I'm still contemplating which receiver I'll get and I've already got a sub. I'm looking to spend ~$1600 to complete the rest of that 7.1 Hi-Def audio equation and I've got two possibilities in mind at the moment.

Any advice as to which setup would provide better sound or even a completely different recommendation that falls within budget would be appreciated.

Option A: $1500
Fronts - Two JBL ES80 (http://www.jr.com/jbl/pe/JBL_ES80CH/)
Center - JBL ES25C (http://www.jr.com/jbl/pe/JBL_ES25CCH/)
Surrounds and Rears - Two pair JBL ES10 (http://www.jr.com/jbl/pe/JBL_ES10CH/)

Option B: $1600
Fronts - Polk TSi500 (http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_TSI500CH/)
Center - Polk CS 10 (http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_CS10CH/)
Surrounds and Rears - 2 pair - Polk TSi200 (http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_TSI200CH/)

I haven't paid attention to speakers in eight years and JBL doesn't make the S38 anymore. As such, I'm definitely winging it here. If I'm looking at crap, please let me know. Any insight at all would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edit: Crap. Both of my choices for fronts are single speakers, not pairs. I knew prices had gone up over the years but I didn't realize how much! Increasing the budget a bit to compensate...

For your budget, I'd recommend (Fronts) Paradigm Monitor 7, (Center) Paradigm CC-190, (Side) Paradigm ADP-190, (Rear) Paradigm Atom

You could also move up to the Monitor 9's and CC-290.

To help adjust budget, you could get the Atom's for the sides opposed to the ADP's.



http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-monitor7-model-2-4-1-17.paradigm

Is it possible to even get pricing on Paradigm speakers without calling a dealer? It seems that they don't sell online at all and I'm having a heck of a time finding prices. I live in Minnesota and it seems like there's only a single dealer in the Twin Cities area that carries Paradigms.

My Vote

Diva by Swans 6.1 Floorstanding $849
http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_floorstanding_6.1bc.htm

Diva by Swans C2 Center Channel $229
http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_center_c2bc.htm

Swans Diva 2.1 Bookshelf $329 pr
http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_bookshelf_2.1bc_backorder.htm

Diva by Swans R2 Rear Surround $329 pr
http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_bookshelf_r2bc.htm



http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_viewall.htm

Is it possible to even get pricing on Paradigm speakers without calling a dealer? It seems that they don't sell online at all and I'm having a heck of a time finding prices. I live in Minnesota and it seems like there's only a single dealer in the Twin Cities area that carries Paradigms.

Monitor Series v.5
Mini Monitor $438/pr Medium Sized Bookshelf Speaker
Titan Monitor $558/pr Large Size Bookshelf Speaker
Atom Monitor $298/pr Small Sized Bookshelf Speaker
Monitor 7 $758/pr Floorstanding Speaker
Monitor 9 $998/pr Floorstanding Speaker
Monitor 11 $1398/pr Floorstanding Speaker
CC-190 $299/ea Center Channel Speaker
CC-290 $499/ea Center Channel Speaker
CC-390 $699/ea Center Channel Speaker
ADP-190 $249/ea Surround/Rear Speaker
ADP-390 $429/ea Surround/Rear Speaker


I usually get 10% -15% under these listed prices.

Spend more of the budget on the left/right/center

BTW on the Monitors, I think the new version was recently released so if you call around you may be able to get a deal on the 'old version'. I have heard both and did not sense a huge difference.

Spend more of the budget on the left/right/center

+1.

How about Ascend 340 center + mains, then 4x 170 SE for surrounds. Falls beneath budget, before shipping, and I don't know if there are package discounts. I think the 170 is the best bookshelf I've heard at that price point, and if the 340s are better...

+1.

How about Ascend 340 center + mains, then 4x 170 SE for surrounds

Excellent recommendation for a bookshelf system.

Why, thank you Mazer. :D I would love to reciprocate compliments, but I just have never heard Swans, gorgeous as they are... :D

Why, thank you Mazer. :D I would love to reciprocate compliments, but I just have never heard Swans, gorgeous as they are... :D
There's a massive thread about them in the archive that I can't find at the moment. Wish I could hear them in person but you're right, they definitely look gorgeous.