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System Option ONE

JBL Cinema Vision In-wall version •CVPD50 50-inch 720p plasma HDTV •CVR700 7.1-channel A/V receiver/DVD changer •Two SS6 front L/R in-wall speakers •SSLCR in-wall center speaker •Four SS6C ceiling surround speakers •SS88IWS dual-8-inch in-wall subwoofer Millwork version - same as above, except: •Two CVSAT50 front L/R speakers •CVCEN50 center speaker •CVSUB50 12-inch subwoofer

"We personalize the system to the needs of the homebuyer based upon their cabinetry or application at no extra charge - other than the cost for Middle Atlantic racks if they choose to have their equipment rack-mounted, which many do," says Scott Hudson, Radio Active's sales and marketing manager. Millwork is handled by the design center, which works with Radio Active to determine the layout for the buyer's system and to ensure that requirements for space, cooling, and accessibility are met. (The cost of the millwork isn't included in the system price.)

During construction, Radio Active pre-wires the home for the A/V, security, phone, and networking systems. "We've taken pre-wiring to a higher level, not just by making it standard, but by selecting the best locations within each of the six floor plans," Hudson says. "We use an industry-specific CAD program to determine the optimum placement for pre-wire."

The standard development contract calls for a GE Security Smart ConnectionCenter structured-wiring package, which Hudson calls "the backbone" of the homeowner's broadband, Internet, digital telephone, cable TV, and satellite service. He says that Radio Active also pre-wires for the JBL home theater system in the great room "using premium-grade, oxygen-free 14-gauge speaker wire, when the industry standard is 16-gauge, low-copper wire."

The partnership between JBL, Radio Active, and Drummond has several advantages. For instance, the packages have been engineered and tested to ensure they work together seamlessly. "We designed systems that give the best performance and value for the particular spaces," explains Chris Neumann, JBL's director of sales and marketing. "These homes are challenging - they have very wide-open floor plans, with great views and cavernous rooms - so optimizing systems for them really took some forethought on all of our parts."