In-wall speakers

[sandyallan]

Hi Everyone,

I am planning to setup a 5.1 system in my family room which has a 2 storeys ceiling, very open and has hardwood floors (will put a large area rug). Will be putting in-walls for the front and rear at 10 feet off the ground. Realize this is far from an optimal media layout but I have no alternative. My listening position is 9 feet from the front and 3 feet from the rear. Would appreciate your comments and inputs on the followings:

- How's the sound quality of Polk RC85i or the new LC65i compares to Speaker Craft MT 8" series ? I couldn't find a store to test either in my area in Houston. Any suggestion of other brands ?

- What will be a matching center ? The CSi40 vs CSi5 for the RC85i ? Do they match with Speaker Craft MT series ?

- I am planning to put the center on the TV stand below the T.V. but am concern that it will be too far apart from my LF and RF. Even though if I put it on top of the T.V., it will be about 5 to 6 feet from the front pairs. Any suggestion ?

- Any recommendation of AVR for the above ?

- My budget for the 5.1 speakers (including the sub) and receiver is below $4,000.


Any feedbacks and comments are greatly appreciated.



Happy Holidays,

Al

[Shell]

I am not sure how the two polk in walls compare to the Craft MT but I can tell you the LC65i is an awesome in wall speaker. The only problem is it needs a ton of power as it it 4ohms and will be hard to match if your front channels are 8ohms. Some other posters on this board use the RC speakers for their surrond systems with great success. I will be using the RC80i in the ceiling and the RC65i in the wall in a multi-room audio system soon as I move into my new house. I will let you know how they sound.

[sandyallan]

Thanks. Please do keep me informed on your setup.

Happy Holidays,

Al

[donahue]

You may want to send out a message to Mantis (on this board). He knows just about everything about in-walls and installing them. He helped me out quite a bit with my surround setup.

donahue

[sandyallan]

Thank you for your suggestion.

Merry X'mas,

Al