Well, yes... if he is going wired he should just get a pair of Klipchorns or some Altec Voice of the Theater, maybe some Realistic Mach IIIs.
I am half serious, I really like speakers from the 70s stereo wars. There are some Pioneer and Sansui speakers that are incredible, as well as being nice furniture.
 

 
Oh... I forgot you said cheap!
 
Look for Pioneer SX-1010 that has been checked out and find some Machs or some Sansui or Pioneer speakers with the lattice and never look back. They still don't make stereos to compare to these.
 

We tried a Bose system with a sub and it sounded great for the price. He really only needs two speakers plus sub for the large room. £200 or less on eBay. And yes exactly know where you are coming from jbow. I wouldn't swap my 1980's seperates HiFi for the world and could buy it again online for peanuts.

jbow
Well, yes... if he is going wired he should just get a pair of Klipchorns or some Altec Voice of the Theater, maybe some Realistic Mach IIIs.
I am half serious, I really like speakers from the 70s stereo wars. There are some Pioneer and Sansui speakers that are incredible, as well as being nice furniture.
 

 
Oh... I forgot you said cheap!
 
Look for Pioneer SX-1010 that has been checked out and find some Machs or some Sansui or Pioneer speakers with the lattice and never look back. They still don't make stereos to compare to these.
 

I used to BUILD and sell corner speakers that were based on the Klipschorns.  Had Gauss speakers in the bottom - can't remember up top - been 35 years.
 
EXCELLENT speakers - would use the walls of the house for sound reinforcement.  What's not to like about that?
 
Bob Bone

Well, if wired, something like these speakers may work.
 Passive Speaker System.

6" Woofer speaker system can handle up to 280 watts power
$199.99 or so for a pair
http://www.jbl.com/estore...roductOnly&sCatId=


bookshelf speaker.
Sensitivity(2.83V@1m) 88dBMaximum Recommended Amplifier Power150WCrossover Frequencies3000Hz – 24dB/octave; 9000Hz – 18dB/octaveFrequency Response(-3dB) 50Hz – 40kHzNominal Impedance8 ohmsPower Handling (Peak)280WPower Handling (Recommended)70WFive year warranty.