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features of a quality receiver will be absolutely worthless if the signal is lost in translation due to cheap cables or poorly reproduced by budget speakers. Listen to different speaker sets to get an idea of what kind of quality you need, but buy the top-of-the-line cables no matter what. Cables are something not a lot of people consider when purchasing a system, since the demo systems in the stores are always equipped with the best. However, those little wires make a big difference. A small investment here can result in a big improvement in sound quality!

2. Skip the sub woofer. The sub woofer is a large, expensive speaker that puts out very low frequencies at very high decibel ratings. The only purpose of such a thing is to irritate the neighbors by turning up the base on your music until the earth shakes. Some people enjoy having a sub woofer, but when buying on a budget, it should be the first thing to go. You'll save a fortune without sacrificing any sound quality when it comes to normal use.

Part III: the installation.

1.Having speakers installed in the ceiling creates an amazing surround sound effect and could potentially add value to your home (assuming you're not a renter). However, it also costs a great deal and will mean you can't take your speakers with you if you move. Budget-minded buyers should settle for perching the speakers on end tables or shelves.

2. Cables can be run around the edge of the room or under an area rug to keep people from tripping and knocking the speakers over. However, wireless speakers just might be worth the cost since they allow for easy placement and movement.

Part IV: the rest.

1. We all know what it takes to save money on a TV. Get the smallest screen you can live with and don't pay up for a flat panel. If you truly crave a big-screen experience, consider a projector and screen. This set-up will allow you to have a much larger viewing area than you could ever afford otherwise and will give your home theater room the look and feel of an actual movie theater. The picture quality is pretty good, but not what you've come to expect from a high definition display.

2. Make sure to finish out your home theater with comfortable furniture where everyone can hear and see as well as possible. You'll also want to find a way to darken the room for watching movies or playing games during the day. Even the best TV won't look good with a bright glare. A basement room is a great choice for home theater for this reason, but if you must use an upstairs room, make sure the windows have light blocking curtains or blinds.

Part V: where to buy.

I can honestly say that I've found web shopping to be a waste of time when it comes to electronics. Best Buy and Circuit City have consistently turned out to have the best prices, as well as the advantage of being able to try the equipment before buying. I also appreciate the comfort of knowing that I can easily return a defective item without paying shipping costs. Interestingly enough, Wal-Mart and Target don't offer any price advantage over the major electronics chains and has less selection. If you can find what you want at a discount store, buy all means buy it. However, don't expect any fantastic deals.

The only real way to save money is by avoiding the small electronics stores where commissioned salesmen try to sell you a system with all the bells and whistles.

Learn more about this author, Raven Lebeau.
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