I would DEFINATELY focus your budget on the three front channels - you can go 'cheap' on the sides and rears and then upgrade later.

In my current HT system, I spent 4x on my right/center/left than I did on sides and rears. I think a timbral match for right/center/left is very important - particularly for movies where sound pans frequently occur across the three front swpeakers; not so much for sides and rears.

Simon

My Kit: 861v8+ID41, 800v4, UHD722, MD600, MS600, MS200, Oppo BDP-203, Genesis 201, Genesis 350 SE, Genesis S4-8 Sub, BG 520i, VTL MB450 II, Krell Showcase 7, Genesis 928 Subs, Danley DTS10 sub, SVS Ultra 16 subs.