I don't know who makes quality in-wall/in-celing speakers, so I don't feel comfortable putting my two cents in on that.
I will say that $1500 for 7 speakers and a sub is going to be a pretty big stretch. I could see putting that much alone on a pair of
PB12-NSD - SVS subs.
I would suggest taking it down from a 7.1 to a 5.1 system, if only to not split up the budget so many different ways.
The Ascend suggestion is good, if you're willing to move away from in-wall/in-celing. I considered a pair of 340s before going with their Sierra-1s for my L-C-R and they do pretty well for my non-reference SPL level movie watching.