Home Theatre re urb

Hi Brad, welcome to the forum.

Well, there is a lot of stuff going on here. First, I am a little uncertain as to what your actual goal is for this project and maybe that's because you are a little uncertain too. 

If you just want to get it working, all you need is the receiver and a center channel. You choice of the Onkyo 708 is a good one. For the center channel, the goal is to match the sound of the surrounding speakers. In this case, Bose makes a center channel...

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-VCS-10-Center-Channel-component/dp/B00005T3NH

However, when you asked if the Bose ceiling speakers would work and if the AudioSource subwoofer was sufficient, I am detecting that you may wonder if you should rethink and rebuild your system. I say, if you are happy with your system... keep it. But I also say that you can do much more justice to your 56” TV with a better system and you probably owe it to yourself to do so!

Everyone here is going to tell you that ceiling mounted speakers, while great for esthetics, are the least desirable location for good sound. If you and/or your significant other can tolerate the sight of speakers in your room, you can no doubt obtain much better sound that will dramatically impact your TV viewing.

If you want to design a new system, tell us a little more, primarily, the size of your room and the size of your budget. Then you will see recommendations start to flow in.

I don't think anyone will try to talk you out of the Onkyo but we will see...

Nick 

I would only try to talk you out of the Onkyo if you are spending your whole budget on it and expecting your speakers to sound better. A lesser receiver and better speakers will make a much bigger difference.

Everything works.. so to speak although it may not be optimal.  Most of the time it is better to buy the main fronts and the center at the same time.  Lots depend on what your budget is over time.  The 708 would work just fine as well as other avr's.   But I kind of agree with the above post that speakers should take up the bulk of the cost of your system and it would be a good idea to have a longer term budget and plan before you decide on the avr.

Please further define 'whole' system.  Are you only including the audio part and not the TV or source such as BD player?  One kind of solution alternative that was recommended yesterday in another thread is the  Onkyo HT-S9300THX system which includes a complete 7.1 audio system.  It will cost you less that $800 and simplifies the buying decision.  I have no direct experience with it other than Onkyo is a good brand and the avr includes  Audyssey MuliEQ which helps greatly in maximizing the sound by equalizing the sound to your specific room and speaker placements.  However if you go for separates I would stick with at most a 5.1 system or less and expand it later as your budget permits.

Well, Brad, how about something like an Onkyo 608 or 708 and some Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800's?  However, I think that we should wait for Gene C's stamp of approval on this.  I stole the idea from him.

I have always been a fan of Def Tech and Gene mentioned the Pro Cinema's in another thread, so I checked them out on CNET and Amazon.... they got impressive reviews.  It seems that they play music and home theater equally well, and do so with some authority.

CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/definitive-technology-procinema-800/4505-7868_7-32944956.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Technology-Pro-Cinema-800/dp/B001JQZXCO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1297151836&sr=8-7 

It is rarely mentioned on this forum but be sure to use good wire to hook up your speakers.  One of my favorites is Monster XP Navajo White.  Now I know that many people disparage Monster cable but I like this stuff for several reasons: one, it is white and matches my baseboards, two, it is flexible and hangs straight down from the speaker terminals, three, it is reasonably priced and four, it is made in the USA.  It is paintable too, if you need that.  If you buy 100' spool, the price is less than 50 cents/foot.

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-XP-Navajo-White-Compact/dp/B000WX5FCI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1297153007&sr=8-3 

Nick

Are you stuck on satellites, or are small bookshelf speakers a possibility? 

I might consider something like this:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR608/Onkyo/TX-SR608-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html  $319

And then 3 pairs of these:

This center:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ60CBLA/KEF/Iq60c-5-1/4-Center-Channel-3-way-Speaker-Black/1.html     $299

Three pairs of these for surrounds and main:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ10BLA/KEF/Iq10-5-1/4-Bookshelf-Speakers-2-way-black-pair/1.html   $690

Perhaps this sub:

  http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Sub-12HG-Synergy-12-Inch-Subwoofer/dp/B003VIWK0G/ref=sr_1_8?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1297278905&sr=1-8  $299

I know this takes you a little over $1600, but this is going to blow away any HTIB.  And you get a 12 inch sub this way, and a much better center channel, both of which are the most important speakers in a home theater.  If the $1,600 is a problem, you could probably look a bit more, save yourself a bit somewhere.  But this would be a great setup.