Hi (cross post from www.audioholics.com)
Any suggestions would be most welcome! I've started my HT upgrade and have just purchased a Yami RX-V2600 - next stage is speakers. I've spent some time on this site reading posts / reviews and even taken the advice to audition speakers at the local HIFI shop.

Here is my list of wants for a Speaker Set up:
1) Due to the room config, I'm assuming 5.1 will be the best config (see pic at http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2496&d=1136672370). The room has floorboards (no carpet).
2) I am 80% TV, 15% Movies, 5% Music (mainly parties)
3) I am in Sydney Oz so I need local availability
4) I'm a "Value for Money" over "Prestige" type of guy - but can move a bit on price (see below config I'm considering)
5) From auditioning speakers I very much prefer the sound from full size fronts, a sub that is integrated (not distractive), and a crisp clear integrated front soundstage (I hate the muddied sound from my current front/centre combo)
6) Must handle the power of the V2600 (I've damaged speakers from overdriving in my old system one New Year Eve!)

Given all of that, I have been attracted to the Axiom brand but can not audition it out here in Syd. The return policy is good (has a Syd drop off) but due to not wanting to get divorced, I will be purchasing the set up over a couple of months so will not be able to test it as a complete package (the first will be the back surrounds as one of the current speakers is stuffed!).

So what do you think about the following (or other options):
- Front M60ti (don't think the V2600 will like the 400w/4ohm M80's???)
- Centre VP150 (are they going to be a good soundstage match to the fronts??)
- Surrounds QS8 (but is 400w overkill for