I personally don't think sony receivers are that bad. They are not audiophyle quality but they aren't bose quality either. I have one that works perfectly after 6 years now powering my Axiom m60s, vp100, and qs8.
I was in your boat also before I started doing research on speakers. I'll tell you right now those Sony speakers are crap though and is the reason the Cerwin Vega sounded better. I think your budget is a little low and I think you can go higher but just don't have anything for comparison. $1500-2000 for receiver and speakers is a better budget and will take you from average to very good. There are a lot of very good systems in that price range. Past it you start to get diminishing returns. If you can afford a 62" TV, than you can afford a good audio system to go with it. Let me tell you, if you watch any movies or action shows in HD on TV, than a good 5.1 system will give you at least as much satisfaction as the big screen. IMO, and I am not a crazy audio guy, my surround system is more important to the enjoyment of movies than the big screen TV (and most of that comes from the big bang SVS pb-12 sub).
I'll also tell you that setting up the speakers correctly is very important to the overall satisfaction. Postion and level and very important. People here can help you with that.
I'm going to recomend the SVS system with a PB-12. Now i'm not an expert and the other guys here can correct me if I am wrong, but at normal volume levels your wife would allow and normal guys listen too, Bookshelf speakers will be able to fill your room.
I'll also recomend the Axiom m22, vp100, and qs4 or 8 system with an SVS pb-12.
If you can't tell, i love my pb-12
