Is the $1195 mentioned in your original post the high limit of what you want to spend? That would be helpful to give you more guidance. I don't think I'm the one to do that, however. I just don't know that area all that well to give you recommendations. I have an Anthem MRX 710 in my family room that powers a surround system. I have Paradigm Studio 20 V2 speakers as the mains and smaller Paradigms for the rear channels, center channel, and sub. The sub was part of my original surround system and has served us well for about 19 years. Other speakers were bought used on the audio sites as our first pairs of Atoms crapped out. My wife likes it OK. She doesn't get too excited about the sound--much more interested in the picture. My good system is in a dedicated room in the basement. There is a big difference between the 2 systems. Most likely, others will be able to give you more help--at least, a few components to check out.
There IS a super set of speakers you could get for under $1000 on a couple of the sites. If you have any interest in a pair of speakers you may never have the urge to upgrade, PM me. I've heard these personally at the maker's house and they are the real deal if you like detailed sound, very good bass, and a near live experience, if desired. They will not break up at VERY LOUD levels and have zero listener fatigue. They have the dynamics of a horn speaker, but the tone, and clarity of pretty much any speaker you'd like to name. NO NEED for a sub either. They would pretty much scare the hell out of you in those places of a scary or tense sudden dynamic shift during a movie scene.
Bob
There IS a super set of speakers you could get for under $1000 on a couple of the sites. If you have any interest in a pair of speakers you may never have the urge to upgrade, PM me. I've heard these personally at the maker's house and they are the real deal if you like detailed sound, very good bass, and a near live experience, if desired. They will not break up at VERY LOUD levels and have zero listener fatigue. They have the dynamics of a horn speaker, but the tone, and clarity of pretty much any speaker you'd like to name. NO NEED for a sub either. They would pretty much scare the hell out of you in those places of a scary or tense sudden dynamic shift during a movie scene.
Bob