I have an old surround processor and a couple of speakers hooked up behind the chair(s). My front end stereo provides 98% of the sound that the listener needs to hear. I do not use a "center"-channel speaker.

I've been into hifi/stereo for a long time. The most important thing is to have a good setup with your two front stereo speakers, which includes good amplification, cables, speaker wire, etc. I can't give much advice on current models of speakers, amps, CD players, etc. There are magazines that have information, such as Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, Sound and Vision, and others. I would generally not recommend Consumer Reports, Stereo Review, or Audio Magazine. These publications do "measurements" of equipment performance and the sound quality is not addressed enough, if at all.

The bottom line is: Put the majority of resources into the front-end first, and add the surround components and rear speakers later.