Hi, I am in the market of getting a new Home Theatre system. I have an old panasonic HTIB 5.1; I want to get something new and perfer a receiver and speakers separately. Read the forums, many claimed HTIB is cheap and affordable, but it doesn't sound good. I want to spend no more than $1,000. what would be your pick? I do mostly gaming and movies. Please see my list of the components below.

Room size is 12ft x 12ft
Sony Bravia xbr4 --- 40" lcd
Sony Playstation3
(((Thinking of getting a Sony Bluray Disc player)))
Nintendo Wii
Phillips dvd players - dvp5960
Panansonic VCR
Monster Power Home Theater Reference HTS 1600


Receiver = ?
Speakers = ? <----prefer front tower speakers. (Question: what is the different between tower speakers and "regular small box" speakers?

Thank you for your help.

Ray