The room is 15x20 with a 15 foot ceiling. I have the VP150 center. I have a sub (which will later be upgraded) I have surrounds (but will later be upgraded). I'm debating between receivers (Yamaha 2400, Pioneer 53tx, Harman Kardon 7200 and the NAD 762 - all are priced very similar). All these receivers (to my knowledge) can handle 4 ohm loads. So my question is, and here's where you come in. M60s or M80s? The receiver I'll get in the next few weeks, but want to place an order today for the speakers (getting the factory seconds). So again 60s or 80s? Thanks...and GO!

This will be a nice audience participation, but I would urge you to give Axiom a call and have a discussion with them about your room. They will also ask additional questions that you haven't addressed here (openings to other rooms, size of other rooms, how far apart will the speakers be, how close to the listening position, hardwood or carpet and the like). While you will get a great number of inputs to your questions, the folks who actually make the speakers should be leaned on heavily for their expertise. Just a thought.

Hardwood floors. But there's a floor rug as well. It's a very open space. The ceiling opens to a balcony in the back of the room...albeit 20 feet back. I've already talked with Axiom. But this is nearly a grand either way I go...so I'm looking for more voices

...and one more thing. This will be heavily used for Home Theater. Music yes, but for me, HT.

How far away from them will you be seated?

Apx. 12 feet.

Well, looks like you & me Toy!!! The M60s should do fine. However, sounds like you have the space for the M80s to work, assuming you will be sitting 12' or so back from them. You are sure to have a reciever to handle drive 4 ohms. You can't make a mistake with either choice. If the $$ don't matter and the Axiom folks didn't try to get you into the M60s for some reason, go for the M80s. Bigger will yield more soundstage and depth.

The other consideration - if you go with the M60s, you would save $300. Also, more money frees up with the M60s because you would not need to get a receiver that can drive 4 ohms. The savings lets you get more stuff from your shopping list earlier.

I believe you have already made up your mind to grab the M80s based on your exuberance . The important things here, within your budget, are to 1) get whatever makes you happy and 2) make sure you get the items that completely avoid the ".... what if I had just spent a little more" or "I wonder how those M80s would have sounded?". In a democracy, everyone should spend 'til they are happy!

Get the M80s. I have and love M60s, but in that room, all new receiver, go for it. My vote.

With 12' of space...yeah, why not? Grab those M80's!

I love my M80s also. Why not consider an Outlaw 950 pre/pro and a used or demo amp. The Parasound HCA-855a can be had on ebay for about $300. I bought mine as a dealer demo. It has plenty of power for the M80s, VP-150 and QS-8s. Puts out an honest 90X5 into 8 ohms, and about 130X5 into 4 ohms, all channels driven 20-20k. For under $1200 you can have a great pre/pro and as much real world power as receivers in the same price range.

I haven't heard the M80s, but I can't imagine needing 2 of those crystal clear titanium tweeters on each speaker. Everyone knows these speakers need room to breathe - in particular I think the tweeters need room to breathe. If the M80s are no "brighter" than the M60s then go for it, but with hardwood floors and 15' of drywall on all sides... I'd play it safe and go with M60s and the most monstrous sub SVS makes.

"I'd play it safe and go with M60s and the most monstrous sub SVS makes."

Definitely. The M80s seem to be geared for high end stereo systems for listening to music predominantly, if not exclusively. Although it can handle any bass you'd encounter listening to music, you'd still need a subwoofer for HT. So get a ridiculously big one. The M60s paired with that will be second to none. And make sure you have enough in the budget for a pair of QS8s.

My vote...

Get the NAD reciever and the M80's

Just to toss in the mix...I have a 12" JBL sub. It really is quite powerful, though I've not heard the SVS or HSU that seems to be the favorite of the forum dwellers. So with that in the mix. I always have intended to have a sub crossed over with the 60s or 80s. I find it imperative for Dolby Digital track or DTS track which uses a sub on a specific channel (that being the .1 in a 5.1 or 6.1 system). So...now you know. So to add one more question to the mix (aside from 60s or 80s), does anyone feel I'll really need to replace or supplement my system with one of the HSU or SVS? Thanks for all the replies! I'll be placing an order likely tomorrow. I'm allowing time for enough feedback

well i doubt the JBL sub can keep up with the axioms, if it sounds anything like the other JBL products ive heard it will just muddy up the whole thing. For movies though it would probbly be ok since what you need in a movie is more boom then clean bass.

I have to agree with Haoleb here. My friend has a 12" JBL sub and, while it definitely packs a HUGE punch (and is therefore awesome for movies -- and hip-hop), it doesn't have the finesse that I like to hear with music.

if your going to 20 feet back go for the m80s,the volume drops quite a bit as you get further away-if they are too loud you can always turn them down.....................if youre soft........ron

My room is 17x22 with 13 foot ceilings. I recently upgraded to the HK 7200, VP150, M60's, QS8 surrounds, kept my M&K sub. I also looked at the NAD and the Yamaha-2400, but the HK gave the most bang for the buck (paid $800.00 listed for $1900.00) made the choice easier. I have had my system for approximately 6 weeks and thus far I am very pleased, the axiom ensemble sounds great and the M60's play loud and clear. As far as the receiver the only negative thing is the physical size it's a monster and generates a fair amount of heat,so you'll want to make sure that your audio rack can accomodate the larg size and heat generation. I have to admit at first I wasn't crazy about the sound, but as I tweeked and continue to do so, the sound seems to get better and better. I previously had an older Yamaha RX-V890 with Boston Acoustic Speakers. The HK/Axiom marriage provides a more natural sound stage for stereo and the home theater aspect sounds great too.

Lonnie - welcome to happy listening land!!! Do you find yourself spending more time with your CDs than you used to? Is the sound coming off the DVDs during a movie (especially through the Qs) special enough? Sounds like you got a great deal on the HK. Matched with the price of the speakers, you have got to be a happy guy.

I don't know. It was maybe something in his voice...but twirly22 really struck a chord in me when he said get the M60s and go with the most monsterous sub SVS makes. That idea just made me leap with wonderment. I have a sub...but a big fatty upgrade of a subwoofer...makes me tingle. So...I placed an order for the M60s and QS8s (both on factory seconds so I'll get them when they're available). And then...save up for the SVS PB2-Plus (oh the though )! Thanks everyone for your participation. If you have any additional thoughts...please feel free to lay them down!

You're welcome, but I was just seconding BigWill's suggestion. Please let us know how it works out. What's next? A front projector?