Well, it's finally time to upgrade my ragtag HT system. I've got my eye on the following Axiom setup:

Front M50
Center VP150
Surround QS8
Sub EP350

My first question is, is this setup overkill for a small apartment-sized living room? Would I be better off going with an M22/VP100/QS4 setup?

My next question is, what receivers would you reccommend I look at to pair with these speakers? Right now, I have a Yamaha HTTR 5440 (pretty mediocre), but I've got my eye on everything from the NAD T762 all the way up to the Denon 5803.

And one last question! If I get either of those speaker setups mentioned above, can I use them with my Yamaha 5440 (35 Watts Per Channel) until I get a better receiver? Or will I damage the speakers by running such a wimpy receiver through them?

Sorry for all the questions,

Lee

You will not damage the speakers running at 35 WPC. In fact, they will probably sound fine. Check the minimum amplifier ratings on the product pages.

And hey, go with overkill!

Looks like the minimum across the board is 10 watts. So if I go ahead and make the Axioms the first purchase in my system upgrade, will I still notice a marked improvement in sound quality, even with my old amp?

By the way, I'm currently runnung Yamaha NS-10M Studio Monitors for my mains, a Yamaha NS-AC140 Center, Yamaha NS-A325 Surrounds, and a Sony SA-WM20 Subwoofer. Like I said... pretty ragtag.

Lee, my suggestion for a small living room would be M22 mains with a vertical M2 center. The rest looks okay to me. You certainly will get significantly better sound, even using your old receiver. The recordings, speakers and listening room are the primary determinants of sound quality, not the receiver, assuming that it's operating properly. More power, and especially, more up to date features in a receiver are nice to have. I'd suggest that you consider the Pioneer 53TX and the Yamaha 1400, the major factor being that both of them have an automatic speaker and room equalization system built in, which is a significant advance and apparently the coming thing.

Thanks John!

An M2 vertical center? How come? I had thought the Axiom centers were soncially matched to the mains. I would much rather get a horizontal center, since it would be less obtrusive. Is there a big difference?

Lee,

If a horizontal center appeals to you more than a vertical one, then you can certainly stick with going for the VP150. The VP150 is an outstanding center channel. While the results from a vertical center seem to be good, the horizontal center is a necessity for many of us for various reasons. Go with what works best for you.

Lee, it would be best to have a center speaker identical to, or as similar as possible to, the main speakers. I've never heard a horizontal MTM arrangement that worked well enough. A speaker about 11 1/4" tall really isn't very obtrusive, but if a horizontal configuration is a must, the unique configuration of the VP150 is apparently a significant improvement on the MTM theme.

I will just say, I went with a Yamaha RX-V2300 for my set-up. I had a Denon, but it would not handle 4 ohm loads (which you must watch), and the QS8's are. Power wise its killer, and its options are very good. I picked it over Marantz at the time. If your looking for a music reciever I would say consider the Marantz, but for Home Theater, which I use mine for 95% of the time, it was the way to go. The Marantz and Denon did not have as many hook-ups in the rear either. I am a all fiber optic/Component video guy for everything possible! lol Yamaha was able to suport me. Have fun!! The search is half the fun!

Ohh Might add my system for comparison! lol
M22ti's front, VP150 Center, QS8's Suround, M2i sixth Channel, and EP175 Sub

Small clarification: the QS8 is a 6-ohm speaker.

Oooopss Very sorry!@ I forgot.. My original NAD speakers were the 4 ohm speakers. My bad!