I'm hoping you guys can help out a newbie. We will be replacing our 8 year old TV with a Samsung PN50B860 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, replacing the entertainment center, and want to upgrade/create a new home theater around it. We haven't decided whether to hang the TV on the wall or just get a 6ft wide furniture stand. I currently have the following..
Pioneer VSX-1015TX receiver (3 years old)
Bose 301 series IV speakers front speakers (13 years old)
Infinity center channel model CC-2 (13 years old)
AR S108PS subwoofer 120W (5 years old)
Onkyo DX-C390 5 disc cd player (3 years old)
JA Audio Mini -Cube Speakers Model JA-B3 rear speakers (5 years old)
My existing setup (mostly bought while single) is pretty decent for my ears but my wife would prefer a sleeker, less obtrusive look.. e.g. cube type speakers or in wall speakers. Thus the 301s may have to go. Also, I'd like to get matching front and center speakers since I've heard that produces a better sound than non-matching speakers. Also, the rear speakers are a brand (JA Audio) I've never heard of and cost me $80 off ebay. Who knows how good/bad they really are. The family room is 14x20. See link to pictures of existing. I know the speakers aren't lined up correctly but there was really no way to get the side speakers in line without drilling into the ent center.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lithnights/HT#
PURPOSE: While I used to crank up music (radio and cds), I now have two small kids and I don't do it that often. I also don't watch as many movies as I used to but I think that will increase. Thus I imagine my main purpose for my HT is for movie watching but I don't want to get dinky speakers that won't be able to handle me cranking up the music like I do with my 301s. 5.1 is a minimum. I don't know if I want/need 6.1 and definitely not 7.1.
BUDGET: My budget for the 5 speakers plus sub is $1000-1500 or so. I don't mind spending a bit more if it's a noticeable difference. But me not being an audiophile, I imagine the law of diminishing returns would kick in and I wouldn't tell a difference.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:
1. I believe my Pioneer receiver is adequate for what I need but it does not have HDMI inputs. Is this a concern?
2. Should I keep my sub or get a new one?
3. Can I find small/sleek speakers that would rival or outperform my 301s? If not, I'll probably be looking at in wall speakers.
4. Based on my receiver and TV, do you have any suggestions or thoughts on speakers/sub?
Sorry for so much info but I figured it's better to give too much than too little. If I'm being too vague or too specific, please let me know.
Thanks in advance!