300$ budget speakers

Why are you looking at small speakers?

fwiw, with that kind of budget i would start out with a 2.1 system with some nice quality bookshelf speakers and add on as you go.this will give you alot better sound quality over those satalite speakers

How firm is that 300 dollar budget? If it can stretch just a little bit, or if you have the patience to wait for the inevitable discount, I don't think you'd do much better than two sets of these

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1358598984&sr=8-3&keywords=pioneer+bookshelf+speakers

Plus one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-C22-Designed-Channel-Speaker/dp/B008NCD2EI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1358599093&sr=8-5&keywords=pioneer+bookshelf+speakers

The fact that I linked to amazon isn't important, it's just a place I was sure I could get links. Those are really nice sounding speakers.

Get a pair of Polk R300 speakers and a CS2 center speaker.

+1

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE would be good to start off with. http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

Keep in mind that if you go this 2.1 route first, your center channel purchase should be from the same manufacturer, and typically the same speaker model line. Matching the front three speakers is important for your front sound stage.

I agree with post #5 - look at the Pioneer speakers - 2 pairs of the BS22 and
1 center channel for $300 or less, will make a 5.0 set >
price will reflect in the cart.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=pioneer+home+speakers

Looks like we all have some ideas for ya...I personally love CV's ...
Give these a look too
http://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Bookshelf-Surround-Satellite-Speakers/dp/B004E294FW/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358614662&sr=1-10&keywords=cerwin+vega+bookshelf+speakers

http://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-VE-5C-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B000EI0EB8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_6