First things first, it looks like the NASA Mars lander has landed successfully. Way to go!!

Now, I've been researching 5.1 monitors for the last couple of weeks. My budget is $500. Its been very frustrating: Online reviews help, but I have to hear something before I buy. I've heard and rejected *every* computer 5.1 system out there. Anything the chains carry, I've probably heard and disliked. I think all the Logitechs stink (distant mids, no presence), I dislike the Klipsch Promedia (overly bright coloring and the same distant mids, causing poor sound location). In fairness, this is often due to morons at the chain stores who don't know how important it is to setup a sound system, but in truth, these systems all suck to my ears. (I was a part-time sound engineer as a teenager, so I'm not a neophyte)

Also, I heard the 2.1 Bose system alongside the others. Once you hear how good the Bose sound (little coloring, *great* sound location and "space") its all over for the competition. Unfortunately, Bose doesn't make a 5.1 for less than $1000. Perhaps they'll come out with something specifically for 5.1 computers this year? If they did, I'd buy one, damn the torpedoes and bring on the PBJ sandwiches for the next 6 months.

So I've shifted to the hi-end audio stores. *Every one* in Kansas City! Sheesh. When they hear you only have $500 to spend, they practically turn up their noses at you. I had one salesguy literally say "no, we have nothing here that fits the bill" then turn and WALK OUT OF THE ROOM. And I was even wearing clean clothing.

Anyway, here are the highlights of what I've researched:

The yamaha yht 340 can be had for $340 online shipped. Includes speakers and amplifier. Very nice sound, good subwoofer, a major step up from any of the computer-specific brands. I'd be happy with this system.

The infinity inftss456 is an excellent 5.1 speaker system. I can get it at a local store for $360. I'd also have to buy an amplifier separately, perhaps $150-$200. Next step up from the yht340.

Believe it or not, that is the sum total of systems I have heard that meet the bill: Good 5.1 sound and around $500.

(Quick OT story about the yht500: I heard it at a local store. Anyone in the US catch the ESPN story a couple years ago when a local store advertisedthat if the Kansas City Chiefs shut out their rivals that Sunday, then all purchases that previous week would be free..and it happened..and cost them millions..well that store. Anyway, the middle-aged should-know-better salesguy helps me listen to the system. He's a bit slow, has little to say. I drop the fact that the online stores have it for about $50 cheaper, but I'd prefer to buy locally, he doesn't say anything, I hem and hah a bit, then say "ok, I'll take it". We go to ring it up, he discovers he is out of stock, the other stores are out of stock, but I can have the store demo unit. I say that I don't really want that as I prefer to burn in the speakers under my own control. I wait. He says he can order them in..it'll take 2 weeks. I say that's too long. I ask him what kind of deal he can make for me on the demo unit. He checks his computer, mumbles something about it already being $20 under their normal sales price, then tells me he can't reduce the price. I ask if he's kidding me. He says no. I bite my tongue and politely say goodbye. Criminey, do these chumps *want* to go out of business? Do they actually think there is a sufficient supply of suckers out there for them to keep going? Apparently.)

Now, the problem with the online yht340 is that it'll get delivered by truck and could take 2 weeks; 1 week if I up the shipping by $30. So I'm not biting yet. Tonight I read a review on the Onkyo HT-S660 at http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/onkyo-s660/HTIB_onkyo_s660.html. Its a *great* review, but truthfully without enought meat on the review bones to be sure. Nevertheless, something about the review made me trust it. I like Onkyo in general, and I'd probably not be going wrong. Its definitely more power than the yht340. Better yet, my good friends at B&H have it for $400 and free 3-day shipping.

So now I'm sitting on my B&H shopping cart ready to push the final button. But I've never bought speakers sight-unheard. OTOH, B&H has a good return policy, i.e., shipping cost only.

I've basically exhausted all my research locally and online, and spent far too many hours agonizing. Am I getting the best deal I can? I've come close to saying the hell with it and buying a cheap $70 set for the time being. (I'm *really* under budget pressure right now.)

Is there anyone who has been or is in the same boat as me? What on earth is the best 5.1 system to be had for under $500. Or is it really just a black hole in the current product lines?

(Going to be running this from an Audigy 2 platinum, btw. And I'd be running Mackie HR624's if I could afford them :-)

(And I'm not even going to mention the online chumps who're now a week late delivering my RAM. Can't run the new computer without RAM. Ok, it was www.axiontech.com:-)

Sorry for the lengthy venting. But this is really stressful and it should have been fun.