confused and don't know what to do

raw33,

I actually went this weekend to the Tampa, Fl. Audio Show and fell in love with the new Sonus Faber Olympica Nova’s. The cabinetry was amazing and the sound for the price was superb. I listened to the Nova ll and can’t imagine how much better the 3 and 5 are. They have been improved quite a bit compared to the original Olympica line. The base was improved significantly on these Nova’s and they are sonically well balanced. They are engaging without being in your face. I am confident these will be good for your Home Theatre and 2 channel listening. I would highly recommend these, since I am a Sonus Faber owner and fan. I am actually torn between the Verity Otello and the Sonus Faber 3 or 5 at this point, by the way the Otello’s are awesome as well. I am suggesting the Sonus Faber because they have the center and rears. Also, Sonus Faber is willing to ship them to you for audition without having to commit. They will refund you in full if you do not like them.  Let me know what you decide...

Thank you so much for your note. It was so kind of you to come back and inform me about something that obviously impressed you greatly. I have never heard of this brand, but of course, you know I am a newbie and am looking forward to checking it out.
Thank you again for thinking to relate your findings!

seems to me

millercarbon simply will not compromise his amazing 2 channel system.

audiotroy may hope for sales, however I believe they do make effort to share their experience which I appreciate. people ask for advice, they are highly experienced and give it. take it or leave it.

I agree with audiotroy, and I said in my initial response:

Home theater: CENTER CHANNEL is a must, and at least a small pair of rear surrounds (engaged when real surround content exists) are needed.

Switch it to 2 channel if it is fake/created surround. That complicates Video IF it's sound is better without surround. Using 2 channel with video, omitting the center channel, it is important to get a center origin from the mains. 2 Channel precise imaging, in a sweet spot is of course wonderful, but add your spouse or a friend, 2 people wide, perhaps 3 (OP said 'we') and things change.Speakers specifically designed (or easily moved) for wide center imaging are thus important. 

Also consider, precise imaging for music is primarily for stationary musicians/singers, things 'stay' .... Imaging for Video is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I have low ceilings, I've never been tempted to add height speakers or bothered seeking a good 7.1 setup to hear, I have been, and am quite happy with my small home theater.

My music system is separate, the 'real' speakers/equipment.

As I said, I used the same system for both music and video for a while, but that was before good 5.1 system/content was plentiful.

People, like my neice, many others, love minimalist Video Environments: TV/Monitor wall mounted, no deep cabinet for equipment below, no big speakers. They often compromise with wireless speakers.

Big Mistake IMO. No way to meet OP's desire for great music out of a video system.

A darn good AV Receiver is Big, Hot, Many Wires. Add Blu-Ray Player; Cable Box. That needed cabinet provides a place for a real Center Speaker directly below the screen. Real full frequency Mains. That has the potential for a darn good Music System.

Add more music sources to bare bones and it gets big and complicated, many remotes involved. Reel to Reel? Turntable? Streaming? DAC? ..... 

It can be done, but it is Hard to get right.

Oh yeah, legacy stuff,

I also have a VCR, and a quiet fanless PC (video on the motherboard), with small wireless keyboard for total access to the Internet. PC was used a lot prior to smart tv's and the restricted browsers of early smart tv's. PC has access to all content on the home network, and better processor.

IOW, a home theater has/might end up having more equipment than you start with. Minimalist system will force you to compromise in my experience.