That's one heck of a 'budget' system.
IMHO, a 'Budget Axiom system' consist of a pair of M2's, an old Sony DiscMan CD player, and an old receiver that's held together by duct tape and clothes hangers.
Get yourself a nice HSU,SVS, or Axiom sub and a pair of QS8's and
you are set!
I understand the Harmony frustrations.
Stick with the Harmony and give it some time to 'sink in'. It takes time. I bought the 550 and was frustrated with it at first, and darn near returned it. After several hours (5+ total, probably) of tinkering with the setup and key assignments, and another several days of adjusting my brain, I got used to it. Now, 3 months later, with all the buttons customized exactly as I want, I don't know what I'd do without it (besides leave all 7 of my remotes on the coffee table).
