I can speak to your option #6. I have it except I have a CS2 instead of the CS1 and four 30s for 7.1 surround. I got my 60s for $450 with a little negotiating. Sure, my system is not by any means very good. But with a limited budget, and lack of comparable speakers to test side by side it works for me. I went to several different stores to listen to my 60s and it's so amazing the difference they sound in some stores. One place I could test the 60s side by side with Monitor 40s and the 40s blew away the 60s. I couldn't believe my ears. Luckily I found a pair of 60s sounding great and bought a pair even somewhere else. When I got them home they were even better than what heard in the store. I didn't want to buy speakers I couldn't listen to first hand. The Monitor line in my opinion is a good system with a limited budget. As long as you are not too critical about your sound, and don't go listen to some $5000 sets you would be very satisfied. Hope this helps.
