1) I would like to minimize cost and maximize my listening experience, call it budget audiophile, respecting the law of diminishing returns, whatever - I just don't want to spend $ .01 more than necessary on equipment I don't need/won't use/won't add reasonable value to my listening experience.
My recommendation is perhaps to start with a pair of cheap bookshelf type speakers first and decide if that's truly "enough". The leaders in this category tend to be Behringer 2030p and Ascend 170 although there are others if you're interested in going this route.
2) Music is my #1 priority. I listen to all kinds of music but I would say the genres I listen to most, in order, are: rock, pop, jazz and then some classical. I'm not a big fan of cranking up the bass. That's not to say I don't like bass, I just like it to be balanced and clean. That said, Almost all of my music is mp3 (256 - 320 kbps.) It's all bought from online stores (zune, amazon, itunes, etc) so quality wise it's as good/consistent as it gets for MP3 (at least for the amount of effort I am will to put into it.)
The #1 rule of being a good speaker is generally
"Flat on and off axis frequency response" so whatever you look into I highly recommend finding a graph to make sure you've got a balanced looking speaker within a 4db or so db window (especially above 300hz or so for in room measurements... below that the room sometimes comes into play on the graphs). You also want a loudspeaker load which won't be too affected by your amplification.
3) Movies/TV is secondary - I am assuming that if a system does a good job with music I will be reasonably satisfied with movies/TV.
well, the center can make or break the experience so even if the mains are good for music the center might not be right. Besides that keep in mind that some brands are tuned with a bit of an emphasis on treble and bass in order to appeal to people during auditions. The consequence being that when you watch movies and TV, vocals are recessed. So you do want good musical speakers but they need to be musical speakers designed for reproduction, not musical speakers designed to impress you at a hi fi shop.
4) I would like a system that is capable of playing music that can be heard throughout my main floor (average sized living, dining, kitchen, family rooms - ~ 1200 sq feet.) It doesn't have to be able to blow your hair back 3 rooms away but I would like it to be loud enough to be enjoyed while washing dishes, throwing a dinner parties, bb-qing in the backyard with the windows open, etc)
As I said, perhaps the best approach would be to first purchase two bookshelves and test them out. See if they're loud enough and sound good enough. If not, move them to the back as surrounds and get some 2.5 way towers or something.
3) I would also like to do some focused/critical listening – I’d like to spend some time sitting in the sweet spot with a drink in my hand and one of my favorite albums playing. Clarity and quality is important to me - I would like the experience to be as natural/neutral as possible. I don't know that I wouldn't go so far as to call myself an audiophile (only because I know I will be told off if I do so, considering my budget) but I would like to remove equipment limitations/distractions from the equation, as much as reasonably possible, considering my data source and budget.
Well, let's start by knowing your budget...!
4) My primary, and potentially sole, source of data will be a Windows Media Center PC. I may add a game console but don't see having more than 2 or 3 devices - I expect all will be connected via hdmi.
I recommend a B-STock, old-model receiver instead of a brand new 3D ready networking receiver. You can get a marantz sr5004 from accessories4less for example.
5) I would like the setup to be reasonably pleasing to the eye. I don't want anything that looks cheap or too "unique"
I own EMP e55tis and IMO they're remarkably pleasing to the eye, sound great, and can get cleanly louder than your ears need. Perhaps try out an EMP e5Bi for starters? You can get it from EMP's website or from Amazon. I'm also a fan of the classic piano gloss finish of Aperion speakers. And imo Usher S520s are another gorgeous looking speaker, although that one may have its output limitations if you do not cross it to a subwoofer.
Magnepan MMGs are a rather musical of choice as well with the elegant look of an electrostat. Not sure if you consider that "unique" or not.
Speakers - again, I don't want to spend a penny more than necessary - Is paradigm the way to go? If I'm using a sub and set the crossover correctly will the atoms be as good as, or at least close to, the minis and titans? If not, which speakers would you choose and why (considering I will be primarily listening to high quality MP3s)?
Hmm. I've auditioned paradigms a few times and never come out with my jaw on the floor. I've yet to hear the signatures but otherwise I definitely recommend you at least "look around" at other options. Besides the ones I've already named above, also look into NHT, Infinity, Energy, and PSB. You may also want to consider a DIY Kit - truly the MAXIMUM bang for your buck if you can do the woodworking.
Sub - does the additional range and power of the STF-2 justify the cost? Considering my source (primarily high quality MP3s) and speakers would the STF-2 be wasted money, in the sense I would never realize the true benefit without moving up to a more powerful set of speakers?
You said your room was open and rather large, right? In that case I think for starters a ported sub is a must, and an 8" like an STF-1 could sound strained.
Also look into budget ported sub offerings by EMP Tek, LavaSub, Dayton, and Infinity among others. HSU makes nice budget subs though. If you really want to maximize your money you should really consider, again, a DIY box. You could get a peerless, dayton, or CSS 12" woofer and make a quality ported box with nice SQ and output.
The one exception I would call out is support for HDMI 1.4a - I would like the option of going 3D one day and really like the idea of HDMI pass-through.
Yikes. There goes my previous suggestion! Do realize that a lot of 3D Blu Ray players will output 3D on one HDMI 1.4 output and output audio on another HDMI 1.3 output..
If you get the impression I am over thinking this you are probably right but I'm really trying to avoid second guessing myself down the road. When all is said and done I just want to enjoy the music.
No such thing as overthinking when it comes to your hard earned money
