Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater n00bie Layout Check/Recommendations

I am moving into a new Town home in the first week of April. And would like to build a decent home theater for my living room. I have a week to get all the wiring done before sheetrock goes up so I thought I would run my layout/components past the pro's first.

First the specs:
The room is open and shared with the kitchen, but the rough dimensions of just the "living room" are 14'W X 10'L X 9'H. I have a budget of 7,000 for EVERY component (besides cables) and so far I have chosen these components:

TV: 50" Sony KDS-R50XBR1
AV/Receiver: DENON AVR-4306
DVD: DENON DVD-2910
FRONTS: Axiom M60ti
CENTER: Axiom VP150
REARS: Axiom QS8
SUB: Not Sure Yet. (Axiom EP500, PB12–Plus/2, PB12–ISD/2, PB12–ISD)

And here is the planned layout of the room:
http://storage.msn.com/x1pnp_rgmi5o52cz8sSUgGPm7k7FDqeCRfAy_HoCp4l6smHNf4UMq9yOY7bKUqZcROwIFlOCxN1wlLvUhGhj-bDMdPKPxP8CupcMxr1HvGsjW-XD40C9dyQjAW8OKFSBAUH60cPmGB5LoY
(sorry not sure how to add an image)

Now the Questions:

1. I have never heard Axioms, but from what I have read they seem like great speakers for the price. I could not find any reviews on the M60's on this website, how are they?
2. Could I get away with M22ti's for my fronts for this room size?
3. With 9' Ceilings would it bad to mount the QS8's on the ceiling?
4. The center channel has to be mounted on the wall above/behind the TV (not flush with the screen or the other fronts). Will this be problem?
5. I cant think of a better place for the sub, will this placement be ok?
6. Right now I am a bit over budget, and one of the only places I can see cutting some cost would be on the sub. If I get the SVS PB12-ISD I could get allot closer to my budget. But I don’t want to compromise the WOW factor. Will this size sub be adequate. Also I should consider the fact that the far wall (on the bottom of the picture) is shared with a neighbor, and I don’t want to create enemies if I can help it?
7. Does anyone see any better way to lay the room out? I am sure not everything is to scale but you get the general idea. Also any feedback on the components would be greatly appreciated!


Sorry for all the qustions, I am just getting into this and want to make sure I dont screw anything up!
Thanks for any feedback.
Adam

Planned Layout Link

1. They are excellent, quality speakers and a remarkable value.

2. Yes, but keep in mind that you'll need speaker stands for the 22s, which will add to the cost, bringing them close to the cost of the M60s.

3. Not necessarily. You can use Axiom's Full Metal Brackets, or Omnimounts. The FMB is shown as a wall mount, but can be mounted on the ceiling. The Omnimounts are rated to 10lb., but Axiom itself has said that is a conservative estimate, and they will support the 11 lb. QS8s without problem. If that worries you, you can go with the 20 lb. Omnimount if you prefer. The QS8s even have a threaded hole in the back that will handle the Omnimounts as well as the FMB.

4. Not at all. You can use the Full Metal Bracket again, or something as simple as this.


5. If you've got no other place, then it will have to do. Many of us have limited options when it comes to sub placement. Do the best you can, and don't worry about it.

6. If budget is a major factor, the PB12 ISD will certainly suffice. It is a competent subwoofer. You could probably even get away with a PB10 ISD in a room that size. It's just my opinion, and I plead guilty to being biased because I own one, but I feel the EP500 has a flatter, smoother frequency response. Only you can decide if the difference in performance is worth the difference in price. I don't think you'd be disappointed by the PB12 ISD. Either sub is capable of disappointing your neighbors.

7. Tough to answer that question based on your diagram alone. We don't know what your dealing with on the walls (windows, doors, etc., and your listening area appears to open to a similarly sized space (the bottom half of your diagram). We don't know what that open space is, or what's in it.

Hi Jack

Rick said i should ask you about the rocket ULW-10 sub.
Since you owned a rocket sub. Right now they are only $399.
Someone on this side recommended the axiom ep500 ($1000) is it worth it??? or should i consider the svs 12isd
What are your thoughts??? I am getting the epic 60 (except for the sub). I was originally thinking of spending 5-6 hundred.

thanks

Sorry If I put ya on the spot Jack but you were one of few that can give a true sense of how the different subs compare.

One quick point re: the sub choice...FWIW, don't forget that an Axiom sub will match the finish of the new speakers (unless, of course, you're looking at black for the Axioms anyway in which case it probably doesn't matter).

It's a small point for many, but it was important to me since my sub was going to be in a visible location, and I know it's sometimes important to others who need a good WAF (Wife Approval Factor) for harmony after the sale!

It looks like you are suspending the QS8's? Might as well just mount them on the back wall.

1) I love my m60's. If you get a chance to listen to B&W 703's, they are about the same sounding, but a lot more money. Below are some reviews.

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/axiom_m60ti.htm

Also, if you go to Google and type Axiom M60ti review, there are tons of reviews.

2) I think the 22's would do fine as well in that room size, a few other members on this forum use them in combination with a sub with no problems. They have great reviews. The 60's will give you better bass though, actually in my mind it is killer bass.

3) I have 9' ceilings, but my 4 Qs8's are mounted actually to the boxed in area around our venting which is about 8' 3". Here is a pic of my DIY custom mount with shelf brackets bought at Menards.



4) Normally you want the Center to be close to the same height of the tweeters on your mains. Alan from Axiom has mentioned that it is ok to have the center set back a little to form an arc, which gives a good soundstage. Try to have the Center angled so it is pointing at the listeners if possible.

5) The sound for the sub is non-directional, meaning it does not have to face the listeners like the other speakers. If you have your receiver crossover set to 80hz, you will be fine I'm sure..

6) Subs, even smaller sized will still be heard by your neighbors possibly, there is not a lot you can do to reduce that LOOooooWWWW bass. Think about when your driving down the road and one of those young teenagers with the Booom Booom Booom drives next to you. You can control the volume though to reduce any problems. The 350 is also a good sub.

To reduce our budget you could order your Axioms from the Factory Outled and save 10%, and also 5% if you buy 5 or more speakers.

One note, you could put your sub somewhere located behind the couch, that would give you an awesome experience for watching DVD's.

Don't forget the EP350 at less than 600.00 from the outlet, it would also go well in a room that size. It's defiantly no slouch.