Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Got em!

I got my M80/VP150/QS8 package in yesterday - one of my QS8's has a QS4 label/serial number on the back of it. Maybe it'll be a collector's item someday...:P

Anyway, I haven't had much time to do critical listening yet, but after a few minutes of breaking in my ears/brain to the new sound, I like it much better than my Polk Rt2000p's. This isn't a critical comparison by any means and I didn't do any A/B testing, just an opinion based on music that I have listened to a LOT on those Polks for the past 3 years.

One thing I did notice is that the M80's, in my room, are very sensitive to positioning. A small 5 degree toe in totally changed the imaging, where large toe in's on my Polks did relatively little.

I'm in process of mounting the QS8's and already pulled my first boneheaded move - I cut a hole for a junction box for the speaker wire about 3 feet above a junction box with 3 light switches in it so I couldn't fish tape down to the floor. Today, I'm going to test my drywall taping, mudding and sanding skills....:P

So I haven't tested any movies yet and haven't used the VP150 much - a little TV this morning is hardly a good test. I did notice on my old system that I strained to hear dialog. (Polk CS400i for center channel). I'm not sure if this was because of the speakers, my room, or something about the speaker positioning. With this new Axiom setup though, I now have twice the number of tweeters (heh) and am hoping for some clearer dialog in movies.

Haven't seen a single flaw on the factory outlet M80ti's yet either. Biggest pain in setup (and I still don't have it right) is getting the spikes on at all the same level. The Polks had a large plastic dial attached to each spike that was accessable from the side while the speaker was standing. I had to tip over each of the M80's and try to eyeball it and so far, I'm 1 for 2 in getting them balanced.

Anyway, as I get to some more critical listening, I'll be sure to update my progress and I may do a serious A/B comparison with the Polks, although I notice the Polks are more "laid back" - or, in different words, sound like they have a carpet wrapped around them (albeit a thin carpet).

cool deal andrew.. keep working with the set-up, i am sure you will get it perfect. keep us informed on the process, and any pics would be awesome.

being that the male species are all visual, we like to 'see' what we are thinking about.. hence, porn.just ask mr. bear.

bigjohn

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....my first boneheaded move - I cut a hole for a junction box for the speaker wire about 3 feet above a junction box with 3 light switches in it....

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It is SO reassuring to find I'm not the only one who does these things. Just remember, we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. I just had to rehang a plant (drill new hole in the ceiling, spackle & paint the old hole, clean up the wallboard dust) that I had hung so that it leaned against one of my M60s. DUH!

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I did notice on my old system that I strained to hear dialog.

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Had the same problem with my old Cambridge Soundworks center. My VP150 fixed that. Hope it does for you, too.

Have fun setting everything up.

>>>Biggest pain in setup (and I still don't have it right) is getting the spikes on at all the same level.<<<

Uh oh, some of my speakers will be sitting on tables and some on a ceramic tile floor, nothing on carpet . . . are the spikes removeable?

The spikes are removable and the speakers also come with little flat rubber feet as well for non-carpet surfaces.

They are removable. The speakers come with spikes or feet and you can use your choice. I have m60s on hardwood and am using the feet, had no problems with them.

I put 12 small holes in my wall when I tried wall mounting my M2i's. Worst part is, they were only up there for a couple months, and then I moved them to the game room. We all do dumb things.

OK....sorry about the delay. I got everything set up, had a buddy move around the M80's a bit and found out they're *very* sensitive to placement. My SPL curve from 20Hz to 100Hz is awesome thanks to the DEQ2496. Bass starts out high at 20Hz and slopes downward about 5dB to 40Hz where it levels off very straight. Sort of a "house curve".

Here are the all important pictures of the M80ti, VP150 and QS8's along with my dual SVS 20-39PCi's

Front of the setup from the left


Front of the setup from the right


The right M80 and SVS 20-39PCi


The left M80 and SVS 20-39PCi


VP150 on Sanus audio furniture. Note the rat's nest in back


VP150 under the 7' by 5' screen for the Infocus X1


Closeup of the VP150 and audio hardware


Closeup of Sherbourn 5/1500A and Behringer DEQ2496


Right QS8 - the picture really shows where I b0rked the hole for the first junction box and drywall taped and patched it up. I haven't sanded, mudded and painted yet


Left QS8


Infocus X1 about 14' back from the 7' by 5' screen

OK! That does it! I'm moving in this weekend. Just think how nice "our" system will sound with "our" M80s and my M60s. Very, VERY, nice Andrew. Thanks for the pics.

Hey guys, what is the best way to fix a drool-drenched keyboard? It's kind of urgent, now.

Spectacular, Andrew. Inspiring, even. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes on many happy hours sitting on your butt in that glorious space.