Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Soon ordering Epic Grand Master Architectural 500

I'm a newbie to these forums as this is my first post. I have been reading for a while now and researching my theather system for the past year or so. I have finally decided on what I will be getting. I changed my mind many times from Polk LSI 15s to Paradigm 60s , to Paradigm Onwall Esprit and have landed on the Epic Grand Master 500 Architectural series. I decided I did not have the space for floor standing speakers so on-walls it is.

I will be ordering these in High Gloss Cherry soon. I am also planning on getting the Denon 3808 and a PS3 for bluray playback (And the games ofcourse).

My Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50" 1080p Plasma is getting delivered today.

I will post some pics once I have all of it setup. My only question is whether the Denon is a bit of an overkill for these speakers? I do like the Idea of the built in Audiology calibration system (Since I doubt I could do it better myself) as well as the ability to stream music from my PC and internet radio.

Welcome aboard! The architectural series seems to have had quite a few orders recently. It will be nice to hear comments from all of you new owners.

The Denon is just fine with those speakers. No such thing as overkill.

Well...

Thats a great system you have chosen! As to the 3808, It has more watts than you need for the W22, but it does have some very nice features including audiology and the fact that it is a network device. It really depends on the features you need/want.

The 3808 or ist successor is on my short list when I upgrade to Bluray.

My M22s sound every bit as good on the 3808 as they did on the 1804. As was mentioned, no such thing as overkill(or too much wattage) as long as you are buying the 3808 for the features it has it is money well spent. The network connectivity for audio streaming was my main reason to get one, it allows for very easy firmware updates too. The GUI was a close second.

I think you will be very pleased with the system you picked out. Look forward to seeing your comments and pictures.

Tom, welcome. If you like the features of the 3808 and it fits your budget, go with it. You don't have to worry about "overkill" in the sense of endangering the speakers, since speakers take only as much power as they require for a given sound output; the amplifier doesn't force it into them. You'll likely use considerably less than the maximum power capability of the 3808.

If you are Canada, Listener, the Sherwood Newcastle R872 is a better deal than Denon - better SQ/$$ due to high markups in Canada by D&M Holdings distributor. Both units come out of same Etonics factory

Yep, that is why Axiom as partnered with SN to sell their line.

You just have to find the right retailer here in Canada, Soundsaround here in Calgary, routinely puts the Denon 2808 on sale for about $750. I was able to get them down to $1300 inc. GST for the 3808.

Thanks Guys. I do have one more question. I'm wondering if the EP350 v3 sub would be enough for my space. it is about $500 less than the EP500. My living room and kitchen are open to each other. The entire area is 25'x19' with 8' ceilings, so it's close to 4000 cubic feet. Does anyone use the 350 in a space that large? And if so can you please comment? Also for those of you who have the 500 in a space this large does it seem ("too much" "not enough" "just right")? Thanks again guys.

Counting my kitchen, my space is probably larger than that. The living room alone is about 20' x 19' x 8', and the 350 is, to quote Rolls Royce, more than adequate.

I have heard the 350 in a 4000cf room and it still had lots of punch.

Thanks Calvin. Do you use your system for both music and HT? If so do you ever feel like you should have gone with the ep500? It sounds like you're happy I'm just investigating before I make the final decision. =)

It's actually Ken, Calvin's just who said my sig...

I use it for both, but not at very high volumes at all. I don't really have the regret about not getting an EP500; the 350 is quite good.

OTOH, the 500 is quite good, too, and if you want to be sure you won't get hit with upgraditis, go with the 500.

C'mon, Calvin, tell the truth. . .