Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater MT22ti's as rear surround speakers??

I suppose this is a newbie-type question: does anyone use their bookshelf speakers for rear surround? I'm upgrading from a small Paradigm system which has the Micros as the rear channel speakers. They lack bass, especially noticable on good stereo CDs. I'm planning to buy a DVD player that can play SACD and DVD-A, so want a system that delivers well-balanced sound. According to the specs, it seems the MT22ti's score better than QS8 surrounds in terms of frequency response in the bass range. I would of course use a subwoofer, but I'm not convinced these can cover up lack of bass in the rear channels. Any experience/thoughts on this?? The rest of the system, BTW, would be VP150s and M60ti's as front channel speakers.

I'd say QS-8s for surrounds due to the quad-polar nature of the speaker.

If you are using a 5.1 system with surrounds use the QS series of speakers.

If you have a 6.1 system with a single rear speaker use a QS series speaker.

If you have a 7.1 system use QS's on the side and M22s or M2s on the rear.

jdown,

I currently am using the exact setup you are considering purchasing. I am in a situation where the QS8's were not going to work in the room config currently being used (rent house) and so I opted for the M22's as rear surrounds. I am using them in a 5.1 config with them on 28" stands. I have to say that for 5.1 music playback (non SACD or DVD-A player), they sound excellent. As for surround reproduction for movies, they throw a wide dispersion (albeit not as wide or immersive as the QS8's would I surmise) but wide nonetheless...ball shot whizzing past your head from the Patriot is rather unnerving...

From my vantage point in the sweet spot, I have been extremely impressed using them as surrounds especially coming from a set of very small direct radiators that were in a Sony HTIB speaker set. They do very well on the bass reproduction front as well. I recently have been watching standard broadcast TV using the speakers and the bass thump from Law and Order totally surrounds you. One caveat: I am using an SVS 20-39 PC + subwoofer but have it turned down especially when viewing broadcast TV.

From my own personal experience, I highly recommend them. I am planning on purchasing a set of QS8's farther down the road when we move into our own house and I invest in another HT receiver. Want to use the M22's for 5.1 music and the QS8's for surrounds and use both for 7.1.

Hope this helps some.

Regards,

WhatFurrer

Jdown

I agree with WhatFurrer. I have a 5.1 system with M60's up front with M22's as rears. The center for now is a Cerwin Vega and I do have a subwoofer. What it comes down to is preference. Do you like surround sound or direct radiating? I tried both the QS8's and the M22's, the QS8's were sent back. Dont get me wrong, the QS8's sound great but I prefer direct radiating to surround... and it was that ball shot whizzing past my head in The Patriot that caught my attention with the M22's vs. the QS8's. As far as music goes, the M60's with the M22's just ROCK.

I would suggest trying both the M22's and the QS8's and decide for yourself, which is best for you.

Good Luck,

CAV104

I was wondering this same thing. I listen to more music on my system than movie soundtracks. I like the use of rear speakers to help "fill the room" with sound. I'm not so sure that I can get that without direct radiating speakers. My "dream" system will be 7.1, so eventually I would use both the QS8 and the M22's if I decide on Axiom speakers. I want a sound that is LOUD and clear. I can distort my Infinity's way before my ears or windows give out.

I use the QS8's for DVD-A and I think they sound incredible. NO need for direct radiators with the QS8's.

The M22's do have better frequency response, though, and they are cheaper.

Tcook

I don't know what you will be using to drive your dream system but I feel confident that a combination of Axiom speakers will deliver the desired sound levels you want to achieve that are crystal clear. I hesitate to use the word "LOUD" as it could be considered offensive.

I would recommend the following: (5.1)
M60's up front
VP 150 center
M22's as rears
EP 350 sub

Order the QS8's at the same time and do a comparison, you can always send one or the other back to Axiom.

Now if your budget allows, I would recommend this: (7.1)
M80's up front
VP 150 center
M60's as rears (or, what the hell make em M80's)
EP 350 sub (2)
QS8's surround

Keep in mind that this combination should be driven by dedicated amps in the 200 WPC RMS range. Prior to doing this I would strongly recommend having a structural engineer survey your dwelling and if all is well invite the neighbors over every weekend for a kegger.

CAV104

instead of 2 EP350's, how about two SVS subs? Heck, make it 4, one for ever corner.

get a 400 watt RMS amp for each channel

Hey ravi,
How ya doing, sounds good to me but we still have to have a kegger for the neighbors.

CAV104