Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Home Theater Questions (Axiom Epic 80/350)

The main difference between M60’s and M80’s is that the M80’s can handle more power and play louder. Sonically, they are nearly identical, but I hear the 80’s do have a little something extra over the 60’s in terms of effortlessness and dynamics, but that the difference is not that noticeable. Remember that with the 80’s you’ll need an amp that can drive their 4 ohm load, which the Denon can.

I used to own an EP350, and it was a good sub, but I felt it did not have enough oomph to compliment my speakers (epic80) properly. I hear the 500 and 600 do with ease. They are really in a class of their own with the DSP chip in them and bigger amps. With your size apartment, and the fact that it’s not fully soundproof, I’d stop at the 500. You’d be surprised how much bass travels in apartment buildings. Are the floors concrete? This will help soundproofing if they are.

I also am convinced that the Oppo 981 is the DVD player for you. Check www.oppodigital.com.

Todd,

I was in the same price range as you are and this is what I did. It’s almost the same as you put together but it gets you both the M80s and the EP500.

2xM80s, 1xVP150, 2xQS8s and EP500 (from factory outlet w/ht discount) $3000.10

DENON AVR-2807 (B-stock from Dakmart) $782.57 (including shipping)

Oppo DV-981 $236.95(including shipping)

Total 4019.62

I have never had a playback problem with recorded media on the Oppo. I use DVD+R DL, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and CD -R/RW. Be aware the 981 only has HDMI output. Any way you cut it Oppo makes great upscalling players.

Dakmart sometimes takes awhile to ship depending if they have anything in stock from Denon. The B-stock only has a 90 day vs 1 year warranty but otherwise Denon makes it like new. The Denon website has a list of authorized resellers if you choose to go this route.

The reason I suggest you get the M80 is that if you are like many of us you will always wonder if you should have. Same with the EP500. It really is a cut above the EP350. I got them even though I live in an apartment since I wanted to future proof myself for when I get a house.

When I researched getting my HT setup back in December one common theme I ran across was to get the best speakers you can afford at the time. Much more likely technology will drive you to upgrade your DVD player, receiver or display before you your speakers.

You could also get a good sub from HSU or SVS and probably save a little more money or invest it in a something like a “Buttkicker.” Some people don’t like them but since I live in a top floor apartment I love it. I can play my sub at neighbor friendly levels while still feeling the LFE. But try a sub alone first since it may be enough for you.

Have fun shopping,
Dean

Todd, on the TV question, actually that was exactly the Sony that I guessed from the size and budget considerations. It's a LCoS, rather than an LCD model, and along with all(other than CRT)HD sets it has to scale incoming material which doesn't match its "native resolution"(1080 in this case)to even display a complete picture. The only question would be whether a player or receiver(actually the 2807 doesn't scale)would do a visibly better job than the set itself does. Those Sonys are notably good in that respect and it's unlikely that a player or receiver would significantly improve the scaling, so base your decision on those items on other features.

Well, I did a demo today and I think I'm in trouble...

I've decided the M80s are the way to go, which is a good thing... but now that I've listened to (or more accurately felt) an EP600 I don't know if I can bring myself to just getting an EP500 (and the EP350 is long gone). Oh well, I knew this would happen... and I have some tough decisions to make... but I know that Axioms are going to be the way to go!

Thank you all for the advice!

-Todd...

PS - For those of you using the EP600 horizontally in the front (below the TV) how do you find the sound (relative to a vertically mounted one placed elsewhere in the room) and how do you have things arranged (tv stand, TV, center channel, etc.)?

Sirquack had an EP500 in his 8,000 cubic foot entertainment room before upgrading to an EP600. According to his posts, the two are very close in performance.

When I first received my 600, I tried many different locations in my 4,000 cubic foot room. And I tried vertical and horizontal. I even tried positioning it outside of my main room at the bottom of the stairs firing up into my main level. I also laid it horizontally right behind my couch. No matter how or where I positioned it, it filled the room with deep, powerful bass.

I'm not sure what you've decided for your room lay-out. I'm hoping that you decided to locate your equipment where you are showing your couch. You don't need to locate it between the two fronts to get good sound. Undistorted bass (unlike the Klipsch) is omni-directional. In my opinion, what would make the most sense for your room is to lay the 600 horizontally below the window. I think this will offer the best performance while giving you the flexibility to locate your A/V equipment between your M80s on/in a low profile cabinet. Also make sure though that the sub is elevated from the floor with spikes or feet to prevent your floor from coloring the sound.