Around $6,000... While this is an audio-first forum, I don't think anything is more important than the display in the HT. In any case, the one aspect that is so important for both areas is the room. What colors are you planning to have the walls/floor/ceiling, and how good is the light control? If you have poor light control, THEN I would say yeah, go ahead and compromise on the video, and throw it on the audio.
$700 for a modest screen is healthy. Since you are willing to spend on screen, and it will be smaller, I would price some AT (acoustically transparent) screens. Not the perforated type, but the weaves. Yes, they are very expensive, but then you can pull off 3 identical towers/bookshelves, all installed vertically, with tweeters on the same horizontal plane. Just doing this would give you a better setup than 99% of us hobbyists, and that's regardless of your chosen electronics. I couldn't pull this off, but if I were in your shoes...
Going by the screen chosen, I figure the room is not too huge. Which means you won't need as much sub or amp. Acoustical treatments and bass traps will give you a relative "bang for buck" at your stated budget, and especially in a relatively modest room.
I typically choose not to buy brand new A-stock. I have 9 speakers, and only one was A stock. My PJ was open box. Have bought a pre/pro, amp, and receiver in the last two years, and they were all refurbished. Everything works and looks great.
Nice projector choices. As you will see in the projector sub-forum, BMXTRIX gives the Epson 1080UB high marks. But, that will eat close to half your budget. I would absolutely not get a 720p seeing how affordable 1080p is. I use about 40-42 viewing angle, which is not all that rare, and I am quite past the full benefit of 1080p, and most likely even past the FULL benefit of 1440p. Again, however, I have to say that if you have poor light control, getting stuff like better black levels would be a waste of money.
So $6k. THIS IS JUST ME. And assuming HT first system. I would go for about $250 each on front three speakers. $500 on sub. $250 for the rears. So far, that's $1,500. Refurbed Onkyo 805 for about $600 (or less), if just for the amp. If you fear Onkyo QC or CS, then get weaker amp section among other brands' similar price points. $3,000 on PJ. Screen is tough, because depending on tech, you can spend very little (couple hundred) to 4 digit range. Let's pretend you can get a weave for $1,000 (wishful). That's about $6k, not including cabling, rack, UPS. Cabling, go monoprice, and you will have everything you need at under $100. UPS, try APC or perhaps Belkin. If you have more money to spend, I highly recommend acoustical treatments. Years down the road, you can always add another sub, more advanced bass mgmt, RF remote, etc.
Have fun, and enjoy the process. -jostenmeat
