Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Help for newbie on selection

Hello all. Just found this forum tonight after looking for info regarding the floor model m80's. I looked over this forum for an hour or so and im totally baffled on what i should do. I realize that not everyone agree's with everyone here.. but somebody should be able to help clear my mind just abit. Here goes....

- i have a chance to pick up a great set of used M80's. Since these are rated at 4 ohms... do people generally use a receiver that is powered to run these or do they use a cheaper receiver and bump up the power with a power amp?

- is the v0150 magnetically sheilded to sit on top of a tv?

- for rears... do most use the bi-polar set up or floor models? Reason is if i get the m80's.. i have mint condition set of sound dynamics r616's im thinking of changing over from the front for rears. Good idea?

- whats all this about marantz, yamaha, onkyo, sony... ect. Why does one sound better than the other? Or is it just personall preference?

- Do you people use a sealed or ported sub? What is the advantage/disadvantage between the two is using the same size woofer?

- Will the m80's sound crisp, clean and clear at low volume? I know some speakers need volume to bring them to life. I like my music and movie volume's to be at normal levels.. not too loud and not too hush. I think it was the m22's and the q8 rears i heard one time and they sounded GREAT at low to mid volume.. im wondering if maybe the m80's are abit overkill for me?

Thanks in advance...

Welcome, 72mustang!

Unless your room is gigantic and/or you plan on listening at earsplitting levels a receiver should be good enough. If not, make sure the receiver has preouts so you can hook up a separate amp.

Many people here have the VP150 on top of the TV and I can't remember anyone complaining about magnetic interference.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rears. Just use the speakers you've got right now. Later on, if you want, you can change to the QS series. I've been meaning to get some for years, but have never ponied up the money for them. Of course, once I hear them I may say they are a must-buy!

As for subs, you may find the M80s adequate by themselves for music, at least. If movies are your thing, a sub is a must. Generally, a ported sub will play lower and may offer a little more oomph. Sealed subs generally don't play as low, but may sound a little "crisper." I say generally because it's very subjective and there are variences between subs.

Well, I've never heard the M80s and I don't know how they sound at low volume.

Welcome,

First, the M80s will not disappoint. I urge you to buy them if you have the space.

1. You can use a receiver. I am in a 4,000 cubic foot room, I sit 8 feet away, and I run them with a half watt nominal to produce 85 to 90dB with a 90W/channel Denon. Denons and Harman-Kardons have no problem running M80s. Other receivers work as well. If you have a receiver, try it. What receiver do you presently have?

If you have a need for lots of power (150W+), go for separates. If you listen to late era classical, you may want to look at separates as well-recorded classical has very high dynamic range. You can use the receiver for the centre and surrounds and an amp for the two fronts.

2. The VP150 is shielded.

3. There's nothing wrong with using floor-standers for surround. Experiment with positioning. You may achieve a more realistic surround effect if you direct them away from your listening position so that you can't localize the sounds.

4. I don't believe any receiver sounds different from another. There is a debate as to whether some implement multi-speaker modes better than others. However, there is no credible evidence to suggest purchasing one over another based on sound quality. If you are planning on purchasing a receiver, look for the features you want/need and the ability to drive a 4 Ohm load. Most are not rated for 4 Ohms but will do it anyway.

5. The advantage of sealed is greater accuracy/less distortion at the expense of low end and loudness (sound pressure). Some claim that sealed subs can't approach the transparency of ported subs. I use the EP600 ported sub. What's amazing about it is that it works for music and movies. It goes deep, is very articulate, is smooth and transparent and it rattles your house when it's called to do so by the source. Put the money you save on surrounds/rears to a good sub like the 600. A sub is a must no matter what speaker you get unless you only plan to listen to flute music.

6. Like I said, I play my 80s with a half watt nominal for music. For movies I turn them up to a few watts nominal. Right now they are playing at less than an eighth of a watt so that I don't wake anyone. The music is still coming through clearly but I prefer to have them turned up.

The M22s sound thin, clear, more transparent and are less forgiving relative to the M60s. Some people like that. The 60s sound more full, laid back, more forgiving and mellow at the expense of clarity. The 80s combine the best features of the 60s and 22s but are not forgiving. If you have the space, go for 80s.

The best sound I've heard comes from placing 22s on top of 60s and running them both together as A+B. If you have music that hasn't been recorded that well, you can then switch the 22s off in favour of the more forgiving sound of the 60s.

Let us know what you decide to do.

I concur. I can add about the M80 (fabulous!) that they are quite good even at low volume (I am a neighboor-friendly person, so unless they are absent, my listening is low).

I have the EP-500 instead of the EP-600 and it is also an amazing sub (not as great, but amazing nonetheless)... and it fits in an appartment!

As for dynamic range, check the specs of the receiver for a separate specs on dynamic headroom. You can find many receivers that are not all that powerful at constant rate, but have lots fo headroom for dynamics.

I'd really like to hear for myself how different the 600 sounds from the 500. I think Randy had a 500 and he said it's not much different that the 600 he has now. And he has an 8,000 cubic foot room.

I used to have a 350 which was nice, but the 500 was light years ahead on performance. Going from the 500 to 600 was not as big of a leap, but there was a difference.

To me the 600 just seems to have more intensity.

Yeah... When I move to a house or much larger accomodations, I will be torn between replacing the 500 by a 600 or buy a second 500. All things consider, this is happiness: having to choose between two great solutions!

Especially if you drop it on your foot!

That is for sure, that 600 is one heavy boat anchor.

Two 500's is better than 1 600. this was established by a listening test by jakeman. personally, I would rather have a couple EP500s, you can move them both around the room to get optimal bass response throughout the room, whereas with the 600 you only have 1 option, to place it in one spot. Have the diversity of 2 subs is much better IMHO. And it looks cool having dual 500s at the front.

Ala, Dave...wherever the heck he is these days...