Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Rear surrounds (QS4, M3 or M2)

I am currently using a pair of QS4 as my surround speakers in a 5.1 configuration. I am thinking of adding two speakers to my back wall (only a couple feet behind the seating position) for a 7.1 configuration.

The option I am considering is purchasing a pair of QS8s to replace my QS4s as my main surround speakers, allowing me to use my QS4s as my rear surrounds.

Or, I could purchase a pair of M3s or M2s to use as rear surrounds.

Any opinions on what is the best approach for rear surrounds? With wall mounts included, the cost difference between the QS8s and M3s (or M2s) isn't that great. Thus, I don't feel cost is an issue in this case.

The M22s I own are currently (and will continue to be) used as surrounds for multi-channel audio. My receiver switches between the QS4s or M22s depending on the input (movies vs music). Since I will continue to use the M22s this way, the M22s cannot be used as rear surrounds in a 7.1 configuration.

Thanks for your input.

I read about a neat trick here a while ago, maybe it will help :

- disconnect the M22s; stop using the capability to have your receiver automatically switch M22 vs. QS4 as surrounds

- wire up the QS4s as surrounds (side) and M22s as rears aka rear surrounds, giving you a 7.1 system without spending any extra $$

- when connecting the 5.1 RCAs from your player to your receiver, connect the surround RCAs to the rear inputs on the receiver, not the surrounds

Now you have a 7.1 system with QS4s at the side and M22s at the rear. When you play 5.1 audio, the surround channels automatically get fed to the M22s.

NOW start thinking about what you want to upgrade.

Notwithstanding all of the above, since your rears are only going to be a couple of feet behind you I would think about putting the QS4s back there rather than M2/M3s.

I shouldn't post when I'm tired

David, typically I'd suggest M2s for back surrounds to give some more direct sound since the QS4s already provide enough dispersion. However in your case you can use the 3805's feature which allows the choice of your M22s for side surrounds when you want more direct sound(e.g. DVD-A/SACD music). I'd therefore lean toward QSs even for back surrounds in your case to give very broad dispersion using DPLIIx on movies or two channel ambience material.

It appears that you can experiment with both options. Temporarily disconnect the M22s and run back surround wires for a trial(possibly with the M22s on the floor firing at the ceiling)using them in back and then return the M22s to the side and try the QS4s in back.

>>and then return the M22s to the side and try the QS4s in back.

I'm guessing the M22s may already be at the back; at least I think that's the recommended placement for surrounds in a music system.

Could well be, John, but more specifically I meant return them to side surround duty while the QS4s are being used in back. Also, even if the M22s are now somewhere in back, it would be interesting to still move them to fire at the ceiling(because of the very small space in back).

Ah yes. Bouncing the sound of the ceiling is an interesting idea, might really help with the confined space behind the listening position.

Interesting ideas. As guessed, the M22s are currently behind the listening position...located in the rear corners firing toward the center of the room.

At one point, I was using the M22s on stands behind the listening position. To be honest, I didn't notice much benefit in having rear speakers. However, at that time, I was using a processor that didn't have PLIIx. Now that my receiver has PLIIx, I have begun to wonder if an upgrade is worthwhile.