Here is my home theater as the wife has allowed so far:

TV: Sony 50" rear projection LCD 720p KDF E50A10
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/TXST8tj/Electronics/Home%20Electronics/tv.jpg

Receiver: Onkyo 6.1 TX-SR501
http://www.onkyousa.com/images/products/Receiver/TXSR501.jpg


DVD Player: Onkyo DV-SP404 progressive scan with 720p/1080i upconvert via HDMI
http://www.us.onkyo.com/images/products/DVD/DV_SP404B_front.jpg


HD Cable Box: Scientific Atlanta - Explorer 8300HD DVR
http://reviews.cnet.com/i/col/fe/8300HD.gif


Front/Mains: Yamaha NS-A636
http://www.yamaha.com/images/NSA636.gif


Center: Sony SS-CN115D (pos that was part of some HTIB set)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/TXST8tj/Electronics/Home%20Electronics/speaker.jpg


Surround: KLH Model 21B
http://www.klhaudio.com/spbook/21.jpg


Subwoofer: Audio Source 6.5" woofer



Wiring: Acoustic Research




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/TXST8tj/Electronics/Home%20Electronics/P5280004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/TXST8tj/Electronics/Home%20Electronics/jan23b.jpg




future plans include upgrading receiver and speakers, and moving current receiver to bedroom to power surround in there.

looks pretty good, except for the placement of the seating area... seems you're rears are not in the "ideal" locations for your seat...

Very nice.
In a room like that, open living area, it is often difficult to get good surround. I have a similar problem.

thanks. yeah the rears are not in the "ideal" locations, but it's all i have to work with in this room. it does get the job done surprisingly well though. as low budget as the sound is right now, our house is still the one everyone wants to go to to watch movies and games.

i've thought for the next round of equipment, to look into dipole surround speakers. i was thinking that might help with the weird seating arrangement.

I would say your front left and right speakers are more of a problem. They should be up at least 24 inches or as close to ear level as you can get them. You should put them on something and experiment. Make sure if you do my new bookshelves to get some stands. Nice room though, it has plenty of potential.