Hi everyone,
I am trying to build my first home theater and I need some opinions from you people that are more experienced than me.
I have been listening to some speakers (not many but some …) from Infinity, Energy, Polk and Klipsch. I find myself liking more dynamic speakers like Polk and Klipsch over Infinity and Energy. I auditioned the Klipsch RF-82 and the Polk RTiA7 side by side. Both are nice speakers, but I thought the RF-82 were slightly lacking of mid-range compared to the RTiA7 and even the bass was not really there which really surprised me considering the 2 x 8’’ woofers so I think that it might have been something wrong with the setup and will go back to listen again. On the other hand, I just loved the 82’s high frequencies and the dynamics and soundstage that it creates. They envelop you and make the music come to life. They are really good speakers.
Going back to my HT, I am trying to build a system under $3000 that would be good for 2ch stereo listening as well as HT. I listen to pretty much any type of music (Rap, RnB, Techno, Rock, Orchestra…) and would probably use the speakers for 60% movies / 40% music. Right now I live in an apartment but am moving to my new home in March. My room will then be 20’’x 11’’ with hardwood floor, no furniture except the couches and a coffee table.
The front towers that I like the most will determine which system I will get. Here are the 2 systems that I am considering:
1) Klipsch: 2 x RF-82, 1x RC-62, 2 x RS-52
2) Axiom: 2 x M80, 1 x VP150, 2 x QS8
For the subs, I was considering the RW-12D for Klipsch and EP350 for Axiom, however I noticed that both Klipsch and Axiom owners like to pair their system with other brand subs like HSU and SVS as they say you get more for the money. Any recommendation on a sub of $700 or less better that the 2 mentioned?
I also haven’t decided on the receiver. Any suggestions (if possible < $700)?
The M80s are 4 ohms vs 8 ohms for the 82s. Does that change anything sound wise? Does it mean that I need less power to drive them or more?
Is it fair to compare the M80s to the RF-82s or should they be more compared to the RF-63s (in terms of quality of sound, not looks)
I like much more the look of the Klipsch over the Axiom but sound has nothing to do with looks. I have read nothing but good reviews on the Axioms, that they have very good highs and lows and excellent mids. For the Klipsch, the only negatives that I read are how they sound harsh and bright, and how they lack a little bit of mids. Personally I like the way the horns sound very much (maybe because I only listened for an hour or so) so I disagree with the first comment, but I kind of agree about the mids (at least for the 82s).
Will the M80 provide the same dynamic feel and wide sound stage as the 82 do but with more detailed mids and lows?
Why do you think the M80s are better than the RF-82s? (except the fact that some people find them harsh which I don't)
The ultimate test will be for me to listen to the Axiom and eventually I will. However it will be very hard, at least for me, to compare them if they are not side by side. The 82s already sound good to me, what if the Axiom also sound good to me, how can I remember which one sounds better !?!?
Also, I only listened to the 82s in stereo, how will the center and surrounds compare?
I know that this is a Axiom forum and obviously lot of people will favor Axiom, but I am looking for honest and truthful opinions of people that possibly owned or heard both and picked one over the other and why.
Thank you very much for your help.
Bruno
