Here are two tables showing a variety of the 5.1-channel home theater speaker systems that I recommend getting as an alternative to Bose. The first table consists of systems pieced together by individual components that have been engineered to be timbre-matching (yes this is very important). The second is a table of bundled speaker systems that have been designed to work stand-alone in full-range (also timbre matched). These bundle systems are usually more uniform in appearance and smaller in size.

The MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, and is quoted in United States dollars; however, many of these systems are sold below MSRP. Bose speakers on the other hand is price fixed at all authorized dealers. This, by the way, has nothing to do with customer concern or fair market pricing. Bose fixes prices because in any given town there are probably three of four, and in my town there are eight different Bose dealers. Without price fixing, Bose speakers would ignite a massive price war that would liquidate the "prestige" and "acclaim" of the Bose name brand. Especially since there is over 65% profit margin from the retail price for retailers to work with. This page is not complete and yes there are many other great systems out there that I will add.

This page goes hand-in-hand with the Bose Review page

Below is a table of bundled speaker systems. These are usually offered in pre-bundled packages by the manufacturer or retailer. They are designed to work stand-alone in full-range and are timbre-matched. Bundle systems are usually more uniform in appearance and smaller in size.

Of the systems I've heard, I like Paradigm and Boston Acoustics for their detailed highs and defined mids (the Boston 8 and 10 inch subwoofers are kind of boomy and sloppy though). Paradigm excels especially well in home theater as does some of PSB's larger stuff. Definitive Technology (towers) sound a lot smoother and warmer on the other hand. Klipsch sounds great for movies, but too harsh for me on music. Energys probably have the best frequency range and very linear response (more midrange presence than compareable models); However, the Take 5.2 system could improve power handling a little. B&W is great for vocal and instrumental music but is very particular about speaker placement and room acoustics. Tannoy, Monitor, Mirage, NHT, and KEF make very musical bookshelf speakers. NHT and KEF make great value-added speakers too. The Velodyne speakers aren't all that impressive from my short listening session with them, though their subwoofers still maintain high integrity (CT-120, HGS-10). Polks are IMO overpriced and they are moving in the wrong direction as a company. They're newest speakers aren't much to talk about at all.

These are just a few of my observations. Always listen to various speakers in different sizes and price ranges from different manufacturers before you buy anything! Don't make a purchase off of ONE neighbor/brother-inlaw/buddy's tip. Remember owners are fanatics and can't give you any balanced, unbias advise! Don't limit your shopping experience to only one audio/video store. Visit a fair mixture chain stores (Good Guys, Magnolia HIFI, Tweeter, Ultimate Electronics), and small hifi shops (SF Stereo, Triad Audio) and test the waters. Bring your own demo music or movies when you are auditioning and insist on using them. Choose a disc and song that you are personally very familier with. Remember that well-recorded, high-quality music is always a better gauge of a speaker's abilities than action movies and their synthesized sound effects. When listening to speakers, take note of subtle nuances, the sound imaging, ambience, spatial cues, etc. Don't merely audition speakers by blasting them to outrageous volumes, all speakers sound good very loud. The outstanding speakers can maintain detail and definition at very low volumes too. Don't just listen for clean output, low distortion, boomy bass, and sharp highs. Any speaker can do that, only good speakers can reproduce music with acoustic realism. If you are shopping for an entire home theater system from scratch, remember that the speakers are singly the most important component of the whole system. At least 60% of your audio budget should be allocated to speakers. Good luck in your search for the perfect speakers!