Bose uses paper cones and still seems to cost $1 million dollars. paper cones = teh suck. you need to look around at other places, circuit city is teh suck as well. just because it's a well known name, doesn't mean it's a good product. there are a few places in Columbus that carry quality shit...the only problem is you have to pay an arm and a leg for it...therefore, just go in and demo what you want to hear, then find it at a better price online that's what i do. get the phonebook out and find some audio stores, bring in your favorite CD or DVD and ask them to play it...after you listen to some good brands you'll hear the difference.
some stuff in your range...i'd say, Energy, PSB, Klipsch, Paradigm, B&W.
finding a good total system on a budget is sometimes hard, always remember when watching movies, around 70% of the sound is coming from the center, and 20% from the front channels...i would splurge on those and not worry so much about the rears.
also check out http://www.audiogon.com they have new, used, and demo stuff at great prices. i have bought lots of stuff from there.