Entertainment Unit with Fireplace - Help???

I have a 15x18 room. Ceilings are 8ft high. On one of the walls I want to build a wall unit. The center of the unit will be a raised fireplace. TV will go on top of the fireplace.

I currently have 5.1 set up with B&W in-ceiling speakers. My wife is very pleased with the look, but the sound imaging of the speakers is very disappointing considering the price I paid for each B&W 818 (i.e. $800 per speaker).

I am considering buying B&W 805D for the front left and right and placing them on the bookshelves in the wall unit to the left and right of TV about 4 feet off the ground. Question: Will the 805Ds perform well on a book shelf?

Due to the relatively low ceiling height and the fireplace which will take up the first four feet from the ground, I will need to place the TV high off the ground. To improve the sound stage, I am considering buying the B&W HTM4 Diamond as the center. The center can be placed above or below the TV. My preference is to put the speaker above the TV (just below ceiling level). The alternative is to put the TV above the speaker, but this would put the TV at ceiling level. Question: Will placing the center at ceiling level significantly impact performance?

Thanks for your insight.

You have a terrific set-up yourself. I debated about in-wall, in-ceiling, bookshelf and floor standers. The wife pushed me to hide the goods. I see that you have in-wall. How do your in-wall speakers compare to bookshelf or floorstanders.

I am familiar with the B&W CM5, CM8, CM9 and 805D. B&W also has in-wall speakers CWM7.3 that I was also considering. Having recently listened to the 805D I had give up on the in-walls. However, if I am going to put the 805D on a bookshefl in a wall unit, I may be better off going with the in-wall. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

I plan to use the speakers 50/50 HT and music.

You noted the following in your set up: Two directional center speakers installed in ceiling. I used two to try and match the output of the two mains. I went with in-ceiling so that I could add Non-AT screen and PJ later on.

I am surprised you went in-ceiling, particularly as your ceiling is quite high relative to the TV screen. How did you hook up two in-ceilings. Did you split the center channel cables somehow? Your LR speakers look pretty beefy. Ceilings look kind of weak relatively speaking. Are they well matched? Can you explain what PJ means. Lastly, how does Altantic Technology compare with B&W?

Two more questions if you ever read them.

First, I see that you have some Arcam equipment. I read a review on the Arcam 600 that was incredible. I think it was overrated, but is still top quality. Key question I have is about reliability. Have you had any problems. For $5000 is a good value for a receiver or would you get separates. If separates, any recommendations.

Second, did you see definate improvement in speaker performance with the Dynabox product. Is this something an accountant who can barely operate a screwdriver can install?

I have tile floor with a carpet covering most of the floor. In regards to the power I am using an Onkyo TX-SR805. I40 watts x 7, but liklely only at two channels. I paid about $650 so it was really a stop gap solution at the time. I read many a review on the Arcam 600 and it seemed to get very high marks except for reliability.

I would really like to get the 805D and put them on stands. This is not going to happen for two reasons. First, my kinds will likely damage the speakers by poking the diamond tweater or by knocking them over. Second, the wife does not like the clutter.

In the next year or so we are planning to put in a fireplace and bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. TV will go on top. I can use bookshelves with 805D, in-walls or I can use floorstanders that could be hidden in shelving and covered with fabric that will be built to house the fireplace and wall unit. To keep costs down I could use CM8 or CM.

The 805D sing and the sound stage at the stereo shop is magnificent. $5000 does not come easily. Also, to power them adequately, I will likely need to upgrade the amp. I could keep the Onkyo and get a two channel solution or I could replace the Onkyo with either the Arcam 600 or equivaltent or go the route of separates. To keep costs down something like Rotel. I like the Mcintosh sound, but the cost is up there.

Lots of decisions. No clear solution.