Allright GERLZ....(yes, girls)...I've been listening to the raging debate on 16 different forums for the past few years, so let me assist, if I may.
I'm an audiophile. I don't have Harmon Khardon, or Bang & Olufsen. I have Sony, Onkyo, and a 35-year-old Sansui receiver with 45lb speakers (solid oak cabinets, about 1" thick, with a 12" bass, 10" mid, and 4" tweeter). 180Watts. I can't turn the volume past half or I won't have windows in my house. Or hearing.
However, modern recordings (of, oh, say the past 10 years) push the audible range beyond what my poor Sansui can handle (lots of rumbling from the bass...poor things).
So, a few years ago I started poking around. I know several professional audio folks (one is a Home Theater Architect, who gets paid ridiculuous amounts of money to create specific HT setups for people who buy Mercedes 500's like candy).
I've been a musician (including violin and piano) for most of my life, though not professionally speaking.
It's been noted by several doctors that my hearing is way above and below the normal human audio range.
Enough of the credentials.
Here's the meat.....
For those who are willing to spend over $1k (which precludes the majority of AT posters....if you can easily blow this amount, what're you doing HERE? ), there are nice places like Tweeter and Ovation that'll sell you very expensive, albeit incredible sounding, audio and video components. You will spend a large sum, but have an audio system that'll have lightsabers flying around your head (and through it, I might add).
I've listened to $3,000 speaker systems, specifically the Lord of the Rings, and heard sounds I didn't know existed. It was mesmerizing. So was the price
I've listened to the cheapie KLH speakers (and less, I might add), and heard decent sound, but nothing to write home about.
For those of us with champagne taste and beer budgets, the middle of the road must do.
Recommendations:
RECEIVER----
Sherwood does make a good receiver. That $80 receiver posted previously will do. And I mean do. It won't blow you away, but it will give you a decent signal.
I HIGHLY recommend, as stated previously, the YHT-5550 receiver from Yamaha. Yamaha makes some of THE best receivers out there. It's a shame we can't speak the same quality to their speakers.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...22875-3455243?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846
$229 at Amazon, I haven't finished digging around to see if I can find it cheaper. Bundle that with a good discount from Amazon (like free shipping, or a discount off x-purchase), and you end up with a damned good receiver.
This particular receiver is the standard used by several audio stores in my area when showing off speakers (ie, speaker rooms). I always find it amusing the HK/Denon/BO units are in another room. Speaks for itself.
This is not by any means stating any other receiver is 'bad'. Absolutely not. It's as stated previously up to YOUR ear. However, if you want to hit the bullseye without blowing the wad, this is the place to start.
SPEAKERS---
Same thing with the Fluances....without buying the $200/speaker Athenas (and you still don't have rears or a sub), you get DAMNED good sound for $200. These come highly recommended by the authorities stated above for the average home user who doesn't want to blow $1,000 on an HT system.
We're up to ~$450 at this point, roughly including shipping and discounts.
SUB--
This is definitely one point where it's up to the individual. I like a solid-sounding base, for example, without the 'boom' or 'hmf!' a lot of younger folks seem to be hooked on (I blame Bazooka for this ). As stated previously, if a T-Rex is stomping, I should hear and feel it.
Hope this helps.