If you're looking for small units, there are some nice B&W systems to buy. You'll pay, but the quality is outstanding.
http://www.bwspeakers.com
I really like Ruark (I have a set, so i'm biased)
http://www.ruark.net but i dont believe they have satellites.
What i really should have said at the beginning is, go audition all the units on your list with whatever music/audio you're into and use the same content on each set. You'll notice huge differences and that way you'll get what your ear likes rather than what one of us GFYers like. And if you're dropping more than 3k... make the sales guy hook each set up to the receiver you're buying... they like to cheat using 12k amps on 1k speakers.. of course they'll be nice.