What home theater system under $700 list would you recommend

What home theater system would you recommend under $700 listed retail price would you recommend in terms of the best sound in regards to: 1. A boxed system with DVD/receiver, 2. A system without DVD player just receiver, subwoofer and speakers,
3. A system you can mix parts from other brands. If you know the model number please put in.

I'd concentrate on speakers and subwoofer. Figure $660 for the HSU Ventriloquist/VTF-2 combo. Reason is you likely will not need or want to upgrade the subwoofer. Look around for a used receiver at a yard sale. Skip the dvd player. However, you could get a cheap new Apex dvd player if your friend loans you a receiver.