HELP with in-wall custom installation!! I don't want to get screwed

[saaron83]

I'm not a huge audiophile by any means, but I do appreciate great sound. I just bought my first house. What I'm faced with is a deadline to get a system in place before the end of the month before my engagement party which is at my house.

I've gotten quotes from 3 custom installers that include speakers, universal plasma remote eye, and harmony one touch controller, and wiring. One quote also included about $1100 worth of Sonos Zone Player's which seemed like overkill, considering my budget is $2000 and I want to keep this as simple as possible. I already have a sub and will be using my Denon 3803 receiver and 2910 DVD player.

Basically I need 3 speakers, wiring redone, universal remote, plasma TV wall-mount and remote eye.

I'm told do redo the wiring is pretty basic, but my concern is with the speakers they are quoting and some of the extras I'm not familiar with. I am going to have them install in-wall speakers...left, right and center. Two companies are quoting Proficient Audio speakers and I can't seem to find any information about them online and the other is quoting Tru-audio speakers which are more expensive, but I'm still having trouble finding any information online about them. My feeling is that they get pretty good margin on those speakers which is why they are pushing them. Plus, I found much cheaper prices online for the speakers than they are quoting.

I definitely don't want super high end, but I don't mind paying $800 for the 3 speakers. Some of the extras like touch screen remote and remote plasma eye I would like.

I know this is a lot and I appreciate anyone who read this. I'm in a bit of a bind and would really appreciate the feedback from some true audiophile's who at some point were clueless as I am.

Thanks!!

[blackraven]

Get these Polks, I also like Boston Acoustics.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107RC85I/Polk-Audio-RC85i.html?showAll=Y&tp=192

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107MC85/Polk-Audio-MC85.html?showAll=Y&tp=192

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_12600/In-wall-Speakers.html?showAll=Y&tp=192

These Energy Veritas are supposed to be pretty good and are heavily discounted.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=51

[bfalls]

There are a few posts for the Trueaudios and many posts for the Proficient Audio speakers on ebay. Between the two, I prefer the Proficients. They appear to be better made and have better specs. Their dual woofers also increase their power handling capability.

Would I buy them over those manufactured by a speakers company like Polk, Klipsch, Monitor Audio? No, I'd do my own shopping and listening before buying.

I've just completed installation of a pair of Legacy Gallerys in my living room. I purchased them on closeout for $115/pr (MSRP $399). They sound great. One word of warning, make sure there's proper damping in the wall where these are installed. If you just mount them in an empty wall they entire wall will resonate.

We had added a new bathroom off the downstairs living room. The speakers are in a shared wall. Although the wall is internal, I had the contractor used heavier wallboard and insulate it to minimize vibration and resonance. I hadn't done this when I installed a pair in my bedroom. When music was played it could easily be heard in the hallway on the other side of the speaker. I then installed some fiberfill into the open area either side of the speaker and it sounded much better.

[AVMASTER]

if I understand this correctly then you must have the surround speakers in place right? Why not look at a on-wall LCR? Mirage, Pinnacle, and quite a few others available would make your project go a lot quicker. If it's got to be in-wall, take a listen to Speakercraft AIM series