Home theater system under $800?

Hi all. First time poster here. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice!
So i recently splurged and bought a 51" hd tv and now am looking to hook up a nice sound system. Currently i have a very old receiver (10+ yrs) and a pair of old bose bookshelf direct/relfecting speakers. I am torn as to what to do for a system. When i bought the tv i also bought a receiver (samsumg hwc700b for $116 on clearance), however after reading the reviews i am thinking i am going to return this. I was thinking of just buying a subwoofer and a new receiver and using the bose speakers that i have. I guess I would then have to buy surround speakers and a center channel to get the surround effect?? Would it be worth it to do this? Or am I better off buying a speaker (or home theater) set? Being that i have two decent speakers (even though old), I would like to incorporate them. I also found a deal for a Sony 5.1 channel speaker set (SA-VS310) for $250. Anyone have any knowledge of these (seem to have decent reveiws). Not looking to spend too much money, but would like to get something decent that sounds good at all levels.
Thanks!

Thanks for the advice! I would like to keep the budget under 800 for receiver and speakers. Again, wondering if keeping my existing bose bookshelf speakers would help with this. Also, this is for our living room (15x18) and mainly interested in getting a good surround sound for movies.

Another question..What are your thoughts on acheiving a surround effect without rear speakers? I checked out the bose cinemate ii 2.1 at best buy and they sounded good cranked up, but have read that they are not great on lower levels.

Thanks so much for these replies! This is exactly what I am needing. Regarding the speakers, i would like to keep the small (not towers?) if i can. Any thoughts on the energy 5.1?

[quote=afrogt;21119480]
2. Energy s10.3 subwoofer for $199 after promo code EMCJKJB98, deal ends today!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882269026
QUOTE]

This seems like a great deal..Being that it is the last day for the deal, should i jump on it and worry about the other speakers later? Or are there equally good subs for the same price?

Thought i'd throw in the layout of the room..the long wall is probably closer to 25 feet,not 35.

Ok, so yet another question..how important is having a high quality subwoofer. In other words, would it be worth spending more on the other speakers and receiver and getting a sub that is a little less expensive? I don't have problem with spending 200 on a good one (energy s10.3), but just wonder how noticeable the difference would be with a cheaper one (say BIC America - 8" 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer; $99 at best buy)?

Great thanks! I think i'm gonna go ahead and get the s10.3!

Thoughts on these speakers..Boston Acoustics CS2310B? Looking at the Denon receiver (AVR1611) at vanns.com and these speakers can be added for $199.

Sorry..new to all this. what do you mean by HT?

I should have at least guessed that!! Feelin off my game today..anyway, i am definately more interested in speakers for home theater. I'm sure the energy sub would also be good for movies as well..correct? What makes one better for HT?

Hmm..well that gives me something else to think about. The only issue with that is the shipping is $71..making a total of $620. The energy sub is $200 total, for a difference of $420. Are there other speaker sets (minus sub) that are as good as the Performance for under $420?

Does anyone have any experience/review of the Performance2? http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance2.html

Thanks Afrogt! I think I may go with the F12..although still considering the Performance 2. The $620 cost with shipping for these is a little much, plus as I said I already have nice Bose bookshelf speakers to use. If i use my Bose, i would then need to get the sub, 2 rears, and a center (buying individually??; which would probably add up pretty quick). Is there any problem with mixing speakers (ie. using my Bose as the 2 front speakers)? Or would I be better off going with a 5 speaker set? I really do not want to get tower speakers..would like them to be on the smaller side due to space issues.

Question regarding placement of center channel speaker.my options for placement are either in front of the tv on the floor or directly behind the tv in which a tv would be blocking the speaker (only a 3 inch gap under tv; set on stand on top of entertainment center). Where is the best placement for this?