James:
Being robbed sucks. I've never been through it, so I don't envy you.

If you can swing it financially, I would go for the 60s again or maybe even the 80s. I've never tried 7.1, but haven't heard enough positive posts to attempt it.

I think if I dropped "down" a level in my speakers, they would always be a reminder of what was taken from me. If you upgrade, you'll at least have that small consolation when all is said and done...

::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::