Also, in this price range, am I honestly going to be able to tell a difference from my old Bose speakers? If so, will it be a mild change or a whole new world?QUOTE]
based on the speakers in your price range that I have heard, the change from Bose will be more like a whole new world.
Speakers I have heard include:
Aperion
Paradigm (Cinema and Performance series)
Boston Acoustics (CR series)
there are a few others that I can't remember the names of.