money in the winter - the heat off these two beasts is amazing.

**segmond** · 09-24-2009, 09:52 AM

nope, i have a library, filled with books and chairs and a laptop, plus radio. that's my cave. i close the french doors if i don't want to be bothered.

**Broken Arrow** · 09-24-2009, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by wincrasher View Post

I'm hoping to save even more money in the winter - the heat off these two beasts is amazing.

Summer heat is an issue, even for my smallish setup.

I recently bought a room AC, but in the process, have reduced the central AC, if not eliminated altogether. Tracking through the past three months, I experienced an electric bill savings of roughly $100. Kept my gear and myself plenty cool in the process.

But yeah, come winter time, I usually use only a room radiator. That and with my setup is typically enough to keep me warm.

Do you have a "man-cave"?