Speaker decisions for new home theater

[tnag3]

I have been reading through the threads in the Newbie and other forums that have dealt with the development of new theaters. I'm in the middle of a renovation on my house. We are changing the back of our house from a straight colonial (kitchen on right, den on left) to one where we bump out the family room and enlage the kitchen and change den to eating area.

The room sizes will be (I didn't even know this was important before reading these post and responses):

Family room (where HT will be) is 21 x 21 ft. at 9 foot height on the back wall is fireplace on the left wall is home theater cabinet and the left wall is exit to patio.

Eating area is ~13 x 15 and is open to family area at 8 ft height

Kitchen is 13 x 15 at 8 foot height

These rooms generally open to each other.

Here are my basic questions:

Basic assumptions:

Assumption 1: 5.1 or 7.1 depending if I can find location for the side speakers, Subwoofer will be beside cabinet on the floor, back or side (to the degree that we do them) are either in ceiling or in wall.

Assumption 2: I am not an audiofile. I have lived 10 years using the speakers from my TV (first tube, then flatpanel) HOWEVER I want it to be better, I aspire to be better.

Assumption 3: I plan to spend about $3000 to $6000 for the equipment and installation.

1. Front Speakers: I have read that in ceiling isn't the best decision for speakers for the left, front and center. If I can't do towers, is it best to do a shelf speaker and place at TV height in the cabinet (the cabinet will house a 60 in TV and have 18 in wide side shelves on both side

What speaker recommendations would work best and fit into my target price. Based on $1000 for receiver, that would leave about $200 to $300 per speaker.

2. Side/Back speakers: I'd like these to be in wall or ceiling due to aesthetics. I'd prefer round ceiling and the sides have to be in ceiling due to room design, but back could be in wall if necessary. It will be in an outside wall and I'm not sure how big an issue that is.

What speaker recommendations would be best for these.

3. Subwoofer: I have seen a bunch of recommendations for these, but I can't tell what makes a good one and what doesn't. Could someone provide a simple, initial areas of focus I should learn about on subs. It will be floor mounted.

4. Receiver: I have seen some of the post show fans and some are silent. When do I know that I need a fan for the receiver?


Thanks for any help. I have already learned a great deal from the post I have read.

 

[j_garcia]

Speakers - Bookshelf speakers will work, but placing them inside a cabinet isn't ideal for sound for them or the center. Choose the speakers before you choose the receiver. In that price range I'd probably look at Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio Three CMT-340SEs up front.

Surrounds - I probably would not mount in-walls on an external wall - it can be done, but I'd go with all in-ceiling surrounds.

Sub - depends on how much you realistically want to spend. Of that budget and that room size, I'd probably look to spend about $600. The room isn't massive, but it is decent size and I'd jump on this deal right now while it is still on sale: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/deals-deals-deals/85027-outlaw-lfm-ex-$629-free-shipping.html

Receiver - anything in that price range will do the job. For me right now it is Marantz and Denon, but Yamaha is not a out of the running.

 

[tnag3]

Thanks. I agree with in ceiling for back wall. That would be better regardless, but would prefer to leave the outside wall clean.

 

[fmw]

I once has a pair of B&W 805 bookshelf speakers. To say they were accurate and detailed would be an understatement. Couple them with a good quality sub and your system will absolutely amaze you. Go visit a local B&W dealer and listen for yourself.

 

[Scumfrog]

If you do incorporate your speakers in a cabinet, then please consider using blu-tac or similar. This will help to control in evitable rattling that cabinets tend to have. just a piece on each corner of each speaker will suffice.
Good listening,
Mike