I've decided to wire for 7.1 and try out a pair of 7yr old Energy bookshelves as the rears, which means I'll be spending the budget on a 5.1 system.
That is exactly what I am doing now in my new, larger room. I reused Harmon Kardon Bookshelves for the rears and they work great along with the rest of the Axiom gear. The rears do not have to match the rest of the system as much as the front lineup does.
Also, if I had to do it in stages, I would also go with a sub first over surrounds. It's really a matter of opinion at that point, but for me, I find very few movies have a lot of quality surround effects mixed in but everyone seems to be mixing in as much LFE (sometimes too much) as they can muster. Also, a sub will add more to music than surrounds will.
Again, it's a 6 vs. half dozen thing but that's my 2 cents. Ummm well, I must be up to a buck fifty by now. Just tell me to go away. I probably won't but you'll feel better.
