Dearest Wid,
As I sit here this afternoon, I am listening to Jimi's sweet guitars mellow joy over my ears. As sung by my beloved axioms.
So I just came back and visited the Axiom Forums as a way to invigorate my boyish nostalgia of the great times I have had with these guys. Then I read your thread.
Funny, I have the exact same set up as the one you originally proposed. M22's, VP100, QS4's, STF-2 and all. The receiver is different, but it's just all just a black box anyways.
The HSU STF-2. Ahh. This thing has served me well. Loud, proud, just awesome. Everyone thinks it's some weird mini fridge at first. It acts as an under the desk footspace hog but also a nifty munchies desk and footrest. Doesn't work too well if food is already ON the "desk" when you use it as a footrest. Had that happen a few times. One day when moving I popped in the dust cap. Sad day. The dust cap un-popping surgery was successful, however.
The QS4's are a pretty good choice. For me, I could throw one in my backpack when moving into my dorm. They could be dropped once or twice (after being improperly held as a football) and still work well. They can donate organs (such as tweeters) to other speakers and still spray wonderful surround all over your room. But, I don't sense those things as being relevant here. In my heads-up comparison with my dad's QS8's and the QS4's, it's pretty obvious. QS8's are just WAY clearer. A shame, but the truth. However, the QS4's look like the most bitchin' pieces of sound equipment ever when the grills are taken off. They just look MEAN. So for that reason, I wouldn't stray from that choice. Get the QS4's.
The VP100. This thing is clear as day. It makes sense, because it is a M22, just sideways and a little confused. No brainer here. There are little circles of gook where the tiny silicone feet used to be on the bottom. That's my only complaint.
The M22's are a fabulous choice. I also made the choice of affixing the large QS wall bumpers to the bottom of the M22's. Lovely lady in axiom support sent them to me for free. These speakers are loud, clear, and pelt out tunes like it's nobody's business. In my regret, I tried to consider other floorstanders and bookshelves, but in the apple of my eye, the M22's were there. Man, we've been through a lot.
The whole darn system has been through a lot. Into dorm rooms and out (x4), into apartements and my home and now in Florida. Needless to say the cardboard Axiom speaker boxes are held together by duct tape.
They've hosted beer pizza parties, failed second dates, mental trips to the end of the universe and back, late night jam outs, Boondock Saints drinking nights, nights where the housing director calls and asks if you felt the apartment rumbling last night (wasn't me!?!), and pretty much my whole life. Wow.
The bolts holding the woofers and tweeters are starting to rust. I can't take on or off the grills without the rubber grommets coming out of the speaker housing in an odd, gooey clump. There's a finger nail indent on one of the woofers when I got too curious. One of my M22 tweeters fizzled and died (donated from QS4 then free replacement from axiom
). Once, I dropped my entire metal loft on top of my left M22 freshman year. Has a pretty ugly gash on the top of it. What a story these friends tell.
Soon they may take a permanent trip with me out West. I've got duct tape in hand.
Point is that my Axiom setup has been there in my life and in my memories. Who'd want to pass up on that?
But I hear you're reconsidering?!
I was going to say a little speech starting with, "So wid, don't just do it for me. Do it for you. And...". Somewhere I'd incorporate "Axiom Spirit".
But really, the Axiom Spirit is about helping each other in a weird sort of family, all about...speakers. Odd. I guess that's why I popped in to say hello.
It really doesn't matter what the brand is, it's the music, movies, and people you enjoy with them.
If a brand switch is needed, I've personally heard from one person that they are happy with their Ascends. They are a great value!
You could always drop the VP100 and do a 4 channel Axiom system (everyone would pretend to be happier with your decision then).
Hope you can put a system together that will create some memories, much like I've had.
Goodbye and Goodnight. Hope everyone is doing well.
- Dan
