Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M80 vs. M22

Greetings.

I'm looking for some input on my home theater front speakers. I'm 95% certain that I'm going with a 7.0 system from Axiom but I'm hung up on the front speakers.

The room is 20 feet wide, 25 feet deep, with a ceiling that starts at 7 feet behind the TV and rises all the way to 27 feet (yes twenty seven feet) before coming back down. The room opens into a hallway, kitchen and front room - a really grand room. The television is a 61" JVC HDTV, the amplifier is a Yamaha RX-V2600, the subwoofer (the missing 0.1) is an SVS PB12-Ultra and I may add a second later.

In use the system is about 60% television, 30% movies, and 10% music but I'm hoping to do more music listening. I like progressive and classic rock. The listening spot is 8-12 feet from the screen depending if I'm watching standard or high definition television.

For the surrounds I like the QS8's - do I need four of these or can I get by with 3 of them in a 6.1 system?

The VP150 center makes sense.

Where I'm truly stuck is the fronts. They'll be replacing some very well loved but very old Infinity RS III's which have been around the world with me and have earned their retirement. The M80ti's and the M22ti's both get great reviews and the only slant that pushes me toward the $900 more expensive 80's is the extra volume that they'll handle.

So M22 owners do they play loud?

If anyone owns both a comparison would be priceless.

Price isn't really a concern as these guys are going to be around a long time.

I'm surprised you aren't considering the M60's, but for my dollar and if price is not a big concern, I would go with the 80's, especially since you plan to keep them awhile. might as go with the best Axiom has to offer, you won't regret it.

You have a large room. That may not be a factor in choosing the mains as much as the size of the listening area. If the extra $900 doesn't break the bank, I'd go with the 80s if for no other reason than to avoid the "what if" factor.

Where the size of the room WILL come into play is your choice of subwoofers. The Ultra is a good sub, but so are the Axiom EP500s and EP600s. The Ultra will reach a bit lower and play a bit louder below approximately 23 Hz. But above that point, where something like 95% of bass information can be found, the Axioms will have the advantage in smoothness of frequency response, and volume. In short, they will sound a bit "better" than the Ultra.

I own an EP500, so I plead guilty to being biased, and won't be offended in the least if you go for the Ultra. It is a good sub. However, in a space as large as yours, whether you go with SVS, or Axiom, or HSU, or Velodyne, etc., I suspect you are going to want to go with two subs.

One of the guys here (Jakeman), runs Axioms for the above 23Hz (or so) material, and runs an Ultra for the stuff below that. You might investigate the possibility of doing the same.

You could certainly "get by" with 3 QS8s OR 4 QS8s. But, again, if it wouldn't break the budget, with a room that large, and to avoid the "what if" factor, I'd go with 4 of them.

Welcome to the forum.

I would say for that big of a room, to go with a floorstanding design. I have a 30ft x 30ft room with 9ft ceilings and my 60's do a great job combined with the EP500. Not sure the 22's, even with a sub, would be enough to fill that space.

Also keep in mind the 80's are a 4ohm speaker, and some with Yammy's have had problems driving the 80's. Denon, HK, and many seperates will not have a problem. You might want to consider the 60's as they are very similar to the 80's, and will give you better bass performance overall than the 22's for that big of a room.

Also, keep in mind you can order from the Factory Outlet and save 10% on your speakers.

Welcome...Randy

Thanks for the replies HomeDad and Ajax. I've found that you only buy quality once so I really try to do it right the first time. Two subwoofers is probably good advice and I am looking for a second one to add. I have not heard any advice against mixing subwoofers and main speakers brands like I have against mixing the main and center speakers.

The QS8's get great reviews and I've got two good walls and a challenge to mount the rears as the room breaks up into a 90 degree stairwell, a "bridge" and some odd angles. I have some old Infinity bookshelf speakers I'm going to use to experiment with the locations prior to switching in the Axiom speakers.

Well, I've got the M22's and the M60's. If you are having a hard time choosing between the M22's and the M80's, then why not go inbetween and get the M60's? If that's not an interest to you, then get the M80's. The M22 is an excellent speaker and can play loud, but I prefer the fuller sound of my M60's.

I’ve got both the M80’s and M22’s, QS8’s, and M3’s.

My current set up for the TV is using M22’s for the mains. My two channel system is where the M80’s are.

While the 22’s are great little speakers, they simply are not in the same ball park as the M80’s. Sorry M22 groupies, they don’t compare…..not even close. They’ll play plenty loud, sound great and are surprisingly big in sound for a bookshelf, but man are they lacking in ‘presence’ vrs the 80’s. I was going to hold off on buying another set of towers for the TV area (as it’s very small, 9’ X 11’) until I get the HT room finished, but have decided to get towers and sacrifice seating area for having them in this ‘little’ area because they are just so much better. – I know others will claim that with a good sub you don’t need towers, but I disagree. – I’ve got an EP 600 and the M22’s are still not enough for me.

Personally, even in a small room application, I wouldn’t go with anything but a full size floor standing loudspeaker. Bookshelf speakers have a purpose where towers are physically too large, or in an office……..but if you have the room, don’t screw around with them and just get a set of towers.

The M60’s would probable do just dandy, but I’ve not heard them so I can’t give them the big thumbs up that I can with the M80’s.

For the dollars spent the 80s are unbelievable. Go with Axiom's best in that large room.

I agree with Ajax about the sub.

The best thing is that the internet companies allow 30 day trials. You can test those different sub combos.

Good listening!

4 Ohms!

Well I just looked up the Yamaha's rated impedance and it's 8 ohms, it will drive a 6 ohm load as well but not current rated for 4 ohms.

Looks like the M60's are the biggest 8 ohm speaker.

Dang.

Hold on!

I suspect you will be fine. Someone with a Yammy and 80s will post and give you the real deal!

The 2600 is new and the newer versions of the Yamaha are better than previous models.

Your main concern will be too much heat build up if you listen at insanely loud levels. The 80s are very efficient and an easy 4 ohm load.

I forgot to welcome you to the forum earlier. Welcome! I think you will find many here with the experience to help you.