Complete Home Theater Setup.. Need help??

[Head Hog]

I would like to gather people's thoughts. I've just recently purchased a Condo here in Hollywood. I'm wanting to outfit my living room with In-wall speakers and 2 ceilings speakers for the rear. This will be a 5.1 surround sound setup. I want the best setup for the money. Meaning, I'll entertain any amount until it doesn't make sense economically. For example, I do not care to hear about $30,000 70" plasma or LCD's. With that said I'll give you a little background information so you better infromed on what I'm looking for.

My living room measure's 14'9 x 19'4 also attached to the Living Room is an open Dining Room which measures 9'4 x 14'2. However, this Dining Room is in the rear of the living room and it does have a small qaurter wall sperating the two. The ceilings throughout the condo are 9ft. I'll be buying an L shaped couch and the viewing distance from the television will be around 8-10ft.

I currently am using a 50" Samsung DLP 1080p. I do enjoy this tv but the viewing angels aren't very good. I'm looking at the Pioneer 1080p 50" Models. In the past I've had a LCD-Rear Projection and now DLP. To my eye Plasma is the best still considering they now have Plasma's with 1080p that is my #1 choice. I'll be selling my DLP sense I want a sharp clean look of a flat panel on the wall. The flat panel will be mounted with all the wiring concealed.

My question is this. What A/V Receiver, Speakers, Sub, and TV should I buy for what I'm trying to accomplish? This will be the center piece of my home must be sharp, elegant and clean. I've been quoted from crutchfield a price of around $9000. Most of this price is coming from the Sony 52" LCD 1080p and Onkyo reciever at $900 on crutchfield. The speakers are Polk Audio. What is everyone's thoughts? What is the best for the money?

I'm looking to accomplish this all within 65 days.

-Thanks

 

[mazersteven]

I would like to gather people's thoughts. I've just recently purchased a Condo here in Hollywood. I'm wanting to outfit my living room with In-wall speakers and 2 ceilings speakers for the rear. This will be a 5.1 surround sound setup. I want the best setup for the money. Meaning, I'll entertain any amount until it doesn't make sense economically.

My living room measure's 14'9 x 19'4 also attached to the Living Room is an open Dining Room which measures 9'4 x 14'2. However, this Dining Room is in the rear of the living room and it does have a small qaurter wall sperating the two. The ceilings throughout the condo are 9ft. I'll be buying an L shaped couch and the viewing distance from the television will be around 8-10ft.



-Thanks

www.triadspeakers.com

For more info

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?userid=2594

 

[mjhamre]

Panasonic is launching two 1080p panels later this month, 50 and 58 inch, model numbers have 700 in them. They have "limited release" versions 750s coming with fancier color calibration later this summer. AVS definitely has way more info than most people want on plasmas, their threads run into the hundreds of pages, but from what I've read (simplified grossly) the Pioneers often get the edge in color and overall picture quality, but the Panasonics are often listed as better bang for buck.

In-wall speakers are tough to audition, multiple people recommended the Triads when I was looking at on-wall and in-wall speakers. I did not manage to listen to them in my auditioning. I went with Gallo AVs on-walls which are a bit pricy but sounded really good to me (and I like the design). The axiom in-walls were reviewed very well here, and would be another one to consider, although being able to demo an internet direct speaker only works so well when they are in-walls (guess you could start smallest first )

You can poke around the sub threads for recommendations, Hsu and SVS are both very popular internet direct companies considered to be very good values.

Receivers recommendations will also cover lots of ground, but it seems like there are a lot of recommendations for Denon, Yamaha, and Pioneer here. Definitely check out the $10k and probably $5k and $15k ones too...

Good luck.
--Matt

 

[jcPanny]

HT system

Sounds like you already have a descent display.
I would recommend spending your money on the 5.1 speaker system, a receiver, and an upscalling DVD player or HD-DVD.

Some people like Polk, but there are plenty of options in your budget. Go to some local dealers (B&M, not Big Box Stores) to audition speakers and see what sounds best to your ears.

Asthetically, the speakers can be just as impressive as the display. Check out the Rosewood veeneer on these models:
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=78.1
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=79.1

Upgrade to a 50" plasma in a year or two when the prices are more reasonable.

 

[AVRat]

The Polk TC & LC lines of in-walls are good quality speakers, their subs not so good. Another option you might consider is plasma friendly on-walls that many manufacturers now make. In keeping with your current price range, a set of Def Tech Mythos 2/3 and UIW64s for surrounds would be nice. If you would like to stick with in-walls, Def Techs offer great performance/value also. For a good quality sub that meets your spatial needs, an HSU VTF-2 MK3 or SVS PB10/12-NSD should fit the bill. The Onkyo 804 receiver is a decent option. If yould like a smaller format sub, there is a bit of a premium to pay but a couple good options are the SVS SB12-Plus and Def Tech SuperCube I.

http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/loudspeakers.html
http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box.cfm

 

[davidtwotrees]

Why so set on in wall speakers?!

Gosh, I don't know. Usually in walls are for what purpose? WAF? Lack of Space? Trying to make a room look like a theatre? For me personally, the look of a hot set of front speakers and a matching center speaker make as much of a statement as the TV. From a decorating perspective, you can give a warm touch with beautiful wood on the speakers, or if you like modern go with the black finish. As far as Hi End sound, where does in wall stack up?
My Mordaunt Short powered fronts look really sharp. They aren't hi end, but some piano black NHT powered fronts can really make a statement, IMHO.