Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Question on Epic 60 Setup

Hello-

I'm looking for advice from people who have purchased the Epic 60.350 package, and how they like it so far. I am looking at upgrading my existing HT speaker setup (all Sony...no laughing) with the 60.350 package. I am also considering upgrading the 100 center channel to the 150. I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver to drive the speakers, and a Sony 61" RPTV as the video source.

Any thoughts/comments are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

I don't have that exact package (different sub, and the VP150 center instead of the VP100 that comes with the package), but the speaker configuration is great!. I like the wider sound field of the VP150 over the VP100, plus, at the time, I felt that if I got the VP100 I would always wonder what the VP150 would have sounded like and didn't want to feel the need to upgrade just to answer that question.

How big is your room? What will be the use of the speakers? Music? Movies? Both? These will all play into it.

Thanks for the reply. I realize that I left out some essential information.

The room in question is a combination family room, dining room, and kitchen. It is configured in the shape of a capital "L", with the kitchen being on the short leg of the "L", and the TV being positioned at the end of the long leg of the "L". I can post a pic, if you need it. Dimensions of the room are approximately 13' x 13' x 8'. The viewing distance from the TV to the main couch is 10'. The primary use of the speakers will be for everyday TV viewing, some movies, and some music. Let me know if you need more additional information.

What sub do you have with your setup?

I have the Epic 60-350 system, except (a) didn't buy the package, just added speakers as budget permitted, and (b) purchased a larger sub than Axiom had at the time (SVS 20-39PC+) because I am moving into a house where the HT area will be about 5 times the size of your room. Probably would have gone with an EP500 (about the same price) if it had been out at the time.

I am very happy with the system and would buy the same again (other than curiosity ). There are better speakers out there, of course, but not for the $$.

I should mention that for your current needs a smaller system would probably work well for you.. HOWEVER if you start getting serious about "the home theater thing" I think the extra cost for the Epic 60 package would be money well spent.

If you are sitting 10 feet away the VP100 would probably be OK but you are on the edge between the 100 and the 150. I'm currently 7-8 feet away and the VP100 is more than enough.

bridgman-

Thanks for the reply. I am thinking of upgrading to the VP 150, and leaving the other speakers per the package. I have some cabinet samples in the mail, and will get the Wife to look at them before we make a purchase. I am leaning towards the black cabinets, but we'll see what happens when the samples arrive.

Your HT area sounds like it is HUGE. What type of display are you running? Plasma? LCD? Projector? ...just curious...

Thanks again.

Um... I'm running a 27" cheapo CRT TV, probably 10 years old. I wasn't really planning to get into the home theater thing, just bought a pair of M2s because I wanted to replace my "big junky speakers" with something small and decent. The M2s needed a sub... so I bought a sub... then when I tried watching a DVD through the resulting system I was just blown away with the results; far better than my friends home theater systems. So... I added a center channel... then bought some M60s and moved the M2s to surround... then bought some QS8s... and I STILL have the crappy TV.

With the new house I have no more toy budget for a while ;(



The HT area is going in the loft of my almost-finished new house. The actual loft area is about 23x25 with angled 12 foot ceilings, but there is another 16 feet of open space off the end of the loft before you get to a wall. Roughly roughly, that means my sub needs to be sized for a 25x40 room. That's my story, anyways

bridgman-

HFC ! Your new pad is very nice...

The loft area is going to make for a GREAT HT area...

Thanks for the info.

Damn that is going to be bad ASS! Congrats on the new house. Maybe someday I will be able to build one to my exacting specefications. Sure does suck to be poor though!!!!!!!!

I went with an SVS 20-39PCi because the nicer (and bigger) Axiom subs were non-existant just 1 year ago.

You can see a few photos of my setup (basement is a winter project, so it is still unfinished until I get the rest of it done this winter...) if you click on this link ==> http://ht.buol.us and click on construction photos or just the picture at the top.

Here is a sample (the colors are a little off)of my M60s, VP150 and 104" Carada screen. (SVS sub is in the right edge of the photo.)

