Setting up my first surround System + a 2nd zone on back porch

Hello budget audiophiles! My wife and I moved into our new home about a year ago and I am finally getting around to setting up a decent 5.1 sound system. I recently had an audio guy come by to to give us a quote on setting up our ideal system and was quoted over $6,000! That is about $4000 more than I had in mind so I am coming to you all for advice. I plan on paying a professional to help with running wire through the drywall but am looking to save on the equipment. Below is a breakdown of my situation.

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Budget: Looking to spend about $1500-2000 on equipment (or less if possible). This will include a receiver. 2 Bookshelf speakers, 1 Center channel, 1 sub and two rear speakers preferably in wall (my wifes preference). Then two outdoor speakers.

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  • In which country are you located

In the USA.

  • Where can you buy from (ie which Amazon if any)

Amazon, crutchfield etc. No limitations aside from not being located near a Fry's

  • What you want to use it for (music, movies, games, all of the above, etc)

We will mainly be using system for TV/Movies but occasionally we will play music while cooking or hanging out. The outdoor speakers will be almost exclusively for music.

  • How big of a space and how loud

The living room feeds directly into the kitchen. These two rooms combined are 28x20 with 12 ft ceilings which drop to 10 ft where the kitchen begins. The two recliners which we do most of our tv/movie viewing from are about 13 ft back from the TV.

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There is not a good spot for a floor speaker so I am pretty set on Bookshelf speakers for the L&R. They would have to fit within the built-in bookshelves alcoves which are 18h x 30w. The center channel is an area of concern for me because the TV is mounted on a stone fireplace and currently has a thin 3.5 inch high soundbar. Most centers I have seen are at least 7 inches high so I will either have to raise the TV even higher or somehow mount the center underneath the Mantle and run wire up to the

Here is an album of the living room/Kitchen as well as the back porch

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https://imgur.com/a/S9N8m4o

As for sound preference I really don't know. We don't require a lot of bass so I was thinking one 12 inch woofer would do the job. We are by no means "Audiophiles" so I think most speakers will be fine with us. My main concern is having the speakers "reach" us in the kitchen.

after 1 week of reading this subreddit here is what I am leaning towards:

AVR: Denon X1400H. https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1400h/denon-avr-x1400h-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

L&R and Center : ELAC debut 6.2s along with the Center C6.2 ( but this thing is so tall Im not sure how I will fit it under out TV).

Woofer: https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

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Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Posted Mar 22, 2019, 3:00 PM UTC · edited

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