Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners M60/QS4 or M22/QS8?

> I would get the M60's for mains. The reason being that it
> is nice to have the option of listening to stereo music with
> two full range speakers without the sub.

I'm wondering if this is a personal thing, that some people find the sound of a sub playing a large part in music to be offensive or annoying (like some people see rainbows in DLP displays and others don't), a preference thing (like some preferring a brighter brand of speakers and others a warmer brand), or a value thing (it sounds the same to everyone, some people just think the minor imperfection is more important than others do). A subtle distinction, I suppose; it made more sense before I wrote it.

-spc

> I had my VP150 on a carpeted floor for a while, tilted
> upward toward the listening area. It sounded great that way.

Very good to hear; I'll go with that setup for the center, then.

> In any event if you have the space M60s are better. Just don't
> crowd yourself -- block out the floor space carefully
> and maybe make a cardboard mockup of the M60 to best envision
> the size.

This is something that's actually been worrying me a bit. I think I'll be fine technically, but it's tight -- I'll have about 14-16" of clearence between the edge of the screen and the right wall (or an open entrange/hallway on the left), and there'll likely also be the far wing of a sectional couch pressing in towards the front of the right main (although this depends a lot on the size couch I get and how far back from the screen I can place it). Perhaps I should do a mockup as you suggest to get a better idea.

> Either configuration will give you really great sound.
> You'll be limited more by source material quality than speaker/amp
> issues at that point.

Yeah, I'm probably quite overthinking this ;-) Setting up an entire system from scratch -- my first real HT system, to boot -- can be a daunting task. I have a feeling that once it's all assembled, all these niggling details worrying at me now will blend into the background.

-spc

In reply to:

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I'm wondering if this is a personal thing, that some people find the sound of a sub playing a large part in music to be offensive or annoying

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scier,
It is definitely a preference. Some ppl like the extra oomph from a sub or do not mind the large driver playing a higher frequency range.
I abhor it and use my sub only for frequencies below the general dropoff for my M60s which is around 45-50Hz effectively.

The reason I suggested M60's for stereo listening is sometimes I find listening to stereo music with a sub distracting. A subwoofer is usually placed in the corner or on the side of a room. You are not supposed to be able to tell where the low frequencies are coming from - but this is not always the case. I can tell the bass is not coming from the center of the soundstage - so I like to listen to music just with two full range speakers. This may just be me or my set-up.

I did not notice the size of your listening area was 13x13. Three m22's across the front may be the best choice. That would really be a seamless soundstage. As far as the center channel goes, I would look for a stand that will elevate the speaker as high as you can get it without getting in front of the screen. Ideally, you want all of the tweeters to be at the same height across the front. Of couse this is hard to do - you just try to get it as close as you can.

I can't tell you what the M60's are like but the M22s and QS8's I have with a cheap sub sound great, especially with movies. The sub gives you that extra oomph needed. My room dimensions are 12x16 not too far off from yours so I think it would sound similar in your room. You get used to music with a sub and I have heard better subs than mine and the bass seems less directional with them.

I'm in the same boat as Jakewash. I have m22s and QS8s with a cheap sub and am very happy (sure I’d like a better sub but something had to be cut in the budget... for now). Whether it's stereo or HT I’m extremely impressed with what I could afford and managed to put together (pats himself on the back). That said, it is possible that I do not have a 'golden' ear and am just inexperienced in this realm.

jr

You'll be shocked when you get a new sub. It makes a really big difference. In both music and movies. Start saving those pennies!

Yeah the QS4's are good...

Personally I fill my room with M60's/VP150/QS4's and a SVS PB2-ISD, and my reciever is 120wpc at 8 Ohmns and 160wpc at 6 Ohmns (my VP150 loves it).

And my M60's are bi-amped at 240wpc

Yay...I'm such a nerd.