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Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
#152232 11/27/06 09:41 PM
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Ok, I need some advice. Here's the situation.

I currently have a pair of M22's as fronts, a VP150 for my center, and two pairs of Energy Take 5's acting as the rear channels in my home 7.1 setup (I still have the center from the T5 system, I just don't use it). The .1 is a $300 Kenwood 10" sub that's about 10 years old - it still works pretty well, but it is old. I may not know what I'm missing compared to a modern sub. I have a Pioneer Elite 43TX receiver powering it all. My wife and I are thinking about upgrading our system as a Christmas present to ourselves. Our den is roughly 18x24x10, and we're about a 60/40 mix of movies/music.

Our only real complaint is a lack of low-midrange warmth. I've slowly tweaked the receiver settings for the past couple of years, and it's pretty good now - but we want more. The subwoofer has plenty of power for LFE, but it doesn't seem add a whole lot musically to the low-end of the M22's.

The budget is about $1,000, give or take. I can't decide what I should do...

Option A) Replace the sub with an EP175/EP350 or an SVS PCi 20-39, and maybe pop for a pair of QS4's (maybe even stretch it and get QS8's). I would then hope that the much higher quality sub adds to the overall warmth of the system. This would make our entire system an Axiom one (going with the EP), eliminating all of the other "weak" links. As an added bonus, I'd now have a re-completed Energy Take 5 system + Kenwood sub that I could put in the bedroom.

or

Option B) Replace the M22's with M60/M80's, moving the M22's back to take over the main pair of rear channels (or just moving back to a 5.1 setup). I've always had the 'what-ifs' about the M60's/M80's . I realize that the M22's aren't really designed to be surrounds - so with this option I'd probably eventually replace the M22's with QS4's/8's and migrate the M22's to our bedroom, but that will have to wait a few months.

So I guess this really boils down to the old M60/M80 vs M22 w/ sub debate. What do you other wise Axiom owners recommend?

Last edited by PeterChenoweth; 11/27/06 09:49 PM.
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M
PeterChenoweth #152233 11/27/06 11:25 PM
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Option 1. Hands down, a better sub will make you really, really enjoy the system. Also, the QSx surrounds are great. I would probably go with the SVS over the Axiom subs, although I have to admit I've never heard Axiom's lower end subs.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
PeterChenoweth #152234 11/29/06 09:26 PM
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I say get an EP 500, $1080 from the factory outlet and wait to upgrade the surrounds and back. You'll get a lot more out of the sub exchange.


2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
PeterChenoweth #152235 11/29/06 09:37 PM
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Thanks to both of you for the advice. While the EP500 looks nice, it just seems to be quite expensive compared to SVS's offerings. I've had my eye on the SVS PCi+ 20-39 for quite some time, and I can get it and a pair of QS4's for about the same money as one EP500. My room is small enough (and hardwood floors) that I suspect the added power of the EP500 would be overkill.

That said, if anyone has direct experience comparing SVS's PCi+ line to the EP500, I'd love to hear about it.

Last edited by PeterChenoweth; 11/29/06 09:41 PM.
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
Lorenzo1000 #152236 11/29/06 09:41 PM
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I would suggest the Hsu STF 3 in 20HZ mode ( an added cost of $50 ) and a set of QS 4s. This would bring you to a total of $1010. The Hsu would rock your socks off in that size room.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
Wid #152237 11/29/06 09:45 PM
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I noticed that Hsu was having a sale on the STF-3 @ only $480. That seems to be a tremendous deal. I know both Hsu and SVS subs are praised around here.

But again, I am in this for the long haul, so if someone can say that the EP500 is really worth 2x+ the cost of the STF-3, I'd be willing to listen.


M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
PeterChenoweth #152238 11/29/06 09:48 PM
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To bad you weren't a little closer to my town, I would invite you over to check out the STF 3. The M80s too


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
Wid #152239 11/29/06 09:49 PM
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You'd be surprised how far I would travel to really hear them. I'd be honored to have a private demo of the M80's and the STF-3. If you're serious, PM me.

Where are you located? Chicago area, I presume?

Last edited by PeterChenoweth; 11/29/06 09:51 PM.

M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M80?
PeterChenoweth #152240 11/29/06 09:58 PM
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PM sent


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Replace old sub or upgrade from M22's to M60/M
PeterChenoweth #152241 11/29/06 11:10 PM
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For me, I'd get the STF-3 (or a similarly priced SVS Box) and QS8's. No question.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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