mainstream sleeper audio products....

One more call for Audyssey (or similarly auto x-over/Digital Room Correction enabled) electronics if good results from a sub/sat system are desired without real time/effort of set-up. The Harman Kardon HK 990 amp is a good alternative to an AVR in that you're buying 2 channels of high quality power amplification, rather than the 7 channels you'd get in an AVR. You're also not paying for the video capabilities, yet you get full subwoofer management and DRC.

New HK-990s are generally available <$1500 on e-bay.

Good Luck.

Marty

For speakers, I'd go with the Usher BE 718's.

Stereophile went nuts over some real inexpensive Sony or possibly Pioneer bookshelves within the last year or so. I wish I could tell you which but a search might find them for you. Otherwise there are an awful lot of decent speakers on the market you'll find many fans of the different brands in these forums. There was just a post asking for the "best" monitor, search the archives.

It was the Pioneer speaker that S'phile raved over. IIRC, under $200/ea.

Not sure if all Magnolias are the same, but the ones near me have some excellent products, including speakers from Martin-Logan, B&W, REL and Sonus Faber, and electronics from McIntosh, Marantz, Arcam and Primare.

For sure there are better deals and more selection on line and in big cities, but you can certainly pick up high quality kit at Magnolia.