The VT-12 is one of the products that come to mind when "surround" and "limited budget" cross paths. There was some discussion a while back of a budget system consisting of a VT-12, the Hsu STF-1 sub (similar to the LFM-2, albeit with a few Hz less extension), and an inexpensive receiver like the Panasonic XR55 - total cost would come in around $750 or so before you picked up some cables and other supplies. That's pretty minimalist, of course - you could certainly improve on any of these components - but it's a start.