In my den the only place for a TV is over the fireplace ... This, as most of you know, is a less than ideal place for both picture and audio since both will be about 4' too high. To boot since I'm installing in-walls for aesthetic reasons... the sound will be firing 4' over your head since you can't aim them.

My current solution is to install a mantle mount (a device which allows you to lower the tv down in front of the fireplace) and mount the in-walls on either side of the fireplace (below the height off the mantle ... have to see what that looks like and how hard it will be to put them there as I planned the in-wall cavity above the mantle).

Last option is a sound bar. It can be mounted below the TV and move down with it on the mantle mount. Problem is that I have no idea what I'm compromising as I've never heard one and I'm a bit skeptical about the idea.

So, I throw it out to you ... what are your thoughts ...

Why do you need a TV in the den? Since you have a fireplace, you don't have to watch the fireplace channel as Craig and his missus do.

Rich - Have you considered the Open Bar with sub?

Mojo - We have a fireplace. We also have a pool and a pond. The pond would be good for you.

I remember Craig, last year, when you posted that the missus and you were watching the fireplace channel with the LFRs. I had a bunch of buddies over when I read that and we howled our aging but nonetheless still functioning scrotums off.

No open bar, Rich. Put a pair of real speakers in. Be a man; not a pussy!

That is an option but not my first since I’m a bit skeptical about it ... I need more info/feedback before spending time and money to try it out.

Also toyed with the idea of getting a M3 in cabinet / M3 hybrid to put in the book cases on either side of the fireplace. Thought maybe if that speaker sat slightly proud of the bookcase it might sound ok.

In any case this room is less then ideal as there a glass slider on one side, it opens to the kitchen on the other and has a big window behind you ... so perhaps that sound bar would be fine considering.

M3s would be very relaxing for a den. Maybe even M2s with a sub. When I get my M2s, I'll let you know what I think between those two. I'll have on-walls and bookshelf to compare.

I have listen to most of the M3’s ... the on-walll is amazingly similar to an M3 ... at least at low to mid volume ... the in-wall and in-ceiling I’ve only heard uninstalled so I’ll have to hold off on my opinion. The The M22 is very good but needs a sub as it lacks low end. I’m guessing the M2 will be similar but bet that the lower mids will not keep up at the higher volumes ... I await your report ...

Decided to hold off. The fire place wall looks awesome just as it is and a TV with in-walls would only detract from it. We have other places to watch TV, Problem solved.

Perfect! No point in putting a TV in there to watch the fireplace channel when you have the real thing.