need help on speakers for Onkyo 3008

Typically your AVR should be a third of your speaker package cost. If you have not purchased the 3008 yet, you may want to think about down grading a bit and applying some of the saved funds toward better speakers. How many speakers are you looking to add? Does your budget also include a subwoofer?

That is a lot of receiver, for a $1500 set of speakers. Also, with the
High Definition sound tracks, THX is not that important any more.

I understand your dilemma, most of us have been in the same position. Based on what I know now, IMHO, I would dedicate a decent amount to your left, center and right speakers. This is where the quality needs to be given that your critical sound will be produced from them. The surrounds can be less expensive, but I would keep them in the same family as your mains (but not totally required). The subwoofer does not need to be timber matched to your speakers. One thing I have learned over the years is that your speakers will be around a lot longer than your current AVR (case in point - you just bought one 3 years ago). My first real AVR had dolby 5.0 surround, I later upgraded to a dolby digital 7.1 and then again to an AVR with HDMI inputs - 1st generation 3D came out the next year (pretty sure there will be a next generation 3D at some point or more wifi capabilities)

Regarding the use of 7, 9 or 11 speakers - that is up to you. Nice to think about anyway (I'm wired for 9.2, but only use 7.1 at the moment). The majority of content out there is coded at 5.1 and the AVR processor fills in the other channels electronically.

Using 7.1 is great and I really enjoy it, but it only really works well if there is some distance (at least 4') between the speaker and the listener. For example: using rear surrounds - If your seating is along a back wall and you have rear speakers behind or next to your head - they will be too distracting.

Pre outs: You would use a "pre out" if you were looking to bypass the AVR amplifier and power certain speakers with a separate amplifier. For example: AVR - connected by RCA cables to Amplifier which in turn has a speaker or speakers wired to the Amp

FYI - I have the TX-NR3007 mostly because I needed the extra HDMI inputs, multiple zones, 7.1 and decent power.

Another thought on your last post: "Also I am looking for 7.1 system but just dont know if it would be best to go lower cost speakers and get the full package or go better speakers and get them pice by pice over the next few months?"

Since you already have a speaker package from your earlier purchase, why not use a few of them as your surrounds and apply more of your budget toward the front 3. You can then upgrade the surrounds as funds become available.

Remember - your speakers will last a lot longer than the AVR

Something to look at and build, excet for the sub
http://www.spearitsound.com/focal/focal_700_series.htm

One sub option
http://epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html

Any time. You will find people who like them and/or don't like them - it all really depends on what you like. The best thing to do is see if you can go someplace and listen to them. If not, some dealers allow 30 day trials (just check on return shipping and restocking fees) to try them out.

Good luck

Speaker size/power requirements also drive part of your purchasing decision. How large is your room and how loud do you listen? You should have these answers when talking to a good speaker rep