Okay, we have a lot of parallels (recent graduate student lifestyle, new house, similar-sized room, patient but slightly nervous wife, $3k budget). However, we also have a few differences - I listen to a greater % of music, and I already have a subwoofer and the electronics to drive everything. For the record, I have ordered a Salk Song surround system (SongTowers, SongCenter, SongSurround I's).
Personally, I think you should audition some more, and (heresy alert) maybe just hold off entirely and save up. For your applications, I'm not sure that I would recommend buying 2-3 speakers and a receiver now. You will be missing a lot when watching movies if you do not have surround speakers and a decent subwoofer. There certainly are systems including a receiver and subwoofer that you could get into for $3k, but that budget is a squeeze for Salks.
In a nutshell, go listen to the Salks if you can, and see if (like many of the people on this forum) you personally think that they are incredible speakers, a great value, and worth your money for your uses. Make sure you're playing the type of stuff you want to listen to through them - smooth jazz is not a good proxy for the primal bellow of a Tyrannosaurus. Maybe you (again, like many of us here) are willing to wait and save up for a full Salk surround system, a receiver, and a sub (~$5k would be a good approximation). Then again, you may find that you are not willing to alter your budget, in which case another set of equipment may make you quite happy.
In any event, doing your homework on what's out there is fun and helps to avoid the buyer's remorse that leads so many people in this hobby to "upgraditis."
Best of luck!