A few months ago I placed a Samsung LNT5265F on the wall, and now I want to add 5.1 to it. Problem is limited horizontal wall space on either side of the TV. I've attached a picture to illustrate (don't worry, I plan to hide the wires. :o). I've been doing some research and came across a thread that said "always start with the Dolby Labs suggested room layouts." So I checked that out, and it suggested a listening angle of 22-30 degrees for the front speakers. Unless HS geometry and SOHCAHTOA have failed me, the best I can hope for (using the wall) here is 15.5 degrees.

I guess my question is, what are my options? Or, is 15.5 degrees really going to be a problem? I understand it's probably not *ideal*, but is it a waste if that's all I can do? I've been browsing through pictures of other HT setups and have seen some where the front speakers are much closer to the TV.

(And no, the TV is not crooked - it just looks that way in the picture. :))

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd240/rrarey/TV.jpg

There's an open area on either side (left has a dinner table, right is the stairway to go upstairs.) My initial thought was to either do in-wall speakers on the parts of the wall facing the same direction as the TV, or do wall-mounted speakers that attached to the parts of the wall perpendicular to the screen but angle the speakers. Speakers mounted from the ceiling are not out of the question, but I think I'd like to try to keep them inline with the middle of the screen, so that is kind of a last choice option.

You should be able to find a LCR combo that is thin and will work for you space easily enough. Yamaha is one that springs to mind but there are many others out there that will work as well for your situation.
Best of luck
Calvin

Several companies make a surround bar speaker. Here is a link to the Denon model http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4131.asp Maybe this would be an option???

Sound bar, Small 2-3" speakers set up, Wireless speakers for the back, go nuts and get a good 2.1 system.

UPDATE:

After much research and in-store listening, I have decided to purchase the following:
1) Onkyo 705 (http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR705&class=Receiver&p=i) receiver
2) Mirage Nanosat Prestige 5 (http://www.miragespeakers.com/v2/product_page.php?open=lines&subid=640&id=909) speakers (4 of their typical Nanosat Prestige speakers + their Nano CC)
3) SVS PB10-NSD (http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm) sub

I've heard nothing but great things about #1 and #3... Nanos seem to be love 'em or hate 'em, but I'm part of the former.

The Polk Surround Bar sounds good if mated with a decent Sub. Not the greatest for enveloping surround.

The Yamaha product can be quite incredible, but the room has to be just right to get the reflections right.