Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Is this setup any good?

Hi, I am on limited budget, and was thinking to expand my system gradually:
Step 1: Buy 5 speakers (fronts M50ti, center Vp100, Surrounds QS8)
Step 2: Buy subwoofer (probably EP350 or EP175)
Step 3: Buy VP150 Center, put that in front and move the VP100 as my back speaker.

Result: a 6.1 surround system

My 3 questions:
1. Will the VP100 be good in the back, or should I instead buy a QS8 and put there, alternatively perhaps two m22ti's?
2. Can I live without the sub for a while, since I have the towers in Front? I am not a bass-freak, but I will be watching movies, and would like some kind of effect
3. By buying in steps, can I possibly still get some kind of discount, even though for instance the first step is without a sub?

Thanks!

-Tom

1. I would think it would be fine.

2. You won't get amazing earth shaking effects without a sub in that configuration. Whether or not you can live with that for a while, is entirely up to you. I did so with a pair of Infiniti's for years, but they also had 12" woofers.

3. Probably not, but you'd have to talk to Amie.

Personally, If I were to do a gradual purchase, I'd go the following route. Combine steps as money allows.

Step 1: Buy fronts.
Step 2: Buy Sub
Step 3: Buy Center
Step 4: Buy surrounds
Step 5: Buy rear

And I'd devote as much money as I could to each step. But that's just me.

tomes,
keep in mind if you buy in steps, consider the Axiom Factory Outlet deals.
The blemished products have no sound defects according to Ian/Alan and are certainly discounted to a more attractive price.
I think i 'saved' myself about $400 by buying only 2 of my 5 pieces this way.

Thanks guys, you both make good points! I actually started thinking about what I should do with the fronts now..Just realized that the drivers in the mains would be 6.5" while the rest is 5.25". I will definitely keep watching the outlet page. Thanks!

Tomes, if you're going to buy in stages, I think that first you should get the best mains and surrounds you can. From the budget your suggestions indicate, this would point me toward M60s plus QS8s. Temporarily you can do without a center channel speaker and have the M60s handle the center channel in "phantom" mode. If you can buy the factory outlet M60s and QS8s presently offered, your implied budget could also fit in a M2 to be used(vertically)as a center, which is my own preference, rather than a horizontal center.

Thanks John. That is also a good idea! I like the thought of having surround effects from day 1. (seeing I will be spending a pretty big chunk of money, when you add on the price of a receiver, my wife would probably like to get surround

There's not really a standard to the rear speaker, people have used both di-pole/quad-pole or direct speakers. I think the perfered method is to use di-pole speakers. I would get the mains first, surrounds, center then sub. Possibly get M3's or M22's for the front and qs-8's at the same time. Then buy the M50's or 60's you want and move the M3's or m22's to the back. This way you get surround sound from the start, and you can go to a 7.1 setup instead of a 6.1. I've had both the vp-100 and vp-150, the vp-150 is much better sounding, I would wait and just get the 150.
I'm not sure about subs, still trying to deceide on it.

That sounds like a very good alternative as well. You guys are really helpful, I appreciate it!