Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
IIRC the M22s and M60s were both designed to have the same "sound" as the M80s but in smaller enclosures (and with fewer drivers). The M2, M22, M60 and M80 are generally considered to have one "sound" (think of these as the 5-1/2" midrange family), while the M3, M40 and M50s have a slightly less "forward" sound (the "6-1/2" midrange family).
QS8s are supposed to have the same sound as M2... M80. Not sure which side of the family QS4s follow.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
The Qs4 follow neither family, they have a slightly different tone/voice but close enough to work well witheither set.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83 |
IMO the M80s, M22s, M2s and QS8s are as perfect a sonic match as you will find with any system of speakers. I can’t comment on other Axiom offerings since I haven’t heard them but based on the driver complement and comments from other assume that the VP180 is also a perfect match.
My room is 21 feet deep with the front of my M80s 4 feet off the front wall and my seating 12 feet from the mains, about 11.5 from the center which give me about 5-6 feet behind me. I’ve tried M22s, M2s and QS8s as rear speakers in this room and found no difference between the M22s and M2s. IMO the QS8s are marginally better as rears even at 5 feet because the way the spread out the sound helps them blend better with the QS8 surrounds. So if money is no object I would go with QS8 rears, however if you want to switch out to bookshelf rears I’d go with M2s.
Thanks grunt and everyone also for your personal experiences. This is exactly the info I'm looking for. So now that the speaker question is answered the next is the power amp. I was looking at a prepro but from all your comments here I'll use my Pio as the pre and just add a power amp. While the list is huge my budget is not! I'd like to stay at $2000 or less. Let me know what you think.
Last edited by zuter; 12/07/10 07:01 PM.
M80's, VP180 and QS8's. Marantz AV 7005 pre/pro Outlaw 7700 power amp SVS SB12 sub
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Do you want a 7 channel amp or a 2?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Usual suspects for amplifiers are Emotiva(with some caution), Outlaw Audio, Anthem, Bryston, Axiom's own amps(used?). There is a myriad of used amps on the market. What I have been doing is checking out what is available used and then look to user reviews for quality concerns. AVS is a good source of people comlaining about this and that, you just have to sort through the minor complaints to find those that are valid. I have hesitated on a coupls of used ones and missed out. Jakeman recommended a Sherbourn multichannel he saw and I waited a few days - too late.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83 |
7 channel - this is for home theater only.
How about a Marantz MM8003, I found one for about $1700 new. Haven't checked any reviews and it's really only the first one I've come across.
Hey jakewash, I've not seen any used Axiom amps yet. As for the others, are you looking in Craigelist or other online sites for the used products...I've only begun looking into this and don't know where to start! I don't want to scoop any deals you're onto but any info would be greatly appreciated.
M80's, VP180 and QS8's. Marantz AV 7005 pre/pro Outlaw 7700 power amp SVS SB12 sub
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282
local
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local
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282 |
Grab a Emotiva UPA-7 or combo XPA-2 and 5 over the Marantz, i am a Marantz fan but you wont feel the difference between the two, your wallet will. http://emotiva.com/upa7.shtm
Last edited by Philippe; 12/07/10 10:09 PM.
Nad C356 DAC & C515 Axiom M3v3 Grant Fidelity RPF-120 MKII Analysis Plus Black Oval 12&10 JRiver 19
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
You could certainly save a lot of dough going with a 2 or 3 channel and using the receiver to run the other speakers.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Zute, as my previous reply and a couple of other comments indicate, at least at this time you should have no power amp question. It's highly likely that the one you have now in your receiver should do the job just fine. None of the Axiom speakers have any unusual power requirement and there are members using them with less powerful receivers than yours with no problem. In any case, you should try what you have now before spending more money.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Sound upgrade to M80's advise.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83 |
Sound advice from all, sorry for the pun!
I do plan on trying the Pioneer first. I'm sure, as it been pointed out, that I won't have any issues using just my receiver. While it's not top-of-the-line it has severed me faithfully for some time. While it doesn't support HD audio it plays well using PCM for 7 channel.
I have always wanted seperates and I will get there one day. Just looking for any info that'll give me an understanding of what to consider and look for when an opportunity/deal comes along. I used to be very interested in audio, years ago, and I'm now only playing catch-up.
Again thanks for all your help and insights!
M80's, VP180 and QS8's. Marantz AV 7005 pre/pro Outlaw 7700 power amp SVS SB12 sub
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