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| Home Theater Cost |  $3,500 Balanced AV System
See the following entry-level system organized to balance the desire for optimal quality of both video and audio aspects of the room. Main things you should remember that this could be a front projection system (no screen, DIY screen, or an inexpensive pull-down "starter" product), or a flat panel or rear projection system depending upon the desirable screen size. Customers in this category are going to take advantage of purchasing last year's models and not trying to own the latest and greatest. If you already have some of the required equipment, then you can redistribute your budget or do partial upgrades of your system (front speakers only, for instance).
• 43% loudspeakers = $1,505
• 36% display = $1,260
• 14% AV receiver = $490
• 4% DVD player = $140
• 3% cables = $105
$5,000 Audio-centric System
If the audio aspects of your system are favored, you need to choose this kind of system. While the display may look under-funded, realize that if you concentrate on 480p front projection or a smaller rear-projection LCD model you may be astonished at what you can find. Last year's models will win the day here, with a prior year's receiver bringing in a colossal value as opposed to the newest products.
• 54% loudspeakers = $2,700
• 20% display = $1,000
• 16% AV receiver = $800
• 7% DVD player = $350
• 3% cables = $150
 $7,500 Audio-centric System
At this price point things begin to get very subjective. The alternatives are absolutely subjective and your solutions at this point will depend on your personal desires. Let's think over some devices in this system for a moment. Don't care for the media player? Want to have a dedicated amplifier? Good, decrease the receiver budget and plan to apply a lower powered model as a pre-amplifier. Then grab at least a 2-channel dedicated amplifier and include that into the budget. This can really be done (budget-permitting) any time you see enough value under the "AV receiver" column. Don't need a display at all? You've just saved $1500!
• 49% loudspeakers = $3,675
• 20% display = $1,500
• 18% AV receiver = $1,350
• 6% DVD player = $450
• 3% cables = $225
• 2% media player = $150
• 2% remote control = $150
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