I thought the original post was a bit misplaced here (there are a lot of better places to read reviews of low-end surround systems) but I thought the reply was exceptionally unhelpful.
I've used a $225ish Panasonic 5-disc changer with 5.1 surround since 2004 and nobody including me has ever complained about the sound. It's loud and clear. The subwoofer shakes the floor and makes my beverage vibrate in the glass if I crank it.
Some people, including me, are simply not audiophiles. My system is "good enough." If I ever replace it, it would be for reasons other than the sound, for example to go wireless.
I suppose that is your opinion. However the op asked for a good audio system to go with what sounds like a fairly expensive tv and blu-ray player combination. Based on what he has, pairing it with an ultra-low-end audio system makes no sense. It's the equivalent of buying a BMW and pairing it with the wheels with from a Corolla. You'll still be able to drive around, but is it really a BMW driving experience? Of course, if you've never driven a BMW, you might never know the difference.
A $300 computer will do the same basic tasks as a $2000 Macbook Pro. A $100 lcd monitor can be bright and clear and show colors. But is it accurate? Is it actually reproducing true colors?
And regarding audio, volume doesn't mean much. Shaking means nothing, other than maybe an underpowered and cheaply designed subwoofer. Range, accuracy, and tonality mean something. Do the sounds actually sound like they do in real life? Does an instrument actually sound like it does in real life? Does the subwoofer actually create low bass and not just vibrations?
I have no doubt that your current audio system seems adequate to you, and I'm not suggesting you run out and spend thousands on a system. However, something that might be adequate for your needs is completely different from good. I'd suggest listening to a decent audio system some time, if merely to have a benchmark to understand what good audio actually is. And I'm hardly an audiophile. I have what is considered a low-to-mid-range audio system, as I don't want to spend 10K+ on a system. But I do know what good audio is supposed to sound like and I believe that if I'm going to spend $2000+ on a HDTV, I'm going to pair it with comparable audio.
To me, any $400 5.1 audio system will be just this side of pitiful. Frankly, if that was my budget, I'd save my money and just use the built-in speakers on the tv, since the sound quality would pretty much be the same. I wouldn't even bother with a 5.1 system.
But hey, whatever, some people think $300 TVs are good and spending any more is stupid. And some people think a $600 Windows box is equal to a $2000 iMac.
