one things you may want to consider is what you will do next. FOr example it sounds like you want a 2 channel system right now. All things equal with $1500 you can get some very nice speakers, especially if you can go used. Now do you think you will want to go with a 4.0, 4.1, 5.1 or something like that system in the future? If so you may want to think about what you will do with the stuff you are buying now. FOr example if you go bookshelves now they can be a surround later.
may help you narrow things down now.
