Need assistance selecting speakers for my Yamaha RX-A810 in a living room setup

Your setup is similar to mine.

I have a Yamaha RX-V673 and a 60" Vizio in a 22x14x8high room.

After much research and deal hunting I purchased a Klipsch RW-12D from Newegg on sale for $299. It goes on sale often so if it isn't $299 check back daily.

I then scratched my head some more and read lots more.....and finally went with Ascend Acoustics to round out a 5.1 setup.
I am using 2 CMT-340se's for LR, a CMT-340se for Center, and 2 CMB-170se's for surrounds. I also ordered the 2 stands that Ascend has specially designed for the 340.

The 2 340 LR's run $568, the 340 Center is around $298. $300 for the 2 170's. The 2 stands were on sale for $140.

I was told by many people that I could have easily went with 4 CBM 170's and a 340 center to save a little money, but I was planning for the future and really liked the looks of the 340.

The speakers just arrived last nite and I couldn't be more pleased with Ascend! Highly recommended.

btw. If you call they typically have discounted b-stock which might not show up online. My 340's were b-stock and the only reason I could see was 1 slight scratch in finish that I would NEVER notice unless I was looking for it.

+1

I recently got the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SEs. Great speakers. In fact I'm listening to them right now.

Ascend Acoustics is a small Internet direct company that produces speakers that are an excellent value. You could start with the CBM-170 SE for front left/right, and the CMT-340 SE center. See what you think. If you love 'em and decide it's worth spending more on the CMT-340s for the front, you can use the CBM-170s for the rear. Or if you are happy with the sound and want to keep the budget down, get a pair of HTM-200 or CBM-170 for the rear. Here's the owners thread if you want to learn more: http://www.avsforum.com/t/629769/ascend-se-owners-thread

And yeah. The Klipsch RW-12d is a really good value for $299. Here's a thread in the AVS subwoofer forum where people are talking about it: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1442829/klipsch-rw-12d-on-sale-for-299-at-newegg-com-again-today

I thought I wanted Towers myself......after much research decided I didn't need them. The 340 minitowers were more than enough for my room and with a decent sub all the benefits of a full tower are moot to me. YMMV!

The towers I considered ranged from BIC Acoustech's PL76 and PL89's, to Klipsch 42's to the Andrew Johnson designed Pioneer's.

If I were you I would check out the AJ Pioneers plus a couple of good subs. Don't know anything about the Polks.

Now that I have the CBM-170s, I'd love to hear the 340s across the front. Not just for the six 6.5" drivers firing at you, but also because of the exact matching speakers for all three. That's optimal for the front soundstage. Must sound great.

Watched Sherlock Holmes - Game of Shadows last nite after getting these in place and I must say it was pretty good!
I'm still waiting to get my Yammy 673 back so I was driving this with a cheap RCA HTIB AVR. Surprised me how good it sounded and it will only get better with a real AVR and proper setup/EQ.
Also waiting for the stands for the 340's yet...they will be 2 weeks out. Once the whole system is in place it can't help but exceed my expectations.

Tonite I'm going to try out a little music....either Led Zeppelin Celebration Day or Pink Floyd Pulse. Something tells me I'll be smiling!

btw. It was nice to read your impressions of the 170 vs the Energy. I simply wanted the best sound I could get for my budget and there has been a lot of hubbub over the Energies. I think I chose wisely.