L/C/R Sound bar reccomendations?

Triad

http://www.triadspeakers.com/products/owmlcr3.html

Can be ordered in different widths to match tv in 1/4" increments.
Can also be painted.

Triad also makes matching in-wall, in-ceiling, on-wall or bookshelf type speakers for rears. As well as in-wall or regular subwoofers.

Here is a 50" Panasonic with Triad LCR

They have the standard 3.0LCR as well as a 3.0LCR S.E. with better drivers. But to keep within your budget, I'd stick to the standard version.

And I haven't heard anything that can match it.

Leon Horizon series LCR. Matches the exact width of the panel, as well as the finish. Available is driver sizes ranging from 2" - 7".

+1 +2 +3 on the Triad.

I'm in a similar situation to that of the OP. I'm adding surround to my first floor tv room, which has a 52" LCD above the fireplace, and has one large opening to the adjoining room on the right wall perpendicular to the tv, and an irregular stairwell opening on the wall opposite the tv.

There are in-wall surround speakers already, and I've got 3 sets of speaker wires coming out of the wall behind the tv, along with an HDMI cable. I can't run (without unacceptable expense) any more wires from my components to the tv, so a powered soundbar is not an option.

I mostly watch tv (predominately sports), with the occasional blu-ray. I don't really listen to music. So, top-of-the line speakers are probably excessive for me. In addition to the soundbars noted above, I also know about the Canton CD 90 SB ($650 msrp). Does anyone know if this is a good speaker?

I'm surprised at how hard it is to find 3-channel surround bars for under $1000. Does anyone know of any others?

Given the difficulty I'm having finding a 3-channel bar appropriate for my needs, I'm also considering the Polk Surroundbar 50 and the Def Tech SSA-50 (which can be had for under $1000). I would feel a little foolish buying a 5-channel bar and only using 3 of the channels, but it's possible I could use a 5-channel bar in the future, and if a 5-channel gives good sound and is cheaper than a 3-channel, that may be the way to go for me.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on using 3 channels on a 5-channel bar instead of a 3-channel bar (and also recommendations for any other brands/models of unpowered soundbars).

Aside from the ones mentioned above:

Atlantic Technology FS4000 & FS5000
Pinnacle Speakers makes one.
Mirage Uni-theater

I wouldn't deviate from the way the Polk or the Def Tech were intended to be used.

Leon, they will make it to your exact specs.

Very nice-looking setup. Can I ask how much that Leon speaker cost? I understand Leon offers customization; I'm just looking for a ballpark figure to see if this may be appropriate for me.

I would try to listen to the Vizio. I've seen several positive feedbacks on it and afaik it's a lot cheaper. None of them can replace or imitate a 5.0 setup but they are better than the TV speaker.

Unfortunately, because of my wiring situation, a powered soundbar won't work for me.

Does anyone have experience with Dayton speakers? The Dayton BS36 at parts-express.com looks like it would fit my need. But, it is so much less expensive that the other entries in this field, and I wonder what the reason is.

Every Horizon speaker is custom built to order to match the exact width and finish of any flat panel display. In LCR configuration, they start at $1,295 MSRP. All speakers are hand built in Ann Arbor, Michigan in just 5 business days.