I'm having/helping install everything to install a 42" structured panel. I want to have about 14 in ceiling speakers installed along with the ability to control the sound from a dedicated A/V receiver & iTunes thru a iPod touch.

Can someone help me pick out the things needed for the install?

And should I install a volume knob in each room that has the in-ceiling speakers?

Basically I need some buying tips for things I'm gonna need and also some recommendations or ideas for ways to handle wiring and control. I'm actually running all of the in-ceiling speakers along with CAT6 cable to all rooms along with new RG6 coax cable. We're running some extra wire in case I ever want to switch to satellite dish, then I could easily just add a dish without any wiring.

I was thinking I would get the speakers from Monoprice, as I've read numerous posts about how well they sounded for around $75.00 per pair.

What kind of structured wiring solution were you considering? Like On-Q? I am doing a similar project right now. I am using On-Q products to do all my home network, coax RG-6, and telephone. Originally I was also going to use their multi-zone audio products, but decided I wanted a little more power to the speakers and more control over the zones. I am going with the Niles multi-zone system for the audio.

The thing is I don't know what I need/want. I have a basic idea of the way I want it to work but getting it arranged is beyond me.

Look at either the on-q, niles, or breathe audio products. I thought the breathe audio products were pretty cool with basically digital wall controls. (volume, tuner, source, etc)

But, be forwarned, not cheap to do multi-zone.

I don't think Multi zone is what I want.

I want a bunch of in-ceiling speakers but I don't need or want to be able to hear different sources in each room. Whatever is playing at the main computer is what will be playing throughout the entire house. I'm just looking for the best [affordable] way to control the volume in each room.

I'm not going to be using the above ceiling speakers for anything other than whole house music.

Look at the breathe audio systems then. It might be right up your alley and resonable. They're still multi zone multi source, but affordable. mcm electronics carries them. I'm impressed with them for as cheap as they are.