I am also looking for HTib reviews. I got a DVD player for xmas and thinking about taking it back for a surround sound system.
If you got to Circuit city.com you can find reviews on the different products.
I am looking at the Panasonic SC-HT95 for $450 WITH A $50 Rebate. The reviews are not very encouraging, but I am not a audiophile and perhaps it is good enough for my use. I am going to pick one up today and try it for awhile. I can always take it back and get a better one. One con I see mentioned on the Panasonic is that the speakers are prewired and you can't change to a larger cable without cutting the wires and splicing them.
I see many good reviews for the Onkyo HTS 650. It is a few dollars more.... $499.
BTW, Best Buy has the Samsung HT-DM150 for $284.99 It is a nice looking system, but performance is hard to decern in the store.