Looking for some advice...

[realzed]

I'm new here and have done some searching around enjoyed many of the questions and responses in this forum - and would appreciate some good / expert advice regarding my home theatre 'set-up in the making'...
I have a new 50" Panasonic plasma with S77 DVD player and Panasonic DVD recorder that I now want to add some decent sound to.
To this point (and there are fairly restrictive dollar values that I have to stay bound by) I am looking at either a Yamaha RX-V559 or 669 receiver (is their YAPO-thing a wothwhile option to consider?) to go with hopefully some Paradigm 330 speakers.
I have a fairly large 18x20 room and intended to initially purchase only two speakers to be mounted beside the plasma on the wall and add the centre and smaller rears, as well as the sub in the near future as budget permits.
I'm not a real A/V freak but I do want to get some nice sound for watching movies etc. and just normal listening without the TV on. I don't wish to spend much more than the range of the products I listed here and have considered B&W and Sinclair speakers as well as other receiver brands as well - so if anyone has any experience and would care to comment or give impressions as to what they consider these choices would end up working like - it would be very much appreciated. - Thanks - Randy

 

[Takeereasy]

The only comment I have is that that is a VERY big space. I'd wait to get a sub with the speakers, otherwise odds are you'll be dissapointed with the sound initially IMO.

On the other hand you have some really nice components to start with so you've laid the foundation right IMO. Yamaha's YPAO is a worthwile product IMO (again) if you want a quick and pretty accurate setup. I still swear by a seperate SPL meter and a calibration disc, but I have fun tinkering with my components.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

The Yamaha is a good lead, I have a similar model.
On the speakers, you should consider the Pardigm Monitor Series or Klipsch Reference series for better performance in your large room. You should also consider bookshelf and floorstanding models from internet direct companies like Onix (av123.com), Axiom Audio, and Ascend depending on your budget.