M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4
newbie
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OP
newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4 |
A few months ago, I asked for some advice and received some very nice answers. Now I'm back with some final questions before I go ahead and order my speakers.
My home theater is roughly 10' x 15'. I will be using an SVS PB-13 Ultra subwoofer, which I already own. I will also be using Axiom Qs8 as my surrounds.
For my front speakers, however, I would like to use in-wall speakers due to space restrictions. I've heard great things about the M22 bookshelf speakers and how great they sound with a good subwoofer. I was wondering, however, how the M22 in-wall speakers compare. I am thinking of purchasing three and matching them for the L/C/R.
Somebody at Axiom told me that, in comparison with the W22, they are pretty much identical. However, someone at AVS Forum says I should be concerned about if they are identical sonically. He said the ports for the W22 are located on the bottom of the front baffles, so he's wondering where the ports are located for the M22 in-walls. Also, I would like to know if the M22 in-walls sound similar to the M22 bookshelves, or if there's a difference because of its enclosure.
I figured I'd ask here first, but if needed, I will ask Axiom directly. I know I can test them out for 30 days, but I'm certain I'll be happy with them after hearing how the M22 bookshelves sound. I just want to make sure I'm not making a huge sacrifice with the M22 in-walls.
Thank you all for your help.
-Armen
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
I’m not sure you’d be making a huge sacrifice but I have a hard time imagining any in wall speaker will match the performance of a similar bookshelf speaker no matter who the manufacture. The specs look mostly the same however, the in wall rolls off 10dB higher than the bookshelf. Proximity to the wall may make up for this. Also missing are any graphs of the frequency response for the in wall. I have a feeling your going to be a guinea pig unless you can wait for some reviews to come out.
Personally I would avoid an in wall speaker unless I had no other choice. Even if they can make it sonically identical to the bookshelf version once you mount it your done, unless you want to cut more holes to move them. Also no chance of using toe-in or moving them in any simple way to tweak the imaging. Just like using a horizontal center is IMO a compromise solution for fitting a speaker where you need it I believe the same about in wall speakers.
I’m not so sure the bookshelf speakers shoved right up against a wall would sound all that great either but at least with them you have the option of moving them around easily or even swapping them out to another location should you ever wish to change them out. I also imagine bookshelf speakers would have a better resale potential should you ever want to get rid of them.
If it’s in walls you must use I imagine Axiom’s will be as good relative to the competition as their other speaker but I wouldn’t expect the same performance from in wall as stand alone speakers.
Cheers, Dean
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
Axiom claims the in-wall speakers are pretty close in performance to their out-wall brothers, however, the main difference would be that you can't adjust for placement and toe-in issues to find the best soundstage in YOUR room. Placement is key. For in-wall, I would test them out of the wall, maybe on step ladders or something to get an idea what they will sound like.
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4
newbie
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OP
newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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Thanks for the replies.
I don't think placement should be an issue because I was planning on testing them, just as sirquack mentioned.
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
frequent flier
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frequent flier
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10 |
Alright...I am that guinea pig. I installed the In-wall M22's as my fronts, M2's as my Surround and added to 150 Center. Overall impression..."eh". They are slightly hallow sounding with a true lacking in the mid range. My brother in law has the B&W's and there is a true difference in performance...don't believe that these are going to perform like some of the 1000.00 speakers (the guy that wrote that was wayyyy off). However, with the crossover on my sub turned up it balances the sound out. However on there own, the sound is not even as close as my entry level Polks. They definitely will fill your room, my room is 20x15 and 18ft ceilings and loudness not a factor.
My wife really wanted my towers gone.
Install was OK, however two of the M2's had defective clamps. Axiom took immediate care and are shipping out replacements. I give them a A+ for handling the transaction correctly.
Overall, they are great if you need a "hidden" speaker, if you want the WOW factor, look for something else. If Axiom want's to improve upon these they need to move up to a larger speaker and cabinet. Atlantic Tech did just that, but they're significantly more $$$
Last edited by KAPLANMT; 09/15/09 12:10 AM.
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833 |
Sorry to here that. I must admit, hearing that an Axiom product is " lacking in the mid range". Are you sure you have all your settings are right?
Rick
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
20 x 15 x 18 (5400 cu ft) is pretty huge to try to fill with bookshelf speakers, in-wall or regular. Placement is key with speakers for proper soundstage in a room, one problem of in-wall speakers in my opinion, you can't experiment on various placement or toe-in.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
frequent flier
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frequent flier
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Posts: 10 |
They are most definately config'd corect. I second guessed myslef but then hooked both sets (new and old) up to a speaker switch and toggled between the two listening to various music and movies. Music was extremely noticable, movies not as pronounced.
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
frequent flier
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frequent flier
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10 |
Axiom stated that they would preform fine in this space. As for loudness not an issue. I actually built fake walls to insert the speakers into and played with placement, placement is not the issue either.
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Re: M22 In-Wall Speakers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
You can't just use a speaker switch and go back/forth without calibrating each speaker individually each time, not a fair test as no two speakers are designed the same.
Placement of a speaker, and rooom acoustics are the largest factor in your results, they are an issue whether you understand that science or not.
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