Quote Originally Posted by paulspencer
In terms of sound quality, speakers are by far the most critical. Problem is, they are also the one thing you need to spend the most money on. You can use a cheap receiver, fairly low cost amps, cables, etc and get exceptional sound. But even with the most expensive of everything else, a system will only ever sound as good as the room and the speakers. On a $1500 budget where SQ is the goal, you'd be mad to do anything but focus on the speakers and room.
Strongly agree. The speakers should be your first priority. Start your research there and audition wherever possible.

Also, make sure you touch base with the wife to see what speaker designs meet her approval. I'm not joking, I'm serious.

Unless you are building a dedicated man cave, this room falls under "common area" and the last thing that you want to hear is how your wife doesn't feel that YOUR speakers clashes with HER furniture (even if you bought the furniture...lol!) day in and day out.

My brother lives that nightmare now. Seems his wife was under the impression that he was going for an understated HT setup with bookshelf monitors, when my brother had tower arrays in mind. He brought home towers; he hasn't known a moment's peace since.