I had a pair of HLS 610s that I used for years with my PC. As a matter of fact, I just lent them to my parents last month, and they were blown away by how much of an improvement they were over the cheap Sony bookshelf speakers they'd been using. Those particular ones were raved in the audio press; in fact, Corey Greenberg wrote that they represented JBLs return to serious hi-fi. I'd still be using them now if I hadn't found a good deal on some Monitor Audio Bronze B2's (with crossovers replaced by Rick Craig of Selah Audio).
The HLS line is a tremendous value, and I was disappointed to see them discontinued in favor of the vastly inferior Northwood line. Truly a pity.
An interesting note: like Legairre I'm a big Monitor Audio fan. Just for kicks I once compared the JBLs to a pair of Bronze 2's (the predecessor to the Bronze B series), side by side. Switching back and forth I was more impressed by the similarities than the differences. High praise as the Bronzes were about 50% more expensive. After careful comparison I found the MAs were a bit smoother with a bit more natural treble, but the JBLs had a bit tighter and more extended bass. I was impressed enough to compare them to my bedroom speakers, a pair of mass loaded Monitor Audio Bronze 3's. There the MA's started to pull away in all catagories, but they cost 2 or 3 times what I paid for the JBLs.
This is a long post for speakers so inexpensive! Note, I say "inexpensive", not cheap. The JBL HLS line was truly exceptional. Were I in your position I would run, not walk, to wherever you saw them for that price. With the caveat that one man's mead is another man's poison (ie we won't all like the same sound) I'd say those speakers are as close to a no-brainer as you can get.
NOTE: I've never heard a JBL sub that I can think of, so I don't know if they're any good or not. But the HLS speakers are steal. Just where did you see that deal, anyways?
