2 channel home theatre

also, not sure my preamp makes for a good processor...currently the movie sound is not quite as "theatrifcal" as my b & k processor and klipsch set up was...not sure if it's the pre or speakers or both...just asking

My home theater setup is an Integra 50.1 reciever with the Focal 836v mains, Martin Logan Dynamo 700 subwoofer and a pair of Infinity TSS-800 surrounds. The rear channel speakers are pathetic compared to my Focals and I don't use a center channel (I sold my Bose to a co-worker because it degraded the sound compared to the Focals) and my home theater sounds really good. I think anyone that's not an audio snob would approve. Don't spend big money on rear channel speakers, it doesn't take audiophile speakers for surround sound unless you want to get into multi channel SACD audio type of stuff.

I'm sure my Focals could sound a little better using a dedicated 2 channel amplifier, but life's a compromise. My room acoustics are very different from the store that I purchased them from and I actually like the sound at my house better overall compared to what I heard at the store hooked to equipment worth many times (i.e. speaker wires worth several times my entire system) what I have. There were certainly some sonic improvements in the store, but overall the room makes more of a difference for me.

p.s. I don't think there are speakers designed for HT beyond being small. Speakers are speakers.

I would start off with a subwoofer,or two if needed,first.You
need them for home theater anyhow.That may give you more of an
idea of what the rest of the system is capable of also.

thanks for your thoughts everyone...i've good idea of the direction i'm going to go...the most joy i ever had was when i was running klipsch with 5 channel amp and processor...the center channel i remember had two 8" woofer and was so bad ass...i'm looking at getting 2 towers for the fronts with 6" woofers and a center with the same....i'll already have a great sub, so i'm good there...i'll run 3.1 with a receiver as the processor and amp...it will be very righteous...

i ended up buying the klipsch reference series 62 towers for the front and the rc 62 center channel...i bought the onkyo 807 which seems pretty good...this is going to be just fine for a HT and for when i want to rock...i have my two channel setup as well for just listening