Go with the 663 unless . . .
. . .
Looking at the Yamaha RX-V663 or the RX-V863. Is the 863 overkill?
They already have a Sony 52" XRB5 LCD. They recently bought a Samsung Blu-Ray Player.
They want the speakers in the ceiling and walls.
The room is 14'x30'X8'. . . .
Welcome to the forum!
With a room of that size ensure the AVR you select has
pre-amp outputs (both the 663 and 863 do). This will allow adding an external power amp later on, if needed. Depending on the speakers you select (size, nominal resistence and sensitivty rating) and listening habits external amplification could be a consideration.
The 663 is your better value unless a HD Radio Tuner (a form of high quality FM available in some areas) or a third HDMI input are needed. Otherwise the two AVRs are pretty much the same--see the following comparison from Yamaha's web site:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=567570&compitem3=567571&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&comp_items=567570&comp_items=567571&B_compare.x=21&B_compare.y=6
The power difference between the two is neglible in actual use. The "advertised" power rating for the 663 is 95W/channel while the 863 is 115W/channel--it takes a lot greater power difference to make an audible difference (further evidenced by both receivers weighing the same 26.2 lbs).
FWIW #1: I use Monoprice.com 6.5" woofer in-wall speakers in a 20x20x15 great room and they work very well, plus are VERY inexpensive.
FWIW #2: If not planning to use a subwoofer, I would strongly advise you consider it with most in-wall speakers. The money you save by using monoprice in-walls would probably allow a subwoofer in the original budget.
Cheers,
XEagleDriver
