As someone who custom designs and engineers hometheaters from an accoustical, visual, structural, design, and visual standpoint, I would add that, as in two channel audio, you can build a satisfying audiophile set up for HT, at all price/ambission levels, just like in 2 channel systems! I've ussually found that given the complexity of sytems usually ivolved in 5.1 channels vs 2 channel set ups, and considering the source material recorded (mixed) for movies, I'd say that the more refined experience is usally going to come out of the 2 channel system more readily, with a lot less $$$ output! The 2 channel recordings, as a whole, are simply more pure sounding than a movie mix to begin with, which would warrant a certain amount of inherrant compromise in sonics (to a point) for the movie source material! All things being on an equal playing field however, I think your going to find that It takes a lot more know how to squeeze a more refined sound experience out of a HT set up(at all price points) than with a dedicated 2 channel set up....There's simply a lot more variables to consider with HT! But, as with all equipement related considerations, there are certain tools (equipment choices) that one can zero in on, at any given budget, that will help maximize one's experience bassed on one's needs and expectations, given the medium of choice! If you'd like some suggestions, or even some quotes, I'd be happy to throw some your way! Best to ya...Alex
