So I am in college and I managed to get a good deal on a Denon AVR-788 and a pair of Polk Monitor 50- towers and the Polk PSW 111.. just couldn't pony up the dough for the A7s... and i am running 14 AWG wire to banana plugs on all ends...but I had a lot of help on that and now I am a bit stuck. I am looking to make my system more complete but I am not sure if our apartment next year can handle a 5.1 so I know this is a noob question but is it possible or even reasonable to run a 3.1 system (2 fronts and 1 center)? I have been eying the Polk Monitor 40s and the CS1 to complete the set with the same brand. Does that sound reasonable? I will have a few hundred to spend in a few months maybe between 300 and 500 so I can't splurge for too much high quality speakers. Any information on my questions would be appreciated and any help on the speakers would be great.

Thanks

Yes, 3.1 will be fine. Many people run this set-up for HT. The CS1 is the match for your Monitor 50's and will go perfectly together. If you do decide to try out the 5.1, save some cash and go with Monitor 30's, instead of the 40's. The 30's will blend well in the surround roll and it will not be worth the extra money to use the 40's in your situation. I don't believe you will find any room larger than a broom closet incapable of 5.1. I have 70's, 50's, 30's and CS2 in 7.1 in my 11x11 apartment bedroom HT.

hey thanks very much Mike... i am going to look at both of those... too bad shipping is astronomical for these type of things