Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jirachi 
I may be a little closed minded, but I just don't see how a 2.0 system will be able to compare with, specifically the lows of, a 5.1 system. I can definitely see that a 2.1 system might be good for my needs, especially considering I'm in a relatively small space and don't really have the ability to put speakers behind me and really enjoy immersive surround, but I don't see how I'd get the same range out of a 2.0 as a 5.1.
I would be tempted to buy a seperate amp capable of 5.1 and then a 2.1 system to see if I really need the extra speakers, but it would frighten me to commit this much money to a 2.0 system without the knowledge that I could add more speakers if I wasn't satisfied with the range.
I don't think you quite understand how much you lose when you pay the same thing for two speakers versus five plus a subwoofer, including amplification. Satellite speakers are bad in general - cost cut as much as possible. Entry level subwoofers - those that are standalone under $100/100 EUR or so - are very poor in both quality and extension, generally providing only "boom" and little definition or quality to the sound. As you bring up the price to $200/200 EUR or so you make an improvement - but likewise, you're cutting into your budget for your mains.
I also think you are underestimating the quantity, quality, and extension of bass in both floorstanding speakers and quality bookshelf speakers. Believe it or not, they almost always outperform budget subwoofers in quality, and even decent floorstanding speakers can compete in quantity.
The other advantage to spending on only two speakers to begin with is higher quality all-around - if you later decide you want more bass, you can buy a better subwoofer than you would have bought in the first place, and you'll also have better speakers than what you would have had as well. Basically you'll save money and end up with a better system in the long run if you ever think you'll upgrade.
I just took a quick look at Amazon.de, and there's quite a few good floorstanding speakers for relatively low prices:
http://www.amazon.de/JBL-Northridge-3-Wege-Stand-Lautsprecher-schwarz/dp/B0000ERAZR/ref=sr_1_7?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1326993179&sr=1-7
http://www.amazon.de/Standlautsprecher-weiss-Lautsprecherboxen-Lautsprecherbox-Lautsprecher/dp/B0049CNT12/ref=sr_1_8?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1326993179&sr=1-8
http://www.amazon.de/Clatronic-796-Lautsprecherboxen-Lautsprecherkabel-schwarz/dp/B001L5W8N0/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1326993142&sr=8-8
The JBLs look like a really good deal, if you can stretch your budget. No subwoofer needed for music (even bass-heavy electronic music), with -3 dB at 38 Hz. That's better than many cheap subwoofers. They're relatively efficient, are from an excellent company (Harman/Kardon), and will be easy to match a center channel and surrounds if you ever want to expand to 5.1.
As for receivers and amplifiers - the same principle applies. There's nothing wrong with getting a 5.1 receiver now, although it will cost more and be of lower quality than a standalone stereo amplifier. Again, if you decide to upgrade in the future (significantly, anyway), if you start with a stereo amplifier (like the Behringer A500) you can either move it to a secondary system or actually use it with a better receiver or pre-pro that has line outputs. Most modern day receivers are pretty good though, and should have enough power for most reasonably efficient speakers.
Oh, and good subwoofers will have both stereo line level and speaker level (i.e. amplified) input/passthrough, so if you choose wisely when upgrading later, you would actually be able to use a subwoofer with just a stereo amplifier.
