My parents are looking at getting a 5.1 speaker setup for their new place. I originally had them looking at the QS surrounds, but there is only one wall to side mount on. The side for the other rear is open to another room. There is the ceiling bracket as an option, but my mom doesn't want that hanging from the ceiling.

They are currently thinking of getting in ceiling speakers to use as surrounds. I told them I don't think they'll get good surround from speakers in the ceiling, and would probably be better off with small HTIB size sattelites for the rears if it came to that.

Keep in mind they aren't like most of us on here as far as good quality sound goes. Certainly nowhere near audiophiles.

With that being said, I wanted to get other people's thoughts.

Either A) In ceilings, B) small surround satelites, or C) some other option.

I also want to get to a speaker store with them, so they can do some listening with some of their music. If they listen to good speakers and not so good ones and can't tell a difference, it might be that a HTIB works best for them, although it pains me to guide them in that direction.

At least your parents are looking and you get the chance to help, my dad went out and bought a Bose 3-2-1 system without any consultation with me. I am now saving up to surprise him with a full Axiom set up when we finally finish the room addition at their place.

Any thoughts as to how the in ceilings will be wired, not alot of fun. The Q's could be stand mounted to avoid the wiring hassle.

At the very least I would sell them on the front 3 being Axiom and then go from there.

How far do they sit from the rear wall? If it's not very far they can spread the side surrounds out toward the edges of the room and mount them on the back wall.

Sounds like your Mom is more concerned about looks than sound. That's fair. Everybody has their own priorities. However, one could use this 'home pride' to argue against in ceiling speakers. As I have mentioned before. I find even the nicest ceiling speakers to be extremely industrial looking. Politely imply that her her house will look like a shopping mall or hospital.
Just my opinion of course.

If ceiling mount is out, test out the idea of QS speakers on stands. There is always the 30 day return period if she doesn't like them anywhere. They may be much bigger but with the right finish, they might look better than little tiny silver cubes. Depends on the decor already in the room.

Just a couple of ideas but in the end, they are the customer and they are always right.

Jason, ditto David's(terzhagi)suggestion if they're not sitting too far from the back wall: mount the QSs on the back wall and separated widely almost to the side wall locations.

The couch is against the back wall, so the sit on it pretty much. As far as the in ceiling wiring goes, they bought the place as new construction back in August, and had wires run for two rear speakers (at my suggestion). One of the two wasn't installed over far enough IMHO, but I think they can make them work.