http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicgrandmasterw_500gallery.html#

I am thinking of purchasing the above 7.1 Epic Grandmaster in-wall/on-wall system. Can anyone provide feedback as to its performance for TV, movies, and music? What kind of sound quality can I expect for the price? It will be used in a family room that is 19X22X9 and driven by a Pioneer Elite 82TXS. Also, I am thinking of getting a SVS PB-12 NSD/2 instead of the Axiom 500 sub that comes with the system. Your advice is appreciated.

I'll get this started, hopefully others will jump in. I guess the first point is that Axiom's in-wall speakers seem to sound just as good as their regular speakers, which means the sound quality is extremely good. I have not heard W22s or W150s, but I have heard W2s a/b'ed against M2s and the only discernable difference was a tiny bit less bass extension in the W2s due to the smaller enclosure volume -- which is a non-issue if you have a sub. The QS8s are considered to be one of the best surround speakers available, period.

The sound quality will be excellent. Value-wise you do pay a premium for the in-wall design, but you do get a lot of advantages. I have not researched in-wall speakers as much as freestanding ones, but the price seems reasonable on the Axioms as long as you are comparing to other high quality speakers. You can get smaller, less accurate speakers (which would probably not satisfy in your room) for less, of course.

If you are looking for negatives, the main point to consider is that in your room size the 22s are big enough to handle both movies and music at normal volumes and sound great, but they are a bit small if you want to play very loud music in stereo. I stress stereo. As long as you use one of the receiver modes to expand the music signal out to all of the speakers rather than just the mains, I think the system will play as loudly as you want.

You will need to run the SVS with one port plugged (what they call "20 hz mode") to get the same kind of bass extension as the EP500, but early reviews seem to think the NSDs are quite good. I don't know how the two will compare for movies (the 500 comparisons I have seen were against a single woofer Ultra, not a dual woofer ISD/NSD), but for music the EP500 would probably be a bit tighter. That's a big room, so going with a big sub is definitely a real good idea.

That's all I know. Anyone else ?

Not me, John. You covered all the bases beautifully. So, my response will be limited to a few additional comments on the subwoofer question.

There is more to subwoofer performance than how low and loud it will play. There is a qualitative aspect to a subwoofer's sound which is very difficult to quantify.

I participated in a blind listening session involving an EP500 and an SVS PB12 Ultra (I forget if it was the Ultra or the Ultra2), which, being a more expensive sub than the one you are considering, one may assume is a superior performer. All six participants marginally preferred the Axiom, and at least 3 of them were SVS owners. Does that mean that the Axiom is a "better" sounding sub than the SVS? On that day, in that room, those six people thought so. But that doesn't mean, had you been there, you would have felt the same, nor that you would prefer the Axiom in your home.

Truthfully, both subs are good products, but I feel the Axiom "sounds better," and has a smoother frequency response. I have since become an Axiom EP500 owner, so you might want to factor that bias into my comments.

Welcome to the forum, and good hunting.

Re: In-wall/on-wall Speakers


Thanks Ajax and Bridgman! The main reason I am probably going with the SVS PB-12 NSD2 is because I can get a brand new on for $720 as compared to the $1200 for the EP 500. While this might not be the best reason I must work within a budget and the system will be used more for movies and TV. Most of the music will probably end up as background music. Sorry I did not post that earlier. I am still interested in what others have to say about the W22's and the W150. Thanks for your help.

Yep, 720 is a good price for an NSD/2. Aren't they normally 899+shipping ?

You are correct. I won a 20% off coupon in a Audioholics forum contest.

Ok, I have had very little feedback about the sound I will get from the in/on wall axioms. Now I am considering going with 60's as the fronts. Any feeback on the in/on walls would help.

Thanks!

minnichs, my guess the lack of response on the in wall speakers is due to the fact that the majority of us on the board use either bookshelfs or floorstanding speakers. I have heard that the in walls do sound great, although IMHO with a room s large as yours the M60's may be your best choice.

There are a few people that have the architecture series and are very happy with the performance. As John mentioned above, with a sub they might be fine. That is a pretty good sized room, so you might want to consider the 50's, 60's, or 80's. My room is 900 Sq Ft and the 60's are great mated with the EP500.

Well i cann tell you that you'll enjoy your SVS if you get one. I'm a SVS PB12-2 Plus owner myself and have been quite happy with it, it's an absolute tank and I'm barely opening it up in my room, I almost wish I had a bigger room for it

- D