The Sonance speakers are the best you have listed, by far, IME. They are a serious step up with aimable drivers and much higher build quality than typical speakers.
If you want to get reasonable audio, then you can go with something far more budget oriented and get good sound. Keeping in mind, that I bet this space isn't at all designed for good audio quality. If the room isn't designed for best audio quality, putting in top shelf speakers won't make it sound like a cathedral. It will sound like a weak room with so-so speakers at best.
I have put B&W in-ceiling speakers (6.5") head to head with Monoprice 8" in-ceiling speakers, and there was no question that the larger Monoprice speakers simply sounded better in their less than ideal space.
In‑ceiling speakers allow you to expand your listening environment throughout your entire home, as well as removing the clutter of giant box speakers, giving you back your
www.monoprice.com
That's under $100 a pair.
I'm not sure why the first contract includes a HDMI splitter that doesn't handle 4K60/18Gbs video. That seems like a waste. But, there may be a reason. It's just pricey for a HDMI 1.4 device. Likewise, the cables are a bit expensive. But, appropriate for the typical contractor.
I would not get all that hung up on labor pricing vs. materials pricing. Instead, look at the bottom line. If they are close, then overall you should expect similar price structuring. My labor rates, by example, tend to be high, but then I value the crap out of their materials so that the bottom line works out nicely. I don't make a ton on materials, but the labor rate is appropriate to my area.
Denon vs. Yamaha is always a question.
There is nothing that impresses me about the Episode vs. Savant speakers that make me believe for a second that they will sound much better than the Monoprice speakers.
Yamaha vs. Denon is a toss up. Both manufacturers are solid quality and a good value for the money. It's a coin flip there.
The Strong mounts are ... mediocre. If you want an excellent articulating mount, then Chief is a cut above, and you will pay for it. If you want to work on a budget then keep in mind that the two companies specified completely different mounts. One is articulating, the other is fixed. Fixed mounts are a good deal less money for a quality mount, but should never cost more than $100. Articulating mounts DEMAND quality to support a display and to work well. So, they cost more.
Monoprice, again...
Heavy duty, articulating, dual arm mount:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12280
Heavy duty, tilting, extra wide mount:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6663
Neither of these passes $100. I might 'double' the price and be very happy with my profit margin and you would still only be paying about $100 a mount.
If you buy everything yourself, these companies MUST up their installation costs to cover their actual expenses.
A fair question is to where the equipment will be located in relation to the TV and the speakers. It seems that they both offered HDMI extender systems. But only the SECOND company included a unit which supports 18Gb/s HDMI. The first company stops with 1080p stuff. This is a problem as it eliminates a potential upgrade path which you may need in the future. But once, save later.
Looking at these two proposals, the second company does a better job with future proofing and I like the Yamaha surround receiver over the stereo receiver (personal preference really). I might opt for an articulating TV mount as that will make things much better long term. If you want to get a couple of components on your own to provide, then they may keep labor the same and allow you to do so. Pick up that Monoprice articulating mount and a couple of pairs of Sonance (or Monoprice) speakers and save a few hundred bucks but then get the better HDMI extender and perhaps cleaner install.
Do NOT think for a second that all installations are 'the same'. They are not. I know I label all cabling and make sure that equipment is HDMI2.0 compatible from the start.
The lack of HDMI cables specified in the second contract bugs me a bit. Perhaps pick up some HDMI cables that are certified at 18Gb/s from Monoprice while you are there...
Monoprice™ Certified Premium High Speed HDMI® Cables are designed to meet and exceed the highest standards of HDMI performance. Capable of delivering 18Gbps bandwidth, these are the only cab
www.monoprice.com
At a few bucks each, and at different lengths, it won't break the bank to add a few.
You have options. I use Monoprice all the time as one of my suppliers and while I don't advertise it as anything more than a 'contractor brand', I do emphasize that most people simply don't have the room to appreciate high quality in-ceiling speakers, and a 'high-quality' in-ceiling speaker is typically NOT what they are purchasing. They are just buying the same $80 pair of Monoprice speakers except paying hundreds of dollars more.
