Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Thinking about switching to Axiom for next setup..

It's that time of year again -- upgrading time. Actually, it's been a while since I've done a speaker upgrade to my system; I've replaced the subwoofer and the receiver recently, but beyond that, I've kept my HT purchases to a minimum. Recently, though, I've been seriously bothered by the performance of my current system when it comes to dialog in 5.1 movies. So I started researching...and it brought me here.

Here is my current system:

Denon 3802
Velodyne CT-120 12" Sub
AR 318PS Front Towers
AR 215PS Rear Bookshelves
AR 225PS Center Channel

From what I can notice, the center channel seems to be seriously outmatched. It's muddy when it comes to dialog, and even configured correctly with Avia, I often have to turn up dialog-heavy scenes and turn down action-heavy ones. I'm tired of having to do that.

I'll post pictures of my living room when I get home, so you guys can get a feel for what I'm talking about, sizewise.

Anyway, I'm seriously considering upgrading to the following:

M50ti Front Towers
VP150 or 100 (not sure yet) Center
Either M3ti, QS4, or QS8 Surrounds.

I'm wondering what you all would recommend. I don't have an unlimited budget, but the more important decision to me is that I will not want to upgrade again in 5 years. I want this to be my last upgrade, save my television, in the next few years. So, with that in mind...

I use the system mainly for music (about 80%/20%), using the Denon 3802 7-speaker surround stereo setup, which sounds rather nice right now. In the future the ratio may increase for HT, but not significantly -- perhaps 70/30 or 60/40 at best. When we buy a house, I'm planning on building a media/theater room specifically for my lovely toys. Right now, though, this is all placed in the living room. :P

Hope that gives enough info. I'll be at home later tonight to post pictures, and hopefully fill in any questions I left unanswered.

thanks,
Rob

I couldn't say for sure without knowing the room size, but I'll assume it's a decent size since you are looking at towers, in which case I'd say QS8 and VP150. Many people would say the 60's as mains, but it depends on the sound you're looking for. I have the 22's so can't really comment there.

I too say go for the VP150 and QS8's. As far as the M50's go. It depends on your taste in sound. Do you prefer clear, crisp - what some might call "forward" or "bright", or do you prefer more subdued, laid back sounding speakers? If you like all the details, and clarity, you'll want the M60's. If you prefer a more "laid back" sound, the M50's are for you.

I have the M60's and VP150 and LOVE them. My speaker search is finally over. I won't be upgrading these babies for a long, long time. Next on my list is a pair of QS8 surrounds.

Good luck with you new upgrade.

As leader of the "M50 Crew" I thought I would reply. I realy like my M50's. I have not heard the M60's and was not considering them for budget reasons. I did however listen to both Paradigm and Def Tech models in the same price range as the M50's. I am one of those people who do not like bright or forward sounding speakers/equipment and the M50's are not bright/harsh/forward ,or what ever you want to call it, with music. There are times (not many) with movies that they do sound bright but alot of movie soundtracks are recorded this way. Also I'm not so sure I would label the M50's a "laid back" speaker but I can see why people would describe them that way when comparing them to the 60's. I am very happy with the M50's they do a great job at filling the large room I have. I would also suggest them for Movie first system. The M50's are on sale in the factory outle right now and that would make them a real bargin, and don't forget you'll be able to join the "M50 Crew" and roll hard with me and the other 4 guys on earth that own them. For the rest of your system I would recomend the VP150 and QS8's. I bought the 100 but ended up sending it back for the 150. The differance was not night and day, actually only 2db differance in my room, but the 150 fills the room better, besides you don't want to be sitting there three months down the road wondering if your system would have sounded better if you had bought the 150. All most every one on this board will recomend the VP150. I also recommend getting the QS8's, get the 4 if your room is smaller. The QS speakers throw out a wide sound stage and I liked this effect better than the direct radiating surrounds I had prior to getting the QS8's. Good luck.

My room is actually rather small right now (about 12-16ft deep, 20ft wide), and won't be growing much. Will be 500sqft probably at the largest, when I build my own media room.

Probably going to go with the M50's, alongside QS8's and a 150 center. Now I just have to wait for all those components to show up at the outlet.

Rob

Entity,

C'mon, don't you want those speakers now? I would call Axiom if I were you to see if they have what you want in the outlet. At worst, they'll put you on a list to have priority if they do become available, and at best, they'll have what you are looking for now but just hadn't posted it on the website. Good luck.

What should I watch out for, in terms of timbre matching? I'm seriously considering the M50/150/QS8, but I'm not sure yet. If I went with M50/100/QS8 or M50/100/QS4, should I be concerned?

Rob

I think all of those options will be timbre-matched, but I would follow 500's advice and purchase the VP150 over the VP100. I love the VP150, and I think you would regret not shelling out the extra money for it. If you are looking to cut corners, I think you would probably be better off skimping on the surrounds, and going with the QS4's rather than the QS8's. From what I hear, they are pretty similar in performance.

From what I know, the VP100 and 150 use the same tweeters as the QS8 and the M22s, M2s, M60s, and M80s. The M50s, QS4s, M3s, and M40s use a different tweeter. That said, Axiom does not make a "high end" center or surround that uses the M50 tweeter, so I'd go with the QS8s and the VP150.

I'm assuming the M50 and VP150 must be timbre-matched just fine. I went through their HT Wizard, and it suggested (for me) M50's with a VP150, QS8's, and a EP175 sub. Since I've already got a sub, I'll go with that recommendation, minus the sub.

I'll probably be calling them up in the next few days and ask if I can be put on a list for those parts in black (through the outlet).

Rob

How about dual VP100s?

Interesting idea, but I think I'll stick with the VP150. It's cheaper.

Anyone know how long it usually takes sales to get a hold of you? I emailed them yesterday; no response yet.

Rob

Give them a call...that's the quickest way.

kcarlile, unless I'm mistaken all currents Axioms with the exception of the vp50 center and qs4 surrounds all use the same 1 inch titanium tweeter. At least according to Axiom

'Fraid you're mistaken. If you check the M40s, M3s, and M50s, they list the 1" hybrid tweeter.

Oh, wait, they seem to have changed the specs. ???

Amie?

They definately have the 1 inch titanium tweeter, and have since I started checking out this site early this summer. You can even tell in the pictures.

I received an email from Alan, who explained that the M60's might be a better fit for my room, as well as for my needs. I'm going to try them out -- Amie has put me on the waiting list for the M60's + QS8's + VP150 in Black Oak. Now it's all just a waiting game. I can't wait.

Rob