Receiver + 5.1 Speakers ~$1500.00

[GUIdev]

Looking for recommendations on a 5.1 speaker setup; coupled with a receiver for around $1500.00. If the cost is lower that is certainly ok...

The room is roughly 18x19 however it serves as the kitchen area, eating area, and family area. The back of the couch sits roughly 8.5ft from the wall mounted 42" TV, so close to the center of the room where it backs up to an island which is part of the kitchen.

We do not watch many movies; however broadcasts in 5.1 via OTA HD do happen on occasion. Music should be favored in the recommendations as that is much more common in our space then movies.

Another preference is that the satellites are wall/ceiling mountable as floor space is fairly important in the setup. If it is simply not a wise decision then floor-speakers for the front could be used but wall mountable speakers are certainly the preference.

The initial setups I have looked at were the Energy RC Micro 5.1 and the Klipsch HDT 500; both seem to have fairly good reviews for the price.

Thanks in advance for the help and if you are able to provide a receiver recommendation in conjunction with the speakers that would be great, otherwise I can post in the receiver section once I figure out the speaker setup.

 

[its phillip]

These are just my recommendations based on paper specs and reviews, I have no personal experience with the following equipment.

These speakers are currently out of stock, and I don't know if they'll be back...but hopefully they come back -
4x Infinity P162 ($340) http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P162BG/Infinity-Primus-P162-Black-grille.html?search=infinity+p162
1x Infinity PC250 ($150) http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108PC250BG/Infinity-Primus-PC250-Black-grille.html?search=pc250&skipvs=T
alternatively
4x Energy CB-5 ($150) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SAEXHW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0021L9BPG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1655ZTWCZAYG5KAZAH4F
1x Energy CC-5 ($199) http://www.amazon.com/Energy-CC-5-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B0021L9BPG
or
Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 SE front pr + HTM-200 SE center + HTM-200 SE rear pr ($664) http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/purchase/advisor.mv#bottom

Receivers -
Yamaha RX-V667 ($550) http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V667-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003P2V52M/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1300824860&sr=1-1
or
Onkyo TX-NR708 ($580) http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR708-7-2-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B003N197CU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1300824886&sr=1-1
alternatively you could get an older, used or refurbed receiver or a more entry model for less, I just chose these since they are the cheapest current models with preouts I found (for adding external amps for potential future upgrades).

One of these for the sub -
eD A2-300 ($415) http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407
eD A3-250 ($450) http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=951
HSU STF-2 ($388) http://hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html
HSU VTF-1 ($441) http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html
Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Compact ($399 + s/h) http://outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html
Or larger, more powerful models from the above manufacturers or others like SVS if you are willing to spend the extra couple hundred.

 

[GUIdev]

I was under the impression that bookshelf speakers should not go on the wall. If this is the case I would prefer to stick with something that can stand on the floor on its own; without a stand...due to children.

 

[its phillip]

The P162s are front ported and the Ascend HTM-200SE are sealed so neither of those should have issues with wall mounting. The Energys might but I dunno.

 

[GUIdev]

Any other ideas...?

 

[GUIdev]

The P162s are front ported and the Ascend HTM-200SE are sealed so neither of those should have issues with wall mounting. The Energys might but I dunno.

Phillip do you own either of these...?

 

[its phillip]

Phillip do you own either of these...?

These are just my recommendations based on paper specs and reviews, I have no personal experience with the following equipment.

Nope, I don't own either of em

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

"Energy RC Micro 5.1 and the Klipsch HDT 500"
Both areInadequate for your large space.

I'd go with bookshelfs phillip suggested, but small adjustment with avr and sub:
AC4L has Refub Onkyo TX-SR707 for $380 - I'd grab that in a second
and second regarding sub: eD Sub have excellent value, but they have month to two wait time (their sub are built to order)
Get the highly rated Emotiva Ultra 12 sub or Epik Legend (if have budget - go with Empire)
Both Excel for music

 

[nauc]

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR309-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004O0TRCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1301466166&sr=8-1

http://www.definitivetech.com/Products/products.aspx?path=Home Theater Speaker Systems|On-Wall Systems&productid=ProCinema 800 &hometheater=1

 

[GUIdev]

Have settled on the Ascend line...now trying to figure out if the 340 SE for front/center coupled with the HTM-200 SE for rears would be better then going with 170 SE for LCR + rears. With music being the most important I think the 340 route may be better, however I want to mount these to the wall/ceiling and 3 inches is needed for them and they are slightly larger...

Decisions...decisions...