As you said you were confused, here's a simple breakdown of speaker systems available:
1) PC speakers - Range from total shit to average, with the best being the Klipsch Ultras
2) HTIB's such as the Onkyo system - EVERY one I've heard was shit. Not ONE was worth the money, they are designed for people who know nothing about speakers to get their cheapass surround sound to impress their similarly uninformed friends.
3) Bose-style speakers - Basically the rich-man's HTIB, they offer the performance of a system half their price. Not total shit, but definitely not a good deal. Once again, bought by those with money to impress their friends as much as to watch movies with.
4) Commercial speakers - There's a wide wide range of different brands here that offer prices and performances across the board. Some good deals such as the Athena's that Best Buy sell stand out for retail speakers. Otherwise, buying speakers from botique dealers can be a hassle, especially if you are inexperienced, as they can be somewhat snobby.
5) Internet brands - There's a reason all my gear besides my receiver [which is about the weakest link right now, and is next in line to be replaced] is from an internet-only company. Their products range from good to astounding, and the prices are always very competitive. If you seriously want some good speakers, this is the best route to go in my opinion. Customer service is also exemplary in all the cases that I've seen.
If you are so hung up on surround sound, AV123's Tykes would be probably the best that you could manage in your price range. I don't think that you'd be disappointed.
One last point: you view something like the Klipsch's as a stepping stone to a full-fledged HT setup, but it's more of a stumbling block than anything. You are dumping 300$ into something that you'll basically want to throw away. If you buy a receiver and some speakers, even if they are the Tykes, you can replace them one pair at a time, as your budget permits, taking minimal losses. Hell, you could always add two more speakers down the road like the RS150's that AV123 currently has for 200$ to make your system a 7.1 like you want =]
1) PC speakers - Range from total shit to average, with the best being the Klipsch Ultras
2) HTIB's such as the Onkyo system - EVERY one I've heard was shit. Not ONE was worth the money, they are designed for people who know nothing about speakers to get their cheapass surround sound to impress their similarly uninformed friends.
3) Bose-style speakers - Basically the rich-man's HTIB, they offer the performance of a system half their price. Not total shit, but definitely not a good deal. Once again, bought by those with money to impress their friends as much as to watch movies with.
4) Commercial speakers - There's a wide wide range of different brands here that offer prices and performances across the board. Some good deals such as the Athena's that Best Buy sell stand out for retail speakers. Otherwise, buying speakers from botique dealers can be a hassle, especially if you are inexperienced, as they can be somewhat snobby.
5) Internet brands - There's a reason all my gear besides my receiver [which is about the weakest link right now, and is next in line to be replaced] is from an internet-only company. Their products range from good to astounding, and the prices are always very competitive. If you seriously want some good speakers, this is the best route to go in my opinion. Customer service is also exemplary in all the cases that I've seen.
If you are so hung up on surround sound, AV123's Tykes would be probably the best that you could manage in your price range. I don't think that you'd be disappointed.
One last point: you view something like the Klipsch's as a stepping stone to a full-fledged HT setup, but it's more of a stumbling block than anything. You are dumping 300$ into something that you'll basically want to throw away. If you buy a receiver and some speakers, even if they are the Tykes, you can replace them one pair at a time, as your budget permits, taking minimal losses. Hell, you could always add two more speakers down the road like the RS150's that AV123 currently has for 200$ to make your system a 7.1 like you want =]