5.1 under 4k?

What's your preference? Movie's or Music? Do you plan on driving all 5 speakers with your AVR or are you going to get an external amp some day; either 2 channel or multi channel? If your going to just use the AVR, pay attention to sensitivity and impedance specs and you'll probably want to stay away from 4 Ohm speakers. That will limit the choices. Are you thinking floor standers or bookshelf? If bookshelf, are you going to actually place them on shelves? Are the surrounds going on the walls? If so, you'll be limited to front ported speakers to achieve proper bass response.

Most important, as the above posters pointed out, what speakers do you already have and what are you familiar with? Each design and type of driver provides its own unique sound. Find out what your preference is - all types, including ribbon tweeters, are available in your price range.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider before a recommendation can be made. So start asking yourself the above questions so you can arrive at speakers that are best for your needs. And start auditioning!

I'm currently using polk audio rtia3, csia4, rm8s, & dwspro440 sub. I do not plan on adding a external amp any time soon but it is in the back of my mind.

I'm currently 30 day trialing a set of ascend acoustics siera-1s, center with nrt upgrads, htm-200s for surrounds all on 24" stands and lv12r sub. The system sounds great but I cant help but feel its lacking something.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I will be mostly watching movies.

Thanks again.

Jeffpell,
Sounds like the Ascend Acoustics is a sideways move from the Polk Audio, just different and not a dramatic improvement. Did you lose a little in dynamics? The Ascend Acoustics do have a lower sensitivity or efficiency(as Polk says). Great dynamic range definitely gives a home theater that WOW factor. IMHO, considering the size of your room with the high ceiling, I'd be looking for speakers with a higher sensitivity to help increase the dynamics. Also, if you can use 2 subs, and they should be identical, you can achieve a more even bass response in the room. The subs do not need to be the same brand as the 5 speakers, but the 5 speakers should match, or even better, be identical.

Take a look at the Monitor Audio RX series. They are not difficult to drive and have one of the best respons in the low freq. The only brand in this price tag which make very good crossovers. They can give a deep and wide 3-dimensional stage like the best highend speakers can. Almost all other brands only give a 2-dimensional image cause of there crossovers.