Due to my cable provider being MIA, I've had to watch video in my tiny "office" which has a rather nice 7.1 Yamaha/NHT sound system. The video card goes to one of the HDMI inputs and out to the monitor.
Now understand, I've always poo-pooed surround sound for video. I can only barely tolerate in the theater. But 7.1, even when simulated, adds an amazing new dimension to the experience and now I can't go back.
But that means finishing my new HTPC build and upgrading the less than stellar 7.1 system in that room. That is going to be quite costly if I go with all NHT speakers and I'm really not interested in downgrading.
I think I'll spring for 2 new bookshelf speakers for front left/right and keep the rest of the Polk speakers for now. The fl and fr are just way too muddy compared to NHT. Their recovery time is lightning fast in a class with much more expense products.