There is no right way, there is only expensive and quality or low budget and shitty, and I guess mid level but not cheap. its just like cars, fast isn't cheap and cheap isn't fast.Gah. So many questions! Those get great reviews and look like a great speaker, but they're rated at 200watt versus the 400watt VM speakers that were in a wood box, also got good reviews, and were $100 for the pair rather than $150 each. Although those look much smaller and more easily mounted somewhere based on their size and their look.
Do you recommend an amp for any system that I get or only if the speakers are passive and don't have their own amplifier?
I guess some of my struggle with this stuff is that so much of it seems to be each individual's opinion and there doesn't seem to be only one "right" way to do things.
Good powered speakers are way out of your Budget and are usually heavy as fuck. I wouldn't get any self powered speakers unless you plan to have a professional install. They can weigh up to 100lbs a piece or more depending on the woofer size.
In all honesty man, you really can't go wrong with getting good quality set of Book Shelf and a home theater receiver considering your not DJing or putting on a concert or doing Karaoke.
I was just at Chilis and took this pic...they are just using small two way's and it sounded perfect...