Paradigm makes some good quality speakers, but so do many other companies. I imagine the local high priced audio store you mentioned probably had them set up in a listening room. That can be a better environment to audition speakers than in an open environment like Best Buy or Circuit City where...
You can add Pioneer Elite to that list too. The trouble is you can audition all of those at a store except the Emotiva. They're all good, and have their strengths and weaknesses. Not to pick on the Onkyo (it's a great reveiver), but just as an axample, the higher line of Onkyos are reported to...
Speakers will not sound exactly the same in different rooms, period! Any speakers you listened to in a store aren't going to sound the same at home. Notice I didn't say they weren't going to sound good, just not the same. You can take speakers from your living room, put them in your bedroom and...
I did a search on Denon's site under archives, strangely enough they didn't list the 1200. I did find an AVR 1100. Here's the link. Denon USA | Archived AV Receivers
I agree, IMO you'll have a hard time telling any difference between a 60hz & 120hz. I was in the same situation as you 11 months ago going between a 46" Sharp D62 series and a Toshiba 47LZ196. I'm very glad and satisfied with my choice to purchase the Toshiba.
I read your other thread and must say, for $25K your going to get one heck of a home theater. As far as the speakers go, take along some CD's that you are familiar with and audition as many speakers in your budget as you can. Like Alon said 'audio is very subjective', what sounds good to you may...
Got 3: one in the family room system, one in the kids basement recroom system, and one VCR/DVD recorder in the kitchen. Gotta agree with Andrew Pratt, the clock has been the only thing that is used on the FR and RR systems. I guess I'm too lazy to move the racks away from the wall and disconnect...