My parents are looking for a 5.1 system to go with their new 55" TV. My mother does not want big speakers, which has my dad looking at a lot of HTIB configs.

Does anyone know of a good sounding system that uses small speakers? I'd love to see them get Axiom's, but I don't think it is going to fly.

He's looking at Bose at this point, which I steered him away from, but the fact that he even looked shows some guidance is needed here.

I told him we really just need to go and listen, but they are a bit over an hour away and we haven't had a chance to do that yet.

http://hsuresearch.com/products/vt-12.html

The Ventriloquist VT-12 is probably what they are looking for..

If you can't swing the Axioms, have a look at the Hsu Ventriloquist system. They make some compromises, but I have heard the system and it's beyond decent.

EDIT: Yeah, what he said. I started my post first, but I had to get some work done before I finished it.

You could put together a system with some Kef or ORB speakers, my brother-in-law has some Energy Take 5's and they sound good too.

I know someone who bought some KEF speakers and he seems to like them.

Try and talk your parents into getting a larger sub tho.

Sub sold separately it appears. I'm sure a STF-2 would be plenty of sub to go with these. They don't mind if the sub is a bit bigger, since it can be hidden in the corner.

I like the energy RC-Mini Series, they are the sweet.

The STF-2 is not just a bit bigger; that's a pretty sizeable box. Sez someone who got an EP350...

I have never heard these but just saw them at audioholics:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/emp-eca-4/

seemed to get pretty good reviews

Again, I would aim for a larger sub then what is shown with this system.

And according to audioholics EMP is extending 50% off their MSRP for a limited time.

Without every hearing these things I can't say if it is a good deal or not... worth at least reading into tho IMO

I too recommend the Hsu system. For their size and cost they are hard to beat.