I am wondering if it would simply sound wrong if you mixed a set of QS8 speakers for the side (main) surround speakers, and supplemented at pair of QS4 speakers for the rear surround to expand the sound field for Blu Ray movies with 7.1 sound.

I don't think I could afford two pairs of QS8 speakers. Would having a smaller set for the rear be problematic?

QS8s are only 157$ more a pair. I'd wait and save a few more sheckles up if you are going 7.1

Trust me, saving 10$ now will cost you 30$ later when you upgrade later and sell old gear for next to nothing. Buy what you really want. Then you never have to look back and wonder.

so is what you are saying is that the QS8 speakers blow away the QS4 by such a large amount that I would not want to use them.

I am currently going to be using some directional Energy Take5 bookshelf mini speakers for my surround. I have used them in the past and they worked pretty well. Adding in the extra 2 speakers for surround did make a difference. I know they were in no way shape or form tonally correct with the fronts, so that I don't find to be a worry. But in my experiment with 4 surround speakers, as they all were the same, it did sound alright.

But I don't know if the QS8s will sound totally different than the QS4s as I have not heard any of them.

I recently changed from a pair of QS4V3s to the new QS8V4s.

In real world listening there is very little difference in the sound produced in the surround mix.

Either model will work just fine & are very forgiving wrt placement...

TAM

No, I'm not saying they are way better or anything. I havent heard them either.

What I am getting at is you sound like you have a frankenstein system right now, as we all have had at some point. You are finally making the leap to the realm of lasting quality and synergy between components in your system. Now is the time to do it right and let your system wow you for many years to come.

Cure the upgraditis we all have suffered from at some point or other and pull the trigger on the best you can do. Then there's no regrets.

Congrats btw, its sounding like you will have a great setup.

There are no definitive answers to any question that is asked. I get that as quite often questions are about opinions that are subjective at best.

I am buying a set of M80s and a VP180 center channel speaker. For a little bit more I can pick up a QS4 and live with that for surround. I know someone is going to say, "but the QS8 is just a few dollars more than the QS4". You are correct, but its that few extra dollars that I don't have right now. If I buy the QS4 right now, and can get the 5% savings, I can just squeak it in.

Do you sacrifice getting any speakers so you can't listen to anything so you can get get a better set of surround speakers? Do you sacrifice getting a workable surround setup that you might simply enjoy as is, for the chance that a bigger speaker you can afford some time in the future might sound better? I hear it all the time to try what you have got, and if you find it lacking then look to upgrade.

But I know my end goal is to have that 7.1 movie room at home. Financially I know it is going to be a few years before I can get the sub that I want. At that time I will probably upgrade to the 7.1 side and get the extra two surround speakers. My question then makes sense as I would have a set of QS4s and would be looking to add a second set.. so would it be better to sick with a second set of QS4s or get the bigger brother and swap the QS4s position to being surround rear rather than surround (main).

exlabdriver has said from his real world experiance that it is very hard to tell the difference between the two, then the the option of getting either speakers is there.

Based on my recent experience, either model would work in any combination that you desire or can afford...

TAM

I have 3 QS8's and I haven't ever noticed any low frequency programming coming out of those speakers. Mostly just ambiance noise. The train wreck in Super 8 might be an exception, but I haven't noticed any others.

What I've noticed (or assumed) is that the low stuff in the surround mix is probably coming from my subs. There is no way that the QS models can go that low...

TAM

I ended up getting the QS8 but in black as they didn't have any cherry ones on the B-Grade list. I am getting speakers because of how the sound, not how they look. And a set of black speakers hung on the wall should not bother me one bit, even though the front speakers are a different colour.

Now I have to wait, twiddling my thumbs in anticipation for that delivery truck to arrive bringing boxes of goodies for my ears to enjoy.

In a way I kinda wish I had gotten mine unpainted so I could match them to the walls so they blend in.

I have a woodworking background, so for me, it's very simple just to mask off the speakers, or if possible, to simply disconnect them, and use a HVLP spay gun to re-paint them to any colour I would like.

But I am happy with black

So you got them B stock and got the qs8s? All the performance at the right price for you. Good thinking.

Being close to the factory, your wait shouldn't be too long. My shipments to the west coast normally have taken less than 10 days

If you use the supplied powered wall mounts like I did, I believe that you'll find them to be great gizmos...

TAM

Once it gets picked and put onto some courier truck it will get to me the following morning.. The problem however is getting them to pick the items and put them onto the dang courier truck.

Axiom does not keep significant inventory on hand, especially considering the almost limitless number of possible configurations. Even the "stock" finishes are produced in batches by model based on anticipated orders. It's not just "picking" the items; there's a pretty high likelihood that the speakers you'll be getting haven't been manufactured at the time of your order.

Matt , have you ever seen that wood panel from the 70,s that has been painted, that's what the QS would look like . No way I would ever paint over vinyl, the results would be dreadfull. Besides that they are on the wall and im just too damn lazy to do anything with them.

if you wanted to paint over them, you simply use epoxy based paint. it will stick to anything. The secret however is a really thin coat at first and allow it to cure. Then you have a good point for something to grip onto.

Another option is to scuff the vinyl and use a blond shellac and then you have some tooth for a tinted poly to work with.

Both are not the greatest idea as you can melt the adhesive that the vinyl was stuck with and it will start to peal. The epoxy is probably the better of choices as it will make a harder shell on the outside and reduce the chance of peal.

The better option is a heat gun and simply remove the vinyl all together, then use the epoxy paint. 2-3 thin coats then sand with 0000 steel wool to remove the high points and it will start to look OK.