Reinaldo Valenzuela wrote:
OK. Makes sense. I see the point that speakers are the weakest link on the chain
and where most of the money should go.

Now, what would you recommend as front-left, front-right speakers for around
$500.
I assume this would be full range ?

Tough one. Full range basically means a large tower or a subwoofer
later on. Honestly, most movies are fine without a subwoofer, so
get one in a year or two. That leaves you with large bookshelf
type speakers.

Three choices come to mind:
Tannoy makes their MXm line. It's going to be hard to beat this for
quality. A pair of MXm-2 speakers are excellent choices and at $350
a pair, are not too expensive. The center channel is a bit over your
budget, so get a single speaker to use as a center - it's shielded.
Use it later on for the rear center on the 6.1 system.
Oh - that's retail price - so haggle some. You should be able to get
three MXm2 speakers for about $500. They make smaller ones as well,
so you could go for the real center and some MXm1s as a second choice.
Decent bass.
www.tannoyna.com (finally got their U.S. site up!)

Ascend Acoustics makes their line of speakers. Really tough to
beat for the price. Not as good looking, or as low bass as the Tannoys,
IMO, but for under $500, this (insert semi-violent analogy of your choice)
the speakers from Circuit City and the other mass marketers.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/
The 170s work find as a center channel, btw - you can get the dedicated
unit later on.
Three CBM-170s are $488+14 Shipping =$502(tax in California, though)
Not much bass, though, until you get a sub.

Lastly, something like the above speakers, but used. KEF Cresta/Coda,
Tannoy M/MX/MXm, Mirage FRx, and several others are good choices used.