Home Theater Main Speakers?

I know some of you guys out here are audiophiles, or at least enthusiasts. During the summer, I got a new TV, receiver and DVD player. I have a 5.1 setup right now, but the main speakers have blown mid's, and I'm looking for a new pair of nice ones. So, in your own opinion or experience, what are some quality brands, and more so, models? I know (or at least think I know) that JBL and Infinity are nice ones, but after that, I'm a tad lost. I'm looking for a pair at a price up to $300-500. Also, another question on the side here. My receiver puts out 100W to each channel. Do I need to get speakers that can handle more than 100W? If I get ones that are say 200W, when I turn the vol. all the way up on my receiver, are the speakers(200W) able to handle that easily? If someone could explain, or point me to an explination of wattage meanings in speakers, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for all your help, Ian __________________ ---------------------------------------------------- So, in your own opinion or experience, what are some quality brands, and more so, models? I know (or at least think I know) that JBL and Infinity are nice ones, but after that, I'm a tad lost. I'm looking for a pair at a price up to $300-500. ----------------------------------------------------- Ok.. 1st: Don't rely on brand names! Instead rely on what you like the sound of. Get out and listen to some speakers. There is going to be a compromise, (size of speakers/price/appearance/sound) it's up to you to find out what YOU like. 2nd: If you liked your old speakers, get them repaired! You can easily and (somewhat) cheaply get your speakers reconed for a LOT less than the price of new speakers. ------------------------------------------------------ My receiver puts out 100W to each channel. Do I need to get speakers that can handle more than 100W? If I get ones that are say 200W, when I turn the vol. all the way up on my receiver, are the speakers(200W) able to handle that easily? ------------------------------------------------------ Watt ratings on speakers are pretty much bull5hit. If you get some decent speakers they will be able to handle whatever you throw at them (within reason). Where the distortion comes from is NOT your speakers - but your amplifier (in your reciever). The higher the volume, the higher the distortion. Some of the distortion will come from your speakers if you over-drive them, but I'll be willing to bet it's mostly from your amp. I haven't seen many recievers where you can turn the volume all the way up to the 11 position without it starting to clip/distort like crazy. Of course you need speakers that can handle the power, but like I originally said, don't rely on the power handling rating too much. Good luck!! __________________ I called the manufacturer of my speakers to see what the repair cost would be, and he told me because tehy were 9 years old, they could only give me a ball park figure. After you add in S+H, it would cost me around $150 each speaker, at a minimum, to get it repaired. So that's why I'm after new ones. Also, in my town, there isn't a whole lot of retailers to choose from, so thats why I was after other peoples opinions. We just got a Best Buy, but they only have 9 or 10 sets of speakers, and they want a whole lot of money for them as well. Other than that, there's one Audio\Video speciality store, but they don't have a big selection either. I was thinking of using my GC's from echo on some of the more expensive JBL's at amazon. Mavi forum