My first thought was a HTIB setup but they all tend to come with too many speakers and too little sound quality, as well as extraneous features and a blu-ray player they don't want.
So, here are the requirements:
- Audio input to the sound system must be via HDMI from the TV - everything plugs into the TVs and so these are simply replacements for the HDTV's pathetic, tinny audio.
- Some speakers - 2.0, 2.1, 3.0 or 3.1 setup. rear satellites will be wasted (becaus HDMI audio is only two-channel).
- HDMI-CEC to control the volume, allowing the TV remote's volume rocker to control the speaker volume
- Good sound quality on a ~$500 budget per room.
Can you fine gerbils think of an HTIB solution that fits the bill, or can you recommend a cheap HDMI amp that will take audio over HDMI-CEC and drive some bookshelf speakers?