Contest Question: Pretend you are looking to purchase your first or second flat panel TV, which of the following speaker configurations would you consider? Why or why not?
[1]In wall 5.1 system
[2]Front towers or bookshelf 5.1 or 7.1 system
[3]Soundbar with simulated surround plus a sub
[4]Smallest possible on wall solution
[5]Wireless surrounds or wireless system
[6]Other?
[1] I would have to go with the in-wall 5.1 system, because I know my wife would prefer the aesthetics to any other option, and I have the skills to run the wires in-wall in a new or existing home, as well as install the speakers. Also, I have found that, if installed properly, in-wall speakers can sound excellent.
[2] Bookshelf speakers or towers would be great, but my wife could have problems with the aesthetics and it would require some extra money to make sure all the speakers have real wood veneers and are more attractive than many of the speakers out there. It may be that I have to keep those relegated to the dedicated HT, but that is what it is for.
[3] The soundbar solution seems like a gimmicky thing to me, and great sacrifices would be made in sound quality.
[4] Small on-walls would be making a sacrifice in sound over properly installed in-walls. I like the sound of some of the larger on-wall solutions, but the smallest possible solution seems like too much of a compromise.
[5] Finally, wireless systems have not matured enough that one can replace wires with a power adapter and a wireless receiver and maintain a reasonable sound quality and proper timing, in my opinion and limited experience with such systems. I still use wires for my internet too!
[6] The only other option I can think of is to just use the TV speakers, but that just seems like the worst idea ever.