Actually the article states that he didn't have a budget and spent as he went along.
Also brought in a Pro to help with wall dressings and I'm surprised that the Pro didn't steer him towards something that would be more enveloping. I have no experience at all with this but I would think a lot of sound absorbtion material in a large room would take an effect on small speakers.

Too bad he didn't stop in here. I'm sure you guys could have talked him into an Epic 80-800x2 system. Or at least .....................