Thanks for your detailed replies.
@csh, I'm happy to offer what I can. I will reiterate, that I would focus on getting the gear in place properly for the theater setup above all else.
The JVC is a nice model, but I might opt for the new LG HU810 instead. It is a light canon which is nice for when you have some lights on. It doesn't have the contrast of the Epson, and is similar to what the JVC will offer, but it really puts out lumens that set a benchmark. Please hit up Projector Central (.com) for a review of that model and see what it delivers. It also integrates smart features, which is a small perk. Mostly, I think it is one of the first projectors to full leverage the chips that are inside most TVs these days. So, you get better firmware, and better OS support than you do with almost any other model. Pair it with a laser light engine, and you are a step ahead.
The one consideration, and I don't think it is huge, is that lamps can be replaced. So, that Epson you asked about has a lamp that can be replaced by the end user if it fails. If the laser goes out on the JVC, or the LG, it requires a return trip to the factory for replacement, and I would expect it to be pricey. Still, at 20,000 hours, for 2 hours use a day, that's 730 hours a year, or over 20 years of use. So, the laser likely won't go before some other piece of internal electronics, like the fans, or a power supply.
Anyway, I do think that the Speakercraft will be a better home theater speaker, while I would wait on purchasing any 'club' like speakers until after you are in the space and really get a feel for how much more oomph you want from the system.
I will say that I am not a genius of the nuances between different speakers and I lean towards cheaper speakers with as good of quality as possible for in-wall stuff. Then I start asking questions for floor standing models, or just get the models that work for my budget and space and simply enjoy them.
BE AWARE OF LIGHTS!!!!!!!
I can't emphasize this enough. Lighting is, relatively speaking, super cheap up front. $20 or so per recessed fixture maybe an hour of labor. After the room is finished, triple the labor cost, or more. So, get lighting installed in zones and verify on forums (like this one) before you call it done.
I recommend that you put in 'general' lighting in several dimmable zones, then put in some specific task 'spotlighting' over the seating. This is easy, it's cheap, and it is often overlooked and then people complain because they have to turn lights on which screw up the projected image, to eat snacks or read a book. I can't tell you how awesome task lighting is. I can only say that it is awesome.
Example of directional lighting in place: