Upgrade Thoughts? Onkyo STS-HK200 -> Klipsch Quintets -> ??? (New Fronts/Sub)

I have an older speaker setup from my Onkyo S760 HTIB setup that I'm slowly replacing. I've replaced the receiver already, purely because of a deal on exactly what I wanted, and have been keeping my eyes out for speakers to enhance the system in the most important aspect. From the S760 I have the STS-HK200 set, a pretty basic 6.1 setup. Earlier today I saw, and grabbed based on the reviews I saw and limited knowledge I had at the time, a Klipsch Quintet 5.0 system for $160 - the most recent in the line I believe - on clearance.

Now, the Klipsch's are returnable so I'm trying to decide on what to do...(I still need to hook them up). From a spec perspective, the Onkyo speakers look 'better' (broader frequency range, specifically)...but I'm having trouble believing they are based on general reviews of Onkyo speakers I've read recently...(although the HTIB system did get stellar reviews when I bought it...can't see how speakers have gotten 'worse' ).

Anyway, I'm wondering about replacing the HK200's w/the Quintets (except for my one rear channel), continuing to use the SKB-200 subwoofer, and then once I find a good deal, replace the left and right fronts w/something higher end and shift the system to a 7.1 setup w/the Quintets being used for the side and rear channels. Not sure what to do about the front yet...maybe replace that last and do dual centers or something like that (if it sounds good).

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I see this as an evolving 'system' that I update over time - replacing the receiver was a bit of a 'great price' thing and getting tired of the older R510 receivers lack of inputs, limited ability to decode certain things, etc.

Thank you both for your responses, I really appreciate it. While getting most other AV parts is a bit straightforward, speakers are definitely giving me stress (I'm in no way an audiophile, that being a big part of it...)

The MLT-2 (unless I'm looking at the wrong set somehow) seems to have small fronts/satellites...at least from the NewEgg and Amazon pictures. Are the drivers just bigger in the speakers themselves? Or are the pictures deceiving?

And the Pioneer's are actually on my list of speakers that I've been watching...I was about to grab them when they were on sale near Thanksgiving for 1/2 normal price, but missed it by a few hours unfortunately. One big thing I'm debating now - and what made me delay on the pioneers you mention - is floor standing front L/R vs bookshelves. My current home's basement, where my main viewing location is, is only 350-400sq ft (and its a townhouse) so the sound from smaller speakers fills it fairly well without neighbor complaints. When we move to a bigger house (date: unknown ), bigger speakers will definitely be useful...so I'm debating just getting the bigger/better speakers now vs. the smaller Pioneers then upgrading.

All things equal - for $160 I can use the Quintets in my bedroom and I still made out on the deal IMHO, so it's not a loss...(unless they sound like complete crap, in which case I'll return them...).

Hrm....bounced back and forth between the two sets (Onkyo and Klipsch) and ... this could be placebo ... but I can definitely hear more lows on the Onkyo's and much crisper, cleaner highs on the Klipsch's...to the extent that I can actually here some things on the high end I couldn't hear on the Onkyo's (background clapping during the opera/fight scene in Fifth Element when the scene moves out of the opera hall). The subwoofer is definitely doing a lot of the lows well (if I toggle it off, it's a noticeable difference) ... but it feels 'empty' at the bottom for some reason...not sure how else to describe it.

My wife noted it sounded really good...but...she also said '...and loud.' so...gotta take that with a grain of salt.

...I think I may just like a lot of bass and it's missing in this setup at this point.

I'm really interested in the Pioneer's now though...should have known this would happen.
Edited by Necromancyr - 1/27/13 at 6:13pm

I didn't realize they were on sale now when I said that...I told my wife that I think I have my birthday present identified and am buying it tonight. Biggest decision point now is if the SKW-200 (sub) is worth replacing as well since the sub for this set also appears to be on sale...
(which is more of a 'is it on sale and should I get it now thing...since I have prime and ordered the damn R/L/C speakers already... )

Biggest thing that's killing me on these is I'd LOVE to have some bigger fronts, but I just don't have room for floorstanders now...purely because of my entertainment center/ikea wall monstrosity that we regret buying. (though it doubles as a bar nicely).

Also - thank you very much for the help Cel, I really appreciate it.