Newbie help - Building a system from scratch

The best advice I can give is not to follow the recommendations on one individual on this site, but to look for a measure of consensus.  Being audiophiles, there will never be anything approaching absolute consensus, of course.
That being said, glupson is steering you in the right direction.  I believe Crutchfield, Audio Advisor and Music Direct all have pretty generous return policies.  Try before you buy.  They're *your* ears.

In addition to the idea of ordering speakers you can return, look to see whether there are any local audiophile societies or groups in your area, and then go listen to as many different systems as possible, before you start ordering speakers you might then want to return.  Similarly, if you have established friends who are also audiophiles, go and listen.  When you do listen, consider the ancillary equipment and the room you're in.  Is it like yours in size, shape, window area, curtains or lack thereof, floor covering or lack thereof?  All that stuff counts big time.

Your room size/description and and where you can realistically place the speakers would help a lot...

Surprised anyone offered REAL suggestions (not really) sans this basic/important info.

DeKay

dekay, I mentioned the very same issues related to the room, just one post above yours. We agree.

lewm:

Yes, we do agree...

Tired of seeing WAY uninformed suggestions in the forums for specific gear/components, especially now that it is difficult to audition such @ local shops.

DeKay