Our home is being pre-wired for a 5.1 system. Should I consider a center speaker in the ceiling or one that sits on top of a TV? Is there a better option (than putting a center speaker in the wall)? My concern is that the sound from the center speaker if placed in the ceiling will be directed downward and not sound right.

For asethetic reasons my family is deciding to install speakers (perhaps DSi465 Boston speakers) in the ceiling instead of in-wall speakers. In-wall speakers limit the use of wall space. We also are trying to minimize sound equipment accessible to children. We are looking for quality at a moderate price (around 4-5K). (Would a Velodyne subwoofer be a good choice? What type of receiver would you recommend?)

The home theater will be placed in a 19' x 19'-10" room. The back wall is 'open' to the Kitchen. TV source (haven't settled on a TV) will be in the center along the far wall. The center speaker is currently located in the ceiling above the proposed TV source. I tried to illustrate below:
sp: means in-ceiling speaker
-------------------------------[3 windows here ]------
[window]
l
l (sp 4.5' to 5.5' from TV source)--------------12' sp from wall
l
l ----------------------------------couch 10' from wall
TV source (center speaker above TV in ceiling)
l
l
l (sp 4.5-5.5' from TV source)------------------12' sp from wall
l
[window]
----------------------------------------------------------

Any recommendations are welocme.

jd

Although a ceiling-mounted center channel doesn't sound like a great idea, having left/right in the ceiling and center on the TV might actually be worse in terms of how the sounds will blend.

Well, do the same thing across the front. If you have to do ceiling, make all 3 ceiling. Like Daniel said, your imaging will be impossible if you split them up with some above and the center on the TV. Perhaps if there are ceiling speakers that can be angled a bit towards the couch, it would help. If you simply put down-firing speakers in the ceiling above the TV, the sound will not easily get to you. I don't know much about ceiling installs, though.

If you want good subwoofer performance for modest price, check out SV subs. Their new sub is just starting to ship and is on sale for $400. It will beat most subs costing up to $2000 from other companies. svsubwoofers.com

Have a look at speakercraft's aim in-ceiling speakers. These can be "aimed" towards the listening area.
I have used these in situations where it have been impossible to get three equivalent lcr .
These will also increase the real estate in your room(great w.a.f)
Regards
Bri

Triad makes some remarkable in ceiling speakers that are angled at a 45 degree angle. If you position the LR and the centre in this way it sounds very good. How do I know? I have done it with surprising results.

Ditto on the triads. Fantastic sound and we would use more but pricing is fairly steep in this part of the world.
Bri

Thanks to all for your advice. It seems important to have the right sound from the LCR. I'll check out Triad and avoid the option of a center speaker on the wall.

What to shop for next?
:)

jd's

If you were already looking at the Bostons, why not try the DSi495 in-ceiling speakers across the front, and 465s for the rears. The 495s are meant to do exactly what you are trying to do here.

Matt

check these out! [Link: kef.com] these are very high quality and provide superb imaging when you must go with in ceiling.... i have used these and the speakercraft aims. the speakercraft are very good but the kefs are excelent