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QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
#344892 04/12/11 04:16 PM
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Hey, I'm brand new to the forum. I'm about to graduate from Law School and the deal I struck with my wife was that my graduation present was going to be my dream home theater set up. I graduate in May, have set aside some hard-earned dough and I am excitedly looking forward to my new toys.


My current hodgepodge setup is a 46” Panasonic Plasma (TH-C46FD18), Panasonic Blu-Ray (DMP-BD55), Sony A/V Receiver (STR-DE985), DCM Front Tower Speakers (KX212), a cheap Sony Center Speaker (Crutchfield offered it free with the receiver), EPI side surrounds (EPI 200B), my rear surrounds are by Akai (RPM8) and the jewel is my subwoofer, a Sunfire True Subwoofer Junior.

The sub stays, no matter what, I absolutely love it. From there though, I want to pick out the right surrounds, to match a new center speaker (and eventually the height and width speakers and an extra subwoofer for an 11.2 set up). Once 3-D has settled down, the TV and Blu-Ray player will be upgraded too.

So, I am looking for your thoughts on the rear and side surrounds (and center channel speaker). I have read every review I can get my hands on and have come down to these four choices. Please talk me through Axiom’s QS8s vs. Emotiva’s ERD-1 vs. Polk’s FXi A4 vs. Paradigm's Studio ADP-590.

So far, I have heard the Paradigms and the Polks, and I liked the Paradigms more. I am setting up an Axiom home audition with for the next few weeks. My main use is for movies (95%). My current room entertainment room is 30' x 42' with hardwood floors.

Also, having read quite a few forums and reviews, most users suggest that the off-axis listening of Paradigm's center-channel is better than either Axiom's VP-150 or 180. Your thoughts on that if you can (we host larger gatherings for movie nights about four or five times a year where guests would be off-axis)

Your thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated.

Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
Senator #344894 04/12/11 04:27 PM
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Welcome.

Any way you would consider a vertical center channel?


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
Senator #344897 04/12/11 04:40 PM
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Paradigm and Axiom's were founded under the same ground breaking design from Canada's NRC, so I can say they will have a similar sound. If you've heard the Studio lineup from them, that is similar to what you will hear from Axiom.

The Qs8's, in my opinion are hard to beat in terms of surround duty. They have been around for a long time, and have a huge following, even by non Axiom owners. The 4 drivers firing all in phase is unique to Axiom.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
SirQuack #344908 04/12/11 05:22 PM
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+1 and +1 to Tom and Randy's comments.
A vertical center will take care of any off axis issues. I wish I had known that when I originally built my HT as it would have saved me a recent speaker swap from the VP150 to the M2.

Secondly, the QS8's are simply incredible surround speakers. I have an all Axiom setup with QS8's - but I also built an HT for my in-laws that is all Paradigm with the ADP-590's. I am the tech department for my in-laws grin so I have setup, calibrated and watched many movies in their HT. I can say that IMO the ADP's are great and that the QS8's are excellent. I find the QS8's are just much better at creating an enveloping surround field vs. the ADP's. Also the QS8's are amazing at placing discrete sounds where there is no speaker. For example there's one cave scene in an adventure movie my kids love and there is water dripping all around. At one point it always sounds like there's water coming from the center of our HT ceiling nowhere near the QS8's. It's weird but I find they are diffuse and discrete as they need to be. I can't explain it but it is what I find when watching movies.

Hope that helps.


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
cb919 #344911 04/12/11 06:01 PM
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Yeah, funny you mention that. A couple of days ago, I was watching "Underworld, the rise of the Lycans" on Blu, and at one point when the werewolfs are attacking the human chariots, one of them jumps on top of the roof of the chariot, and I would swear the sound comes from my ceiling, pretty impressive.


Bruno
M80s/VP180/QS8s/EP600/AVR-890
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"The problem is choice..."
Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
Senator #344912 04/12/11 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Senator
Also, having read quite a few forums and reviews, most users suggest that the off-axis listening of Paradigm's center-channel is better than either Axiom's VP-150 or 180.


Regarding this point, have people actually done direct comparisons of Paradigm vs. the 180? The 150 I can see, since it's been in the wild for a lot longer. I haven't really paid attention to people's comments on the off-axis performance of the 180, so I'm curious now.

Your system sounds like it will be great no matter what. I can't wait to see it all come together.

Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
CV #344913 04/12/11 06:08 PM
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Yeah, I haven't heard any complaints about the VP180 other than that one guy with it installed in a console.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
Ken.C #344914 04/12/11 06:11 PM
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I've been listening to music on mine solo in a vertical orientation while I work on mudding my new HT room, sounds great


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
tomtuttle #344929 04/12/11 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted By: tomtuttle
Welcome.

Any way you would consider a vertical center channel?


Hadn't thought of that, though I would be open to it. Where you place a vertically aligned center channel in relation to the screen?

Re: QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590
SirQuack #344940 04/12/11 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: Randy~P
Paradigm and Axiom's were founded under the same ground breaking design from Canada's NRC, so I can say they will have a similar sound. If you've heard the Studio lineup from them, that is similar to what you will hear from Axiom.

The Qs8's, in my opinion are hard to beat in terms of surround duty. They have been around for a long time, and have a huge following, even by non Axiom owners. The 4 drivers firing all in phase is unique to Axiom.


Yeah, the QS8s are universally raved about, so that is what drew me to the Axiom name and line. I looked at and listened to Paradigm's Studio CC-690 Center Channel and loved it, which Axiom model is the most comparable? The VP-150 or 180?

Thanks.

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