RE: my first bow
I have an AR34 (Archery Research). Its got the Calm and a half. I shot other bows like Mathews, Hoyts, Martins, PSE's. My AR34 shoots just as well as the rest. I think all the bows they make these days are all damn good.
I reccomend you go down to a store with bows, esepcially one that has an indoor shooting range. Then they will let you try what you want, and you can see what fits you best.