This is great. Exactly the input I was hoping to get. Thank you so much.
Dare I say it in this forum, I had a BOSE AM-5 setup. While I liked them their limitations were apparent. Especially as front speakers for video.
Regarding speakers, I'm very open to this because the more I read, the more options I see are available. I was particularly impressed when I watched Gene's video on setting up a $1500 home theater and he recommended using a particular dual woofer speaker as a center channel. I've found that speakers are the one component that cannot be purchased based on a spec sheet. They have to be heard. I'll definitely seek out and check the brands you're suggesting above. Fortunately, I live in the northeast (NJ and work in NYC) so finding someplace to hear them shouldn't be a problem.