The receiver is an old Pioneer VSX-D810S with 6.1 and (2) component inputs. The speakers are all custom made using Audio Concepts crossovers and drivers. The subwoofer is a powered Yamaha with dual 6"'s (good enough for this room) and is located behind the couch
I also utilized a second center channel above the screen as I was never happy with the center info being so low. Is it acoustically wrong? Yes. Do I like the end result and centers the sound to the screen? Yes.
The nice thing about the room is that the total cost all of the components (including sofa and curtains) comes to way under $3000, so it's money well spent.
As to why frame the plaques- I work at a picture framing gallery and I never liked the look of the plaques mounted on the wall as-is. Adding a frame around it gave it more finished look to it.
Victor