Shandoeluna, KEF is making decent albeit pricey products nowadays, something that wasn't true 10 years ago. Loudspeaker measurements are publicly available, and the layman is now equipped to call out manufacturers that don't deliver.

You'll be fine with any of the surround speakers from Axiom if they're positioned according to Dolby's recommendations. I'm not sold on 7.1 as a meaningful upgrade over 5.1, but it doesn't hurt to try it before hardwiring it into a permanent setup.

Author of "Status 101: How To Keep Up In A World That Keeps Score While Buying Into Buying Less"