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Advice on Family Room Music/Movie System

Hi all

Looking for some advice on a family room music and movie system. I will put this together mostly from scratch as a second system. I do have a Sony DVP-NS9100ES player that will be the primary source, but I need speakers and power.

The room is somewhat space constrained for the speakers. I have a fireplace with a flat planel display mounted above. There is wall space on either side of the display, and wall space behind the seating area. Wall mounting is preferable because of young kids and the room layout.

So I'm looking for suggestions for small monitors and center channel that can be wall mounted, and maybe in-wall surrounds. Budget it not too big, maybe $1500 for all. Or maybe for the front three and I'll get surrounds later.

I suppose a good receiver is the way to go, maybe for around $1000. I value music performance, and 7 channels to drive a second zone would be a plus.

New or used is ok. So, what do you think?
bmdduck
Post removed 
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
I second the Integra 9.8 but would check out the Onkyo version that is in clearance on the Onkyo web site for less then $1K. I would not mount the center on the wall. For a great discussion of where to put the speakers check out the Toole book 'Sound Reproduction.
blindjim
2,837 posts
 
I'd only think of placing wall mounted speakers for the rears. I'd also think of running a ghost center ch instead of having to deal with the fireplace and positioning... stand... wall... etc.

I'd highly reccomend stand mounted speakers, or floor standers for the mains. There are a lot of small to mid sized speakers which do very well with music and HT... Mythos, VSA, Silverline... etc.

A receiver is the ticket for cost cutting. Check out Onkyo or maybe Marantz. I chose Onkyo.

put some money into the sub... for sure.

good luck...
bmdduck OP
99 posts
 
Thanks for the ideas so far.

I will probably lean away from active monitors because there is so much less to choose from than traditional speakers.

How good does a phantom center channel sound on movies? It would certainly simplify things. I'm favoring monitors that can be placed close to the wall if not on it, something front ported or sealed. Any good suggestions along those lines?

Any other good ideas on receivers with good musical sound quality?
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