Where To Buy Okaply Ceiling Panels?

What's the best in-ceiling 5.1 home theater system I can buy installed under $1,000?

• My new condo is pre wired for 5.1 surround sound. I'm hoping to buy in-ceiling speakers, in-ceiling center speaker, a subwoofer and receiver. My living room is fairly small (about 18 ft. by 16 ft.). I want something that sounds good but is fairly inexpensive (under $1k) including installation. I assume installation would cost less for me because I'm already pre-wired for the system. What brand of system should I look to get and where should I look to buy it. I live in Sacramento, CA. if that helps.

• Answer:

  In ceiling/in wall speakers are the worst way to go. The wall or ceiling takes the place of the wooden box as the speaker enclosure. The problem is that wall and ceiling cavities are not uniform and you'll end with each speaker sounding different. The center speaker (voice/dialog) should be as close to the TV, either over or under, not up in the ceiling for a realistic sound. Imagine you're talking to someone and their voice comes from the ceiling. Wouldn't that bit a bit weird? Half of your budget would go to the install IF I was to do it for you (assuming the pre-wiring is done correctly. I've had to redo the wiring in pre-wired houses so many times it is not even funny.) I say if because I do not install cheap systems and I do not install in ceilings or walls. There is no way to make that stuff sound good and it would be like making sure I end up with an unhappy customer. I used to ask for $1,000 when somebody called me to put in one of those until someone actually agreed to my price. Now I just say NO. Double your budget ($2,000) and you can get yourself a decent set of speakers if you go to your local "high end" store. And if the place is pre-wired correctly, you can do the install yourself.