Best 5.1 options under $5k

In my opinion, the SVS are okay but they are not the greatest resolution speaker. The best speakers I know of in this budget level are the Elac Debut Reference (DFR52, DCR52, DBR62). The SVS will sound a little dull in comparison to the Elac Reference.

Uh, @auxinput — what’s your basis for saying this?  Just looking at the center channel speaker, the Elac is a 2-way speaker with a tweeter flanked by two midwoofs reproducing the same frequencies and thus, along with limitations of being a 2-way design, is open to horizontal nodes affecting people sitting off center.  By contrast, the SVS center is a true 3-way design with a dedicated midrange driver located directly below the tweeter.  In my experience a center speaker with a dedicated midrange driver situated directly below the tweeter results in not only better midrange clarity but also more uniform sound from left to right.  Also, of all the reviews I’ve read of SVS speakers, none have mentioned them sounding “dull” and in fact have found them to be very revealing and neutral.  I’d be interested to hear where you’re getting your impressions from because they don’t jibe with anything I’ve read about SVS speakers.  Failing that, I’d reiterate my recommendation for SVS speakers and encourage the OP to read the reviews of all speakers involved. 

Sealed subs generally sound more clean, but they do have somewhat of an artificial sound to them (a very slight slant) where it almost sounds like a sine wave.  

Uh, what?  What the hell does that even mean?  Have you been drinking tonight?  Jeez. 

I've listened to a lot of subs and I've also listened to both SVS speakers and ELAC speakers on the same system.  That is my basis for my opinions. 

Boy, those 2ch guys dont give up Lol, their gonna go down with the 2ch ship :0)

i believe you need to concider your goal for stereo listening, if you listen occationally then a HT rig will do you fine, if you sit and listen to music and really want to recreate the atmosphere the recording and the instruments then we will need to reevaluate your system.

HT is fun, watching movies is a wonderful experience, the right system will translate the director’s intentions. Do you want to feel the bombs going off or watch them. Are you a quiet movie family or fo you wanna feel like BumbleBee is really shooting off crazy alien guns. Good thought ls ahead of time about your expectations will make this fun, hold off on the equipment list till you first figure out what you are looking for.

BMW 5 series stock will handle corners better than a stock Honda civic, i added “stock” because someone would argue that too hahaha

Build what you want. I am a 2ch guy for music and have 5.1 in our living room for family entertainment and lo level listening during parties.

SVS makes nice stuff as do Klipsch for a 5.1.