One thing to try, would be to borrow a pair and hook them up and do a weekend of listening.
After having said that--I've set up hundreds of systems--many of which didn't have money as the mitigating factor.
The set up, in terms of how well it's done, is more important IMHO than 5/7.
The key to proper setup is listening, listening, listening.
You can, if limited by space, 'fib' to the processor to create additional space. Now, a little information is a dangerous thing.
But one system, I set up in a conference room for a recording studio. The goal was to make the sound, (this will really sound daunting, and it was) good all around the table--not centered for everyone, that's impossible, but the varying perspective that you'd have if located relative to the real position at the table, versus the center of the action.
This is a very complex answer, if you'd like to email me, or even talk about it, I can give you some good tips based on thousands of mistakes!! Most people, hobbyiests don't have time or inclination to become proficient at this.
Happy to help, and this is a terrific question.
Larry
