Finished a super simple install for a friend today and was wowed by the sound. His system was Monitor Audio WT280 for fronts, CWT160's for the rear. Simple 5.1 with a simple receiver. Even my wife said it sounded really good. "That sound like we were in the real theater" was her quote. It was because they have actual surround speakers.

I don't have any side or rear channels and I am getting the itch.

What would you pair with the Monitor Platinums. The ribbon is what has me vexed.

The catch is they have to be I ceilings for the most part. I can do a pair of rears but the side channels would have to be ceiling. I was kind of diggin the concept of atmos for the fun of it.

Options are limitless

Monitor IDC's
James SA 537 (I really hate large speakers in the ceiling)
Golden Ear (looks like they have some ribbon in ceilings)
Wisdom Audio P2i's
BG Radia PD in ceilings could work too

That is what I have so far. Would like to have sides and rears if possible. Room is long 22' by about 14' but it is open to the kitchen. Ceilings are 8'.

What say you?

Definitive ?

[Link: definitivetech.com]

Wants are Small, Ribbon, or family of sound.

Def tech is cool but no different than any of the others.

I still have settled on a subwoofer yet either.

Maybe,
[Link: sunfire.com]

Bose cubes (if you REALLY want to muck it up!)

Ribbons? Something like the Martin Logan vanquish?

[Link: martinlogan.com]

My LCR's at home are from the extremely underrated Martin Logan Motion series. The Vanquish probably isn't a match for the Monitor Platinums, but love the sound of their ribbon tweeters.

Honestly if I were you I would probably just roll with the IDC's. I like the BG Radias, but am turned off by the bezel.

Yeah it's tough. I really HATE large cut outs in the ceiling. I have the Platinum inwalls as fronts. I don't even have a center just Stereo.

My room is the opposite from ideal but it's all I have.

I've always been a HUGE fan of Sunfire Subs and Amps, and their Ribbon speakers were EXTREMELY impressive when I heard them...  Unfortunately, not being a huge company they don't really make a huge variety and I don't believe they make an In-Wall speaker for Rears

In the dedicated theaters I use the GXFX from Monitor. Wifey won't let that fly. I barely got approval for a Fathom on the floor.

I'd use the Monitor Audio CT 380 FX Trimless In-Ceiling Speakers since you know the wife will not approve of the GXFX.
[Link: monitoraudiousa.com]

For surround speakers, wouldn't a tweeter with more overall dispersion provide you with a better experience than ribbons since these are going in the ceiling?