First time poster, so let me know if you need anymore information than what I have given. Main media room (family room) is mainly for TV/DVDs/Sports - I watch a lot of it. Music will be played in the house I like it to sound good but I'm not an audiophile. Thanks for all your help.
Family room will be setup as a 5.1 media room and the rest of the AV for my house will run through there. So far this is what I've found -
General Info Family room:
Room Size = 16 x 16 with one wall open to basically hallway
TV and equipment will be installed into built-in cabinet (way it came)
Family Room
AVR - Denon2311 $540
Front Channels L/R = B&W 686 (or 685)
Center Channel = B&W HTM62
TV = 52" Sony LCD
Sub = still looking
Remote = Logitech harmony 900
House audio = niles si 275 with 4 zone speaker selector
Questions I have for this room:
1. In-ceiling rear speakers
Speakercraft Aim8 one versus CRS6 one? - moderate difference in price, but noticeable? I went with them because my brother has similar speakers and they work well.
I also had another AV guy do a proposal and he recommended -Sonance 831R and 831R sst speakers for in-ceiling units. How do these compare to the speakercrafts and which would I use in a media room versus kitchen/living room?
2. Which Sub would you recommend? Budget ~500; magnolia rep recommended martin logan 10" 500 and the AV guy recommended Sonance 12-250 sub?
3. Is there another amp that would be better for my home to power - kitchen (2), living room (2), dining room (2), and outdoor (4) speakers? I picked niles si 275 because my brother has a similar unit.
Rest of the house:
Kitchen = 2 speakercraft CRS6ones or 2 sonance 831r or 831r sst?
Dining room = 2 niles CM6HD (came with home - are these good?)
Living room = 2 niles CM6MP (came with home - are these good? maybe put them elsewhere)
Outdoors = 4 Niles OS5.3 speakers and volume control
Master Bedroom = still figuring out what my end goal is as far as do I want a 2.1 system or in-ceiling speakers with the option of 5.1 later or just run off my Philips LCD
Other questions:
3. Do I need a power conditioner? Magnolia rep put one on the estimate
4. The niles speakers CM6HD/MP that came with the house - are these good or should I just put them in least prioritized rooms (living room/dining room)
5. Bluray players - anything specific that is worth picking up I was just going to go with something at best buy after reading a consumer report or something like that?
6. B&W 686 vs 685? I heard the 686 at magnolia and they sounded really good versus the lesser DT brand and even lesser brands, but I read 685s are even better. Also do I need a center channel if the L/R are closer together. I know center channel is preferred but the cut-out for my TV and built-in cabinet is just big enough for the TV so the center channel will be lying in front of it and may or may not obstruct the lower border. I will probably know more when all installed but can I get buy with just L&Rs for now
Thanks again for your time.
