yes, I mean in your face literally! ALl my equipment and speakers are out in the open for everyone to see. Nothing is hidden. My hdtv is a Vizio GV47LP for HD and a sony 36xbr400 direct view for all SD. Viewing is 9 ft away tv.
For video I have the DirectTV H20-100 and the R15-500 and a 4DTV for big dish. The H20 (video) is hooked directly to the Vizio via HDMI and the H20 (audio) is dig.optical out to a Sony E9000ES processor. My PS3 is hooked up exactly same way. Other video components are a Pioneer Elite DV-37 dvd player,PS2,Sony NS41P dvd player, Phillips CDV488 laser disc player.
Front speakers consist of a pair of oak Duntech Marguis speakers placed 15 ft. apart, powered by two Aragon 4004 amps. For the center channel I use (3) Dunlavy Audio Labs
SC-1s. One speaker sits underneath the Vizio (horizonal) and the other two are on the sides of the Vizio (vertical). These three speakers are powered by 2 Adcom 535 amps. Yes these speakers are shielded. IMO you need more than one center channel. I use two VMPS subs powered by Aragon4004 amp. All amps feed into the 9000ES. The front soundstage of all these speakers are tremendous, even at low volume. Crank them up and it will take your breathe away! For the surround speakers I also use 2 Dunlavy's SC-1's and they are powered by an Adcom 535 amp and 2 Fried Beta speakers for side surrounds with an Adcom amp. I hope to get some pics soon. Thanks

Sounds pretty nice. How do you like your Vizio set? I was looking at a 47 inch 1080P one at Costco today for $1699. (Sounds too good to be true to me..)

Hey Orphaze
thanks for writing.
I love the Vizio. You cant beat it (1080P) for the money. Bought it at Costcos (Pittsburgh,Pa.) for 1700 out the door two months ago. You should read the Vizio threads on this website. It has its faults (minor) but so does all the other TVs costing thousands of dollars more. The PQ is excellent from hi-def sources. Hope this helps you with your decision.

Hey Orphaze
thanks for writing.
I love the Vizio. You cant beat it (1080P) for the money. Bought it at Costcos (Pittsburgh,Pa.) for 1700 out the door two months ago. You should read the Vizio threads on this website. It has its faults (minor) but so does all the other TVs costing thousands of dollars more. The PQ is excellent from hi-def sources. Hope this helps you with your decision.

I don't see anything??? :)