For instance, these excellent $300 speakers, which were made to sell for twice that, will outperform virtually any HTIB speakers in your price range.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...eater%20System

Here's a review of them, warts and all.

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...sMicra6p1.html

Now, couple these with a $200 - $250 (or less!) receiver from Pioneer, Yamaha, Sherwood or onkyo from Circuit City or some such big box store and you're pretty much on your way.

As for DVD players, well, these use the"guts" of your receiver to actually make the sound so almost any will do for your situation. I picked up a $39 Magnavox at Wal-Mart for a friend and he has no complaints.