Well, I couldn't afford to build the house of my dreams, so I guess I'm building the cottage of my dreams... and moving into it cause I can't afford the house now. Actually if you saw the blueprints its more like the "one room schoolhouse of my dreams" -- but I *am* happy with the loft

EDIT - sorry about hijacking the thread. So... um... who else has an Epic 60 system and how do you like it ?

nick-

Now THAT'S what I'm screamin' about!

That screen is HUGE! I checked out your site, and it looks like it's coming along. If I set the VP150 on to of my set, it's going to make it look small...oh well...

That is a very nice setup. Great job.

bridgman-

No worries on the hijack...

If you can't brag to other HT enthusiasts, who can you brag to?

I would like to see pictures once the HT Loft is completed.

Welcome to the forum David.

I think the M60 package (with the VP150 center) in combination with the Yammie receiver will be perfect for your 1352 cb.ft. family room. So, thumbs up from me.

Mini Rock
Wow! checked out the link to your HT set up. Nice job on the room!

MiniRock-

Thanks for the welcome. Your HT setup is pretty impressive. I was checking the specs on the speakers, and it looks like the QS8 and VP150 are 6 ohm whereas the M60s are 8 ohm. I know that the RX-V2500 receiver that I have can be switched between 8 ohm and 6 ohm, but I don't think that it can do both. Am I going to have a problem connecting this speaker package to the receiver?

The 6 ohm is apparently more of a "butt covering" option (reduces maximum voltage so the receiver doesn't overheat or shut down) -- a better option is normally to leave the switch in the 8 ohm position and don't drive the system to the limits for a long time.

If the switch actually optimized the amp output for a lower impedence load (eg. a different transformer output) that would be great, but my understanding is that it just makes your amplifier a bit more feeble

Hey David... and welcome!
I have that same exact setup... the 60's, 150 and EP350 ALSO in a 13' square room and I absolutely love it. I was prepared to spend many thousands more for my "dream" speakers; thank God I stumbled across the Axiom name and got my dream speakers for an awful lot less!

Hurry up and order them, leave your receiver on "8 Ohms" and post pics afterwards!

Mark also posted a brief summary of his experiences with the Axioms. If you are on high speed do a search for "mother of all posts" in the last year.

If you are not on high speed ask us about it and we'll give you the Executive Summary

Thanks oz! I still need to paint and put in a different color carpet, but it is coming along.

David, bridgman and Mark are right. Just leave the receiver on 8 Ohms. Oh, and pics are expected.

Hey Guys-

Well, I haven't posted in a while. Bad news...the Wife got her pink slip from her work about two weeks ago. For now, I'm going to have to wait on the speakers, and focus on the more essential things (like mortgage payments, food, etc.)

Thanks for all of the advice. If my situation changes, I'll be back.

Thanks again.

Sorry to here that.That doesn't mean you can't stick around and shoot the bs with us.

I'm also sorry to hear that David, if it helps, I've been through the very same experience many times throughout my working career but somehow, some way always rebounded...you will as well! Good luck.

Also know the feeling well; we had to put our system on the "slower track" when our Daughter gave us her four kids. It may take a bit longer, but you can still have more fun in the research phase

And the research can all be done right here.......For Free

We are fountains of knowledge with varying amounts of water!

Sorry to hear that. Glad you have your priorities right though...

Best of luck !

John

I hope for the best for you guys David. The good news is, whether you get the speakers now, or in a year or two, they will still be around and will still be the best sounding bang for the buck speakers out there. Hope you stick around man.

lol, i have the same problem as bridgeman, im just about to order the qs-8's today to make an entire epic 60 system minus the sub (HSU STF-2) and i still have a cheapo 19" tv

It's not a real big problem... the only headache-inducer is deciding whether to space the mains wide apart to get that nice big movie theater soundscape (and best music performance) or put them close together BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THE *%$%^ SCREEN FROM MORE THAN FIVE FEET AWAY ;(