RichKS - I can definitely see where you're coming from in terms of the money and hassle with setting up a good surround system. Most people who own thousand dollar speakers don't even have them in the right room conditions or position to get their money's worth in the first place.

However, I've been hearing A LOT about Yamaha's YSP-1 speaker system. It's just one unit that can sit on top or below your TV and has an out for a subwoofer. It's got around 42 speakers inside and projects the sound around the room without the hassle of setting anyting up. You even configure it to the size of the room and it callibrates where it bounces the sounds. I don't have one, nor have a heard it myself, but it sound like the solution for guys like you and me. You can find them on eBay for around $900...which is actually a bargain considering it's original MSRP was $1,500.

Only remaining problem might be that is still creeps you out...