Based on what I'm understanding, your first preference is CD, and movie/dvd second. Just a preference of mine with that beautiful new Sony XBR screen.. I would go for movies first
nice tv!
I've actually been working with a friend of mine on about the same budget. The speakers are definitely a preference for your ears, as everyone 'hears' things a little differently and have different taste. Nothing wrong with that, but the advice would be to go listen to all the speakers you can. Even if you find some you like a little, bring the home and see how they sound in your room (you can always return them). That is one big, open room though, so it may take a nice, quality speaker and power to get the sound you are looking for (again this is based on the sound level you are accustomed to listening cds/dvds to). You may even want to go with 2 kick butt towers first, and maybe add a sub down the road (Please also consider the SVS PB-10..powerful little guy). JBL, Klipsch, Ascend are all pretty good speakers.
The receivers in that price range.. the Pioneer and Onkyo have some pretty solid recievers with plenty of hook-ups for what you are shooting for. The Sony's in the that price range are lacking in quality a bit. Since you will be enjoying many DVD music disc, go with a recieve with a home-theater type setup instead of just the 2-channel route. It will give you more flexibility down the road. (such as adding a center channel, and surrounds to get the best out of that nice movie experiece at home with that big TV)