Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Buying advice for on wall

I am considering purchasing some axiom speakers for the front L/R/C and need some advice.

Due to design constraints, I can only place speakers on the walls. I would prefer t go with the in/on wall hybrid m22s, but because of my current set up and stud placements, I can only use on wall speakers. However, in the next cole of years I clan on renovating the room and will allow for in/on wall m22s.

So my question is, do I buy the m22s on wall, and just use these after the renovation as well, OR do I buy the on wall m2s, use them for next couple of years, then move them to bedroom and buy the m22s in/on wall hybrids at that point.

I guess the essence of my question is will I notice a significant difference between the m22 on wall and the m22 in/on walls?

Thanks!

I've only heard the on-wall M22s -- I have them in my own living room as part of a 5.1 system -- but I hear that they sound more or less identical except for bass range. The product specs indicate that the in/on-wall M22s play 10Hz lower than the on-wall M22s. You didn't mention whether or not you'll be using a subwoofer with this setup. If you will be using one, the bass extension difference is inconsequential and you should just go with the On-wall M22s.

That being said, you may like the Axioms so much that you'll want to have more around the house and buy another pair in two years anyway.

Or stack them vertically, like I did. See signature link. Mine are bookshelf on stands and on-wall. Sounds better than either of them alone.

Thanks. I am using a sub (10" Polk audio), and the room is about 18'x15', but it is open to the kitchen, so the entire room is much bigger.

the wife prefer in wall when the room is redone(of course!), so I may just go the cheaper route of on wall M2s for now and upgrade to the in wall M22s later on.

Thoughts?

That sounds like what you really want to do, so do it! The cost of another pair of M22s spread over two years isn't too big.

ordered the M22s on wall. thanks!

I like mine.

Not trying to intrude upon this thread but I'll be ordering some in/onwalls later this month.

I like the idea of 3 m22's across the the front because they'll likely do a better job of displacing my current speakers. However...altering my display to accommodate a vertical m22 is something I'd really like to avoid.

So, these are the set ups I'm mulling over>

1- M22 l/r & M2 as a CC.
2-M2's for lrc or
3-M3's for lrc

My living room is ~15x20(2700^3ft). Looking at the specs the M3 & M22 both play down to ~60hz. I'm aware of the advantage the m3's provide across the front but how are they disadvantaged over the M22's(in set up #1) in your estimations or opinions? And of the 3 set ups which would be best?

Thanks, Bill...

My vote goes to #1: M22, M2, M22.

Reason: IMO, M22 sound better than M2 and M3. M2 close match to M22 in tonal quality.

I'm not sure which advantages from the M3s you're talking about? If it is the fact that they sound like they have more bass (due to the hump between 80Hz and 150Hz), it shouldn't be a concern since you have a very capable sub. The M22s and M2s have a flatter frequency response and therefore will give you a more accurate sound reproduction and from what I hear, a clearer midrange. My choice would be the number 1.

Just curious to see what the others might have to say...I just thought the M3's across would provide a better seemless soundstage but I guess the imaging of the M22 is just that much better.

Hi Bill,
It's not that M22's image better than the M3's, but the M2 and M22 have a more 'transparent' sound - no mid bass hump.
My 1st vote is for 3 M22's across the front as your LCR, but since that's not an option I'd go with M22's L&R with M2 as your center. Note that I have the exact LCR setup you're considering - it took me 2 years to get to this setup after starting with the VP150 initially - I wish I had known about it from the beginning as you seem to be doing now.

Just to be clear, the M2 as the center channel has to be oriented vertically, right? Is it ok to put the M2 mounted above the TV as the center? in my room that will be very very close to the ceiling.

Your thread in particular amongst some others have me leaning that way. I just trying to give myself some reassurance by asking these question....

Thanks, Gents...Bill

Understood Bill. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions - I'd be happy to help.

Jsl - yes, an M2 should be mounted vertically if used as a center - I'll let others chime in on how close to the ceiling is too close as I have no experience there.

Cheers,

Careful what you ask for...jk

Dan, thanks for the offer!

Sincerely, Bill

Not sure if the wife will allow it but if she will bookshelfs mounted to the wall could be a good way to go espicaly if you need to mount the center close to the ceiling, at least then you could angle it down twards listening position. My GF (might as well be wife) was seriously not impressed when the m80s showed up and she realised how big they are so I feel you pain... Also depending on how far from the speakers u plan on sitting and how much impact you like to drums you might appriciate the mid bass hump of the m3s. I prefer listening to tracks that are mostly percussion on my m3s at a 5' distance then I do on my m80s at 12 - 15', but I also like LOTS (aka an unrealistic amount) of drum impact

Bill,

Let me know what you figure out regarding the center channel and the proximity to the ceiling. I'm in a similar situation at the moment.

This makes me wonder how vertically aligned M22 and M3 would sound.

Jsi, the proximity of the M2 to the ceiling isn't a problem in itself, but it should be slanted downwards so that the tweeter, as nearly as possible, points toward the ear level of the listener.

I think im gonna take one of my m3s down stairs this weekend and try it as a center to my m80s. I will let you know how it does.

Not quite the same thing. Now, putting/mounting the M3's directly above the M22s for L/R channel and wiring them to play the same thing is what I have in mind, to see how the 2 speakers blend together.