5.1 Compact System WITHOUT dedicated amplifier for Computer setup?

[cel4145]

If you want my honest advice, I'd drop the no receiver requirement and find some place to fit it in, no matter the compromise.  My main interest is in home theater, not headphones, and under no circumstances would I ever consider using a PC that didn't connect to an AVR via HDMI.

So true. I'd recommend this Denon AVR 1513 and this Monoprice set over any computer multimedia/compact setups in the <$500 range. For other compact speaker setups for a small room there are Focal Dome and Focal Bird or Cambridge Audio Minx. Too bad Paradigm stopped making the Paradigm MilleniaOne 5.1 system. That would be an awesome bedroom setup. But you still need an AVR. And mid level models come with remote control, remote capability via phone, streaming by phone or tablet--all these connectivity and control features, as well as room correction. It is just the way to go if one is after sound quality