Howdy folks, I'm putting together my HT on paper and really like the QS8's, VP150 and the EP500. I'm just going back and forth on the fronts. M50's or M22's??? It will be in a dedicated theater room about 2200 cubic ft. Has anyone heard the difference between to 2 sets? Any other ideas? Thanks for the input!!!

If your room has a lot of reflective surfaces like hardwood floors and is untreated, the M50's might be the better option because they are bit less revealing than the M22, otherwise I think the overwhelming opinion would be to go with the M22 as your mains and save some money in the process. Either speaker is suited and capable for your room size.

Add to that, the M22s share the same 5.25" drivers that are in common between the VP150 and QS8s. While the M50 uses a different 6.5" woofer. So the timbre may be slightly different across the front if combining the M50 with the VP150.

I've never heard the m50s, but I'm guessing they might do a little better in the lower frequencies because of the larger cabinet.

They definitely do do better in the lower frequencies.

You might be able to cross the M50's a bit lower than 80hz while the M22 would be best crossed higher at 80hz but since you are going to be using a capable subwoofer like the EP500 that little bit of extension you would gain with the M50 is not really that important. The EP500 fills that void.

Since you're looking at a very capable sub in the EP500, I would vote for the M22's. I've not heard the M50's but I would also think that the M22's are a better match for the VP150 for the reason Chris mentioned.

Having never heard either and only going by others reviews and comments around here in the past I vote for the m22s

I own both, but my M50s are pretty old (they're v1s), and my M22s are currently living with my parents. That said, M22s have given me more Wow moments than my M50s. The M50v3s may be much improved, though.

My turn, my turn...

I would spend the extra $200 and get the M60 instead.

Nicely done, CatBrat!

Lex, I've never heard the M50s, but for almost four years now I've enjoyed the EP500 extending the bass on my eight year old M22s and making the combination a superb full-range system. I'd highly recommend the M22s plus EP500 to you as well.

I never heard the M50s, but I onwn both M80s and M22s. When I used the M22s (for test) in my may setup instead of M80s, I did not notice any difference for movies, only for music. I love the M22s and recommend them all the time to my friends. They're very cheap for the high quality sound they produce. I still prefer the M80s all around, but the M22s have carved their name on my heart.

Sounds painful.

+1

CatBrat ... yes I've considered the M60's. When I posted my question a while back on M60's vs M22's, the general response was since the EP500 was able extend as far as it does, the M22's offered more mid-range with the dual 5.25's instead of the single mid driver in the M60's. Granted the M60's have 2 woofer driver's, but I'll have the EP500 to take care of the lower frequency range. Wow, everything I've read - especially from people who've had experience with e M22's, just absolutely rave about them. Hmmmm, I think I'll pull the trigger on the M22's then. I can always upgrage in the future if I choose to. I plan on powering the system with a Denon 2311/4310.

Hello,
Looks good. Any reason why you are not considering another M22 for the center vs the VP150?
Out of curiosity, what receiver / processor are you using?

Good luck with system
Tony

Tony, I had not really thought of using an additional M22 as the center. Would the sound be that much different? I will definitely leave it open as an option. As far as receiver: I'm looking at the Denon 4310 (or 2311 possibly).

Matching speakers always sound more alike than different ones.

If you have room to place a vertical M22 above or below your screen, that would be recommended over the VP150.

If you only have room to lay the M22 on its side, then the VP150 will work better.

Horizontal centers are a design compromise to allow placement of the speaker in limited vertical space. If your space isn't limited, don't compromise.

Interesting on the 3rd M22 as the center. space shouldn't be an issue as i plan to place the fronts, center and sub behind the perforated screen so i can maximize display size.

I'm designing a perforated screen setup in a downstairs room. What screen are you going with? I've got my eye on one right now, but the price runs a little high at 3 grand. It is the weave instead of the perforations and that drives the cost up. The advantage of it is it attenuates 2 db across all frequencys so no sound quality is lost.

I'll be building my own screen - just haven't decided on the material yet.

I was going to suggest using an M3 or dual M3's(one above and one below the display) as a center to match up to the M50's.

If the M60's were possible why not the M80s and have the best midrange out of the M22 and even better bass response? The M22 sub combo lacks a little upper bass feel that the M80s bring to the equation. I went this very same route, started with M22, ordered M60s found the M60s lacking a little in the midrange compared to the M22 and then went for the M80s after some more comparison listening.

My thoughts exactly. That's why I'm planning on 3 M80 in-cabinet behind an acoustically transparent screen. The only problem is I need to go with an 8 foot screen (2.35:1) to completely hide the speakers, otherwise I'd have to let the ports drop down in sight below the screen. (Possibly covered with black cloth in a frame).
The only other drawback is the cost. About $2100 for 3 M80's, but a little waiting and getting a theater later rather than sooner will be well worth the wait.

Everyone has problems. Some problems are better to have than others. I wish my only Home Theatre problem was that I *had* to go with an 8' screen!



snazzed

Let me rephrase that. One of the many problems that I have....

Well folks, I just measured my space downstairs and I mis-spoke earlier. The room is actually 19'x19'x8' at the smallest (could go 20'x19'x9' - but I would like to sound proof it a little bit). So, having said that, are the M22's too small for the fronts and center? The HT wizard on this site recommends M60's at the very least. I may have to reconsider my design. I do want plenty of low end power, so the Ep600 or even Ep800 I will now look at again.

Personally, I would go with whatever you can afford and will fit. The M80's will sound better than the M60's.
The M60's will sound better than the M22's.
The M22's will sound better than the M2's.

etc...

The M3's and the M50's are probably in the same league, with diminished mid-range and a bass hump.

Do you think the M50s have a bass hump ? My understanding was that they were pretty flat at the low end, ie more like an M60 than an M3.

IIRC there is a response chart on the Axiom web site but I'm having trouble getting into the site right now.

M50 graph....

Ok. M50 has no bass hump. I was thinking from just the speaker arrangement that it must of had one.

No hump, but there is a dip.

Looks like a dip from 6k to 10k, which might sound about the same as the M3 hump. I dunno.

Are you calling M50s humpless dippers?

No. I'm telling people not to hump the dips.

There's an 80s pop-rap song in here somewhere....

The OP is looking for a 50s pop-rap song or a 22s one.

Yeah, i guess it all comes down to what we all can afford. I just wish I could hear the different configurations before I bought them. I know they have a free trial period, but still.

Did you check the auditioning thread to see if someone is near you?

Mark, thanks for that link. very interesting.

We are all always happy to audition our Axiom's for those interested.

I PM'd the guy listed mear me. Hopefully an audition will work out.

Look the person up and make sure they're a regular here. Sometimes people sign up, then drift off the boards....

No blinking envelope so it wasn't me