I have an option later to 7.1 using the ESS PS-820's that I currently use for computer speakers ;)
Bass is an Orion 4th order box I got from FRY's 10 years ago for $20 as it was banged up w/ no speakers. Installed 2x10" 8 ohm MTX road thunder got for $20 ea when I worked at ORVAC 17 years ago lol
The Bass amp is a PINNACLE PIN AMP 800... I love this thing so much
I got PDU in the form of PANAMAX M4400-PM
My receiver is a Sherwood RVD-9090R
DVD's are served up from one of PIONEER DV220KV or SONY DVP-NS55P
My Home Theater Computer (HTPC) is simply an Asus Pundit I got for $60... its totally great.
I still have never bought a TV in my life. The one you see is borrowed for the past week after I got all this stuff going on. In the past 12 years I have had TV for 3 or 4 of those years from other people (roommates).
Other stuff not bought OEM are: Those ESS speakers my buddy bought new in 80's and they were thrashed, each regular driver AND passive radiator were blown, one of the x-overs had heated up and melted batting all around it and the cabnits were beaten, with cigarette burns, etc. Ricky of ESS recently brought the company back to life with the blessing and co-operation of the orignal owner who is still alive. I had Ricky fix each speaker. It took 2 years but finally.
The receiver was bought by a friend new and his drunken friend threw her high-heel into its front panel the first week he had it... breaking circuity on a board. It sat and collected dust, he gave it to me and I jupmed the broken traces with tiny insulated wires in the tightest soldering job ive done (on regular components).
The OWI were a 2 year quest... they make them all in China now... when I woked at ORVAC I got small 2 way white Japan/USA OWI's but recently I got two sets of these larger 3 way black units - the LAST OLD STOCK OF THE JAPAN MADE UNITS .... really. These are great units; magic mountain and knotts berry farm use... on their outdoor monitor/speaker units, etc.
The center channel my neighbor just randomaly gave to me 2 weeks ago! I was going to build a ESS/Heil center channel but this is easier (accecpting a gift and plugging it in is easier then designing and building something new lol)
What do you think? What is my current limiting factor (besides not owning my own TV). I am looking at the 51" plasma Samsungs... My little access door behind the TV has just worked out super. I love it - just used it to wire/hide FM antenna.
What about my surround speaker situation? You can see in the last 3 pictures, the surround speaker options I have. I would like to install the Distinctive's in the rear corners like 5' up... I could eventually use the small ESS for the surround speakers that go about 90^ off your ear... those heil mylar tweeters sure are sweet and clear but they seem to have a very small angle of best effect... Thanks for your opinions. This is my first media build, my first getting together of elements I have had for years in the way I wanted. I first saw that TV arm at CES, Vegas 4 years ago and have wanted it ever since... it was like $600 but I got for $180 after waiting all that time lol.