I am new to this type of world with electronics. I have been doing a lot or research to date. I came across the Axiom site and have read a lot of reviews about their products. I am thinking about purchasing the 2-M80's for fronts; VP150 center; 4-QS8 for (2)side-surround and (2)back-surround; and EP500. My questions are:
(1) I seen on the forum about the EP500 having issues with it's board.(Is this a common issue; as I am looking into the Velodyne SPL-1500R as well)
(2) I have read reviews about the VP150 having issues(Don't recall exactly what it was though).
(3) It states the M80's towers impedance is 4 ohms and if my receiver will handle it. ( I just bought a Pioneer Elite SC-07 last week).
I am also looking at Paradigm systems as well. I would just like to know all the in's and out's before I make my choice of purchase. Below is what I currently have running in my home:
- Aquos Sharp 52" LCD HDTV
- Samsung BD1500P Blu-Ray player
- 2 HDTV receivers
- Monster 5100 Signature Series power centre
- XBOX 360
All help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Cheers!!

While there have been teething issues with the EP500 (it's a pretty new product), they seem to have smoothed out, and Axiom is known for its excellent customer service in this sort of matter (and pretty much all other sorts of matters!).

The VP150 is a favorite whipping boy of reviewers, for some reason, most likely because of its unorthodox design. The brain has a lot to do with what you hear...while I don't have a VP150, I have heard them and been duly impressed.

A high end receiver shouldn't have any problem handling the M80s. If it does, you can do one of 3 things:
1) return the M80s for M60s
2) return the receiver
3) add an amplifier to the mix to handle the M80s.

Just fyi, I have an older Harman/Kardon which is not top of the line, and it has no problem with the M80s.

There has been others running Pioneer Elite receivers with the M80s with great results.

EP500 was introduced in '06 so it is not that new. I am not aware of any issues with its board or any "teething issues" that it's associated with. Would anyone care to elaborate?

jlcolle, I think you will be very happy with what you are proposing (M80s/VP150, QS8s, and EP500). You would have no issues running the M80s with the Pioneer Elite SC-07. If you don't like any of your speakers, you can return them (to Taylor, Michigan if you live in the US) within 30 days. You will find that the customer service with Axiom is beyond reproach.

John

Loudspeaker wise, I've got that system and it rocks. I have had a few very minor issues with the EP500, but I've figured out how to deal with them (The low voltage fuses kept blowing with the 12v trigger from the AVR attached. I disconnected it and haven't had a problem since, so the REAL problem may be the EMO pre-pro). I don't think you'll be disappointed. I would definitely find out if your Pioneer can handle the 4 ohm load, if not a good 2 channel separate will solve the problem.

Scott

The only issues I remember seeing with the EP500 were :

- some of the early units were damaged during shipping; not sure if the solution was better packaging or getting rid of the worst couriers

- inputs were too sensitive when running balanced inputs with specific pro equipment (underlying problem seemed to be that there are two different standards for balanced signals, one around 0.775v and one around 3.0v, and the EP5xx/6xx were designed for the lower voltage)

- a few issues with ground loops, usually with cable boxes; most were fixed by settings on the EP500, a few needed an isolator to break the ground loop

That's all I remember.

4. Buy another pair of M80s and wire them in series!

mm... there's problems with wiring speakers in series. But I suppose that would be one alternative!

Welcome, that is great system you have picked out. I think the VP150 sounds great, as to the board problem with th EP500 I believe that has been resolved. However if you were to ever have a problem Axioms' customer service is outstanding.

The only problem I ever had with my EP500 was resolved when I removed the stuffed dog toy that got jammed in my port. Like any good sub, it is highly configurable and takes some time to get it just right but it's a joy once you get it tuned in.

Did you ever find out who did that, Murph?

I think he already answered :

"it is highly configurable and takes some time to get it just right but it's a joy once you get it tuned in"

Obviously the stuffed dog toy was part of the tuning procedure.

Nope, never did. I always have the cover on too unless somebody wants to see the crazy cone movement. 2 cats and a dog and mischievous nephews, anything is possible.

As a tuning tool, it's really good to make you realize that you should be happy you didn't buy a cheap sub that might vibrate and rattle like it did with the toy in there. Pre-cat toy life, it was actually one of those stuffed animals with a block of wood in it to make it sit on a shelf so it really sounded nasty.

I would like to thank you all for the posts. I have contacted Axiom and their customer service is indeed very very quick and knowledgeable. My receiver will not support the M80's as they run on 4 ohms and I can only support 6 or 8 ohms speakers so will have to downgrade to the M60's. Going to start with a 5.1 system as that is all I have the room for currently and later get the other pair of QS8 to make the 7.1 system. Looking forward to hearing all of this new equipment soon. Will definitely be back with review in the future. Again tks a bunch all for the help.

Cheers,
John

You'll still love the M60s. They're very, very good speakers. O' course, you could always exchange that receiver since you just got it last week...

T minus 9

Series I say! Series!

Hmmmmmm, I wonder if this is my problem!??!?!?! I'm running balanced inputs with my EMO pro-pro. Time to contact Axiom. I wonder if it's just as simple as a higher amp fuse???
Just checked my DMC-1 manual and... no voltage specs

Scott