7.1 Home theater critique for new home

[bompus]

We're having a home built and I'd love to finally be able to get my home theater system. I'm sure everybody says this, but I'm trying to get the best value/$ that I can. It doesn't have to sound perfect, just very good.

I'm going to have the home pre-wired for surround sound and install the speakers and system myself because I love doing it.

My proposed system is as follows..

Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR636
Center Speaker: Pioneer SP-C22
Front L/R Speaker: Pioneer SP-FS52
Subwoofer: Dayton Audio SUB-1200
Rear & Side Speakers (In-Ceiling): Micca M-8C or InwallTech Pro Gold M65.1C

Room layout:

Because of the location of the rears, and the fact that I need to keep my wife happy, I'm going with pivoting in-ceiling speakers for the rears and sides. I've never heard of InwallTech and can't find much info on them, so I'm inclined to go with the often-recommended and more affordable Micca brand instead.

I could get a 7-speaker "matched" in-ceiling/in-wall system from InwallTech, but something about having the center + front speakers mounted in-wall doesn't seem too great. I'm sure they sound good, but not as good as enclosed speakers. Having the fronts/center in-wall also introduces issues with placement of the television, etc that I would rather not have to deal with.

I'm open to differing opinions, so let me know what you really think. Thanks!

 

[Steve81]

First thought that comes to mind is whether you'd be inclined to set up for a 5.1.2 Atmos configuration vs 7.1 given that your prospective Onkyo supports it. In that case, you'd want a set of side surrounds around ear level, a pair of in ceiling speakers configured like so:

http://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/dolby-atmos-home-theater-101/5.1.2.jpg/image_view_fullscreen

Beyond that, the Pioneer speakers are well regarded (not familiar with options in the in-ceiling market, so no comment there). I'm personally not overfond of Onkyo since they ditched Audyssey, but minor detail.

 

[bompus]

Yeah, I thought about it, but I doubt I can convince the wife to let me put the side surrounds at ear level - whether in the wall or on stands.

 

[Steve81]

In that case, I'd probably switch AVRs to the (cheaper, yay) Denon AVR-X1100W to get Audyssey MultEQ XT versus Onkyo's proprietary room correction system. I'd personally also stick with 5.1 versus 7.1, though opinions there will vary. Whatever you save, put towards the subwoofer budget and swing for something like the Rythmik LV12R or SVS PB1000.

 

[bompus]

Hrm.. If I switched to 5.1, I'd probably then just mount a couple of Pioneer SP-BS22 on the side walls, unless it would be too far away. I'll have to think about that.

 

[lsiberian]

Don't you have a dedicated room in your build? It shouldn't be too expensive to simply add one in.

5.1 is plenty. Don't do in-wall or in-ceiling. Putting a couple surrounds on the wall isn't really that big of a deal. I'm sure you can get your wife to agree to it.

 

[bompus]

It's in a planned community - we don't get the option to add a room because we're stuck with the lot size. Talked with the wife and she is fine with 5.1 and having bookshelf speakers ( probably a couple of Pioneer SP-BS22 ) mounted or sitting on the side walls. I'm actually open to the idea of 5.1 instead of 7.1 because then I will have a matched set of speakers and as you mentioned, can put more towards a sub if I wanted to.