Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Picking a system

Well, I'm turning to you because I just can't decide. I've been doing research for building my HT. How hard can this be?! I am looking at receivers and speakers. I am 99% sold on Axioms although I have never heard one. (All from what I have read. I just have to get over this "brightness" thing I keep hearing about) I have never really owned a system worth a crap. If it was pretty loud w/o distortion, I was happy. I still use a set of 15 year old pioneers, that haven't had a woofer for the past 3!) I am looking at the m50's and the m60's. (the prob is $$$) I think I do want floor standing because I love hard rock/metal and I want the power. My dilemma is, due to the cash, if I go with the 60's, I really can't afford the upgrade with the surrounds and center. What do you think would be the better system for my 220 sq. foot bare hardfloor room? m60's, vp100, qs4 ....... or m50,s and can then afford the upgrade to vp150, and qs8. Or some other variation around the same price range??? Which the leads me to the sub. Been looking at HSU, SVS and the axiom ep175. I know , alot of question. Its alot of money and just want to make the right choices. Any advice is appreciated very much. This system would be used for mostly HT but I like to rock hard every now and then. Thank you all here, I've been reading this forum alot lately. Lots of good advice.

A 220 sq.ft. room is roughly 14' x 16', right? How far away from the speakers is your listening position? If it's 10 feet or less, the M60s might not be the best option for you. While the M60s are definitely a fantastic speaker, what may fit your room and budget best right now are the M22s. Don't let the small(ish) size fool you. These suckers play LOUD and CLEAR and if paired with a good sub are no worse at laying you flat on your back M50s and M60s. The benefit of buying the M22s is that you have a nice chunk of change left over to spend on that subwoofer and surround speakers.

For a sub, I'd recommend the Hsu STF-2. You can't beat the price, especially if you run out to CompUSA and grab one before they run out!

As far as surrounds and the center go, if you've got the money buy the VP150 and QS8s. If you're running out of money, step down to the VP100 and QS4s. They're not as good as their bigger counterparts, but they're still great and cost significantly less.

I hope this helps you on your way to Axiom heaven.

i recomend getting the m60. Eventually will will get the upgrade bug, and you can upgrade your other components then

the vp 100 and vp 150 are very similiar, except the vp 150 is for large rooms. Compromise and get m60, vp 100 and QS8

a lot of people on these forums recommend SVS and HSU. My opinion is that HSU is slightly tighter. But if you want a someting with a small footprint, then the SVS cylinder series is the way to go. But, if you dont want to spend to much money, HSU will be coming out with STF-1 soon. And if it is anything like its bigger brothers(which im sure itwill be) it should be an awsome sub for the money. The STF will cost less then the least priced SVS-the SVS 25-31PCi(549$)

Another option is to get m22. with a sub you should be fine

While I have not heard the VP150, I still have to disagree with you, Hawk, about them being pretty much the same. From all that I've read on the boards, the VP150 has far better imaging. Me, I'd go with the M22s, QS8s, VP150, and the Hsu STF-2. I'm pretty impressed with how loud the M22s play.

sorry. did not make myself clear

yes the vp 150 is a better, speaker-better imaging, soundstage, loudness etc. But it is the same tonality. And it does use the same drivers and tweeters as the Vp 100, it is just larger and has more drivers. On the other hand the Qs8 and Qs4 employ different drivers and tweeters, so in my opinion there is more of a difference between the QS8 and Qs4 then vp 100 and vp 150.

But then again i am often wrong and have no idea what i am talking about

just something to think about foxtrot

Your room is the size in which M60's or M22's would both work very well.

Like Peter said, if you aren't going to be at least 10' away from the speakers while listening, the M22's may be the better choice for you.

Here are my suggestions:

If you're 10' or more away from the mains while listening, by all means, go with the M60ti mains.

If you can't sit back at least 10', don't hesitate in getting the M22ti. If you're sitting that close, and your room is only 220 sq. ft., they'll work wonders for you.

I've never heard the VP100 or QS4's, but I can tell you that the VP150 is superbly clean, and the QS8's are the best surround speakers I've ever heard. Having said that, I've never heard anyone say they didn't like their QS4's or VP100 for that matter either.

Don't skimp on the subwoofer. One word for you. Hsu. 'Nuff said.

Don't let budget steer your purchase. If you have to, but the speakers piece by piece. This speaker system should last you 10+ years. If you were to go all out and get the M60ti, VP150, QS8's and Hsu STF-2, that breaks down to about $200/year ($17/month). A pretty fair price to pay for 10 years of kick ass music and movies.

I'm not suggesting you get yourself into piles of debt to buy all that gear. Save up, and buy them piece by piece. You'll be glad you did. Keep an eye on the outlet for bargains. (Don't forget to email Amie as well. Many times there are items available at outlet prices which have not made their way to the site!)

Listen to spiffnme. He smart.

Him make head hurt. Him too smart.

Yeah, yeah...I know, I basically just repeated Peter's advice.

I at least broke down how much enjoying a kick butt Axiom system would cost him per month.

What does that break down to per minute, then?

JF, I won't try to go over all the options that the other replies have covered, but let me make a different suggestion. As a temporary measure to allow you to get better speakers otherwise, don't get a center speaker at all. Use the mains to create a "phantom" center. The disadvantage would be that dialogue wouldn't be anchored to the center of the screen for a listening position off to the side. Spend what you can afford now on the other speakers and when your budget allows, add a center speaker.

$2020 total cost

Broken down over 10 years...

$202/year
$16.83/month
$0.55/day
$0.02/hour
$0.0004/minute
$0.000006/second

I thank you all for the advice. I think I am getting closer. Been reading alot, including Isabels posts, and fired off a phone call to Axiom. I think what I am getting from most of you and I agree is get the better equipment now. I mean hey, thanks to spiffnme, look how little it all really costs!:) So, whether I do it all at once or piece it a bit I think the 60s, 150, qs4s and a hsu sub, I'll be most definately kickin' ass! Now, if you would be so kind, since I'm now speaker rich and $$ poor, what would be the lesser expensive AVR I would use to run this setup? It would be nice to power this with a $400-$500 receiver. Is this cool, or is it like the speakers, pay now?

I have 200 sq ft with hard wood floors. I have m22's, with a Denon 3802 and it's PLENTY loud (disclaimer: I'm 40 years old though). If the majority of your listening is HT you may want to consider the vp150. I have never heard the qs8's just the qs4's but I expect the difference is somewhat like the jump from a vp100 to a vp150 maybe even more so if your going to listen to dvd audio. For surround effects the qs4's do great job in a room my size, absolutely no complaints...yet another option, it's all clear as mud now huh? Good luck, any Axiom combo is pretty much a can't miss.

you said:"All from what I have read. I just have to get over this "brightness" thing I keep hearing about".
-I to have read the same around several message boards and actually without listening to any AXIOM's I would not say go for it! BUT my M80ti's arrived today! IMO most listeners ARE NOT experienced 'music listeners'. The so called brightness comes from not hearing ALL the sound that is available on mass produced low end speakers. All the reviews I've read by the 'experts' on numerous audio forums have not said AXIOM's are too bright, just AMAZING sound. Now for my 2cents: Be 100% sold on AXIOM!!! The second CD I listened to tonight (a few tracks from THE WALL-mostly acoustic)literally gave me chills! AND the longer I've been listening the better those damn thing sound! AXIOM IS NOT GETTING THEIR M80'S BACK!

Hsu VFT-3MkII on pre-order!
sony str-de985 (looking to upgrd to yamaha,denon or HK)

Hmm THE WALL.. i think that sounds like a good one for me to play tonight. I love mother...

JF, if you've been reading Isabel's posts, do thou likewise on the receiver. If your budget can handle it, get the new Yamaha 1400 for about $600.

I just got a Denon 3803 at 6ave for 648.06 :-) they were out of stock on the 3802 and were just upgrading to the 3803. It is not published on their site