I've owned Wilson, Dynaudio, B&W, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Dunlavy, Dalquist, JBL, Kef, Monitor Audio and Totem speakers...not the cheap stuff either, and Totem has won my heart!  Totem delivers the essence of music with even less than stellar ancillaries, but will rise to an exhalted level when mated to exceptional gear.  They simply draw you in and grab your soul....unless of course you don't have a soul to grab hold of?   

Well if it were me I would skip the center and rear speakers and focus completely on two good quality front main speakers. I have yet to hear a surround sound setup that can top a proper two channel setup. The price range you are looking to shop within is a tuff one as things don't start to get interesting until about double that value, especially if you are looking for a full range tower speaker.

There are a boat load of excellent monitors in the price range you listed. I would probably look for a top notch monitor , mid-fi sub combo in the 5k range to get the most bang for my buck initially. This is assuming you don't feel like shopping the used market on Audiogon for even more bang for the buck.

If you get a good enough monitor now then all you have to do later is shoot for a better sub and amp to add the next level of SQ to your system.

but a mint pair of used Magnepan 1.6QRs modified by Magnestand.

http://www.indiespinzone.com/magnestand.html

I agree that a good two channel system is likely to produce better sound than a cacophony of multiple speakers and the complex electronics needed to drive them.

is to me an oxymoron. You seem to be really off track.  The Genelec is a nearfield monitor, not likely to be optimal for a surround sound system, let alone a 3500 sq. ft. room.

If you really want a surround system look at the new Golden Ear Tritons.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/goldenear-technology-tritoncinema-two

But you gotta listen.

that is all that really matters.  I have Magnepans myself and would think you could do a lot worse than that set up for $6000.  What kind of amp are you looking at to drive the 1.7s?  For a 3500 sq. ft. room you probably weren't oversold.

have. The Anthem Statement A2 is a fine amp, but instead I'd look into the Emotiva XPA-2 on sale right now for $719 delivered and save about $500.  The Denon should be just fine for center and surround duty, although maybe at a later date you could get an Emotiva XPA-3 or XPA-5 to drive those.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/496-a-secrets-power-amplifier-review.html

http://www.audioxpress.com/reviews/media/lyle710.pdf

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-xpa-2

driving Magnepan MMGs modified by Peter Gunn.  I also have an Emotiva USP-1 preamp and ERC-1 CD player.  The Emotiva products perform way above their price point.  And I know what the saleperson is talking about...the bad experience comes from Emotiva products he doesn't sell which have sound quality which rivals anything he does sell.  I've heard the Emotiva XPA-2 ($719) and the Parasound Halo A21 ($2300) and the A21 doesn't beat the XPA-2 by much, certainly makes one think about whether or not a marginal increase in sound quality is worth a hefty increase in price.  If you have the means, you could check out the Emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks (1000 watts into 4 Ohms) which would really make those Magnepans shine.  You can try them for 30 days and return them for a full purchase price refund if you don't want them.

My system: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/MagnestandMMG1.jpg

Emotiva XPA-1 review: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/520-a-secrets-power-amplifier-review.html