ajrsiu

All valid points, thank you. I think I will do the surrounds in the ceiling. We'll look at options for the front and center. My wife does nothing more than watch boring reality shows so she's not concerned w/ the sound nor the look as long as it's not too imposing. I'm more interested in the theater presence and high quality music.

Thanks, Bill. Unfortunately, side walls are not an option. I have an 18' sliding glass door on one side and the wall on the other side is about 20' away. Speakers in the wall behind the t.v. are not an option as it is a faux stone wall. So they will need to be on stands next to the entertainment center below the t.v. or well off to the sides at least 6' on either side of the t.v. to get to bare wall where there is no stone. I uploaded a photo that shows my scenario.

I am having a house built and the builder's automation/video/sound guy recommends placing 5 speakers in the ceiling in the grand room. Three above the t.v. (front left, center and right) and two behind the viewer. The room is 21'x28' with tile floors, 12' ceilings and is wide open to the kitchen and dining areas. Very hollow area. They install Klipsch 6" speakers in the ceiling. I can certainly use stand mounted or wall mounted speakers for the front by the t.v. but I have no way to run wires or power to the rear surround speakers and no place really to hang them w/ 12' ceilings. Personally, I do not think having the speakers up above directing sound down towards the tile floor is the best option, especially for the high frequencies. It's convenient and out of the way, not to mention they look nice, but maybe it works as they are doing this in all the new homes. Any thought/ideas?