Seanile
You mentioned an "open back to the kitchen" of your room and I believe that it deserves some attention as well in order to achieve the best sound that you can without compromising your expenditures. I have a much smaller room that has an open partially open front wall (my speakers are on the front from where I'm sitting) to the kitchen and by investing in Room Tunes I have elevated the sound to a level that I never had before, instead of changing equipment (as I had), spending thousands and never getting anywhere near the resulting satisfaction as I enjoy now. It's just my opinion that you should also make this a consideration for your monetary allocation and enjoyment and let me know what you think if you would.
You mentioned an "open back to the kitchen" of your room and I believe that it deserves some attention as well in order to achieve the best sound that you can without compromising your expenditures. I have a much smaller room that has an open partially open front wall (my speakers are on the front from where I'm sitting) to the kitchen and by investing in Room Tunes I have elevated the sound to a level that I never had before, instead of changing equipment (as I had), spending thousands and never getting anywhere near the resulting satisfaction as I enjoy now. It's just my opinion that you should also make this a consideration for your monetary allocation and enjoyment and let me know what you think if you would.