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For the people who can get over the fact that each technology has advantages, it frequently turns out that the technical aspects of the transfer/mastering process make a bigger difference than anything else. Here's one example where a series of CD/SACD/LP sets of the same album are compared:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=885485

I agree, good sound you need big speakers, I used to work some with Live audio and sound recording when I was younger etc...
And have had this explained to me over and over, to get some low fequencies you have to have a big speaker cone to puch that much air.
A guy I used to know well owns this live setup.
http://www.ratsound.com/
And designed most the speaker cabnets in that syetms setup, you have to have hudge speaker cones and lots of them to even get any low end outside like this, even then to have good low end the construction of the area around you is important.

In my house I used to have a nice set of floor standing Klipsch speakers, wiht 2 12" woofers in the front and a bass bin behind the couch.

A buddy gave me his speakers that I had always loved to death though!
And know have these in my living room!
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/srtsys tem/

I love these they sound very impressive and would put them agaist any BOSE speakers any day!

Polk Audio: LC265i-IP "The Ultimate In-wall Loudspeaker"

they'll need to contain an integrated power supply

The power supplies are external and sold separately for $800 MSRP and can power 2 of the linked speakers or 4 of the lower end speakers here.

The XLR point is very valid. I don't understand why all of this "audiophile" high dollar equipment uses the lowest common denominator cabling is beyond me. The best analog speaker inputs are those "5 way binding posts" and the best analog intercomponent interconnect are those cheesy RCA cables. Real audiophiles (professionals) use things like speakon connections, balanced/unbalanced XLR cables, and the likes which are so much more reliable, easier to connect and disconnect, and don't cost that terribly much.

Want the best audio quality, distance, noise-resistance for your speakers? fiber optic digital audio paths. end of story.

So long as you like jitter. Actually, XLRs are being used for digital cables in the professional world as well.

If you're in the market for some PC/DVD speakers I can whole heartedly recommend these I don't have a single complaint and you can get them quite cheap if you shop around, about $70 or so.

Polk Audio. Amazing quality, at a good price. I bought a pair of "bookshelf" speakers 5 years ago and have been very happy ever since (note: NEVER place speakers on a bookshelf - use floor stands). They have a nice even tone, far surpassing sonic quality of anything else I've listened to of similar size (5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter). They faithfully reproduce the silky highs, and the bass is smooth and full, accurate even at extremely loud volumes.

I have a pair in my car as well, two 5.25" on the rear deck, and love them. Polk's standard 5 year warrenty is also quite nice, should you accidently blow a woofer or melt a tweeter ;)

Combine a Polk speaker system with an Onkyo or Denon amp, and you will be happy for a long, long time. Keep in mind that your speakers will affect your sound the most, but a quality pre-amp and power amp that has low noise and distortion are key.

I would never recommend Bose if you're serious about soundstage and tonal quality. They build their speakers the same way as Sony, accenting the bass and highs to give the allusion of good sound and completely skip accurate soundstage reproduction. Do a comparison of some serious speakers like Polk, KLH, or Infinity and you'll instantly realize just how dark and scary Sean Connery's voice *really* can be.

-Aaron
(5 months from graduation and itching to upgrade the stereo to a full 5.1 Onkyo + Polk heaven)

All very good points. For speakers, I would also suggest Polk Audio - they have great output.

You might also want to look in a phone book for locally run stores specfically devoted to audio equipment in your home town. The owners are in the business because they are audiophiles. Granted, the prices are generally a bit more expensive, but you could at least go to see which brands they respect and carry, and then shop around online for the same brands.

By the way - if you ever win the lottery or come across a large sum of money, you should check out NAD. They rule.