Long time lurker looking for HT opinions

I'm setting up a media room based on exactly the same principle as mentioned by the poster above. I started out buying all matching speakers (KEF R-series) but later decided I wanted to upgrade my main L&R to Dutch & Dutch 8c's. They don't make a center channel and buying one to use as such is impractical (and maybe not possible anyway). So I'll definitely be testing the school of thought that matching brands is not super important with even the center being another brand. I'll be using a Lyngdorf pre/pro with their proprietary room correction called Room Perfect. Total of 15 speakers plus subs.

I should note that my priority with the room is music (2-channel and possibly multi-channel) so the center will only be used when in theater mode. If it's too noticeable I can try using a phantom center. My seating is just one enormous sofa so I'm not too worried about different seats having a problem with dialogue.

The D&D's are uniquely equipped to handle what would normally be the acoustic issue of having a 100" flat screen tv between them (they're highly directional). They also have their own room correction that'll come in handy when listening to just them.

I'm still in room prep mode so I'm anxious to get everything going.

we are a custom installer/home theater specialists.

a few points one focals are not laid back and you need a matching center channel

if you want a warmer loudspeaker that is an excellent in wall look at the dali line

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

Focal and Dali dealers

For Home HT , you want fast clear  speakers  : Focal , Monitor Audio .

@maxwave "For Home HT , you want fast clear  speakers  : Focal , Monitor Audio ."

Totally agree. I have MA's in my main system and JBL in-wall for my HT. 

With more and more music and movies being done/redone in Dolby Atmos having a timbre-matched set of speakers is more important than ever. At the very minimum all from the same vendor as they will likely share the 'house sound'. 

@shooter41 As impressive as the D&D 8Cs are, integrating them into a HT appears to be quite a challenge as you will have 'dueling technologies' both acoustically and electronically between the D&Ds and the other speakers in the system and between the Lyngdorf HT processing and the onboard D&D processing.

I would consider doing the HT as a separate set of speakers entirely from your 2-Ch setup and using a high-quality in-wall solution for your HT needs. That way the visual intrusion in your room is minimized, and your 2-Ch listening and the D&Ds are unfettered by the competing interests of the HT requirements. 

@panzrwagn The plan is to set the D&D's up alone first, then when they're dialed in I'll set up the rest of the system with the Lyngdorf.

I get what you're saying about an alternate plan but using on-walls (it's an exterior wall so I don't want to compromise the thermal or acoustic resistance of removing insulation to install in-walls) would be problematic as getting some that are comparable to the R-series KEFS in the rest of the system would be too costly considering that I'm already stretching the budget to get the D&D's.

I could repurpose the speakers that were going to be the front wides as main L&R speakers for HT, but that would mean a pretty crowded front end of the room.

If the dueling technologies do compete I'm not that worried about it unless it turns out to be a complete disaster. It would only happen during theater use, not music since I do plan to listen to the D&D's alone the majority of the time. I'm going to give it a shot as planned and and will adjust accordingly if needed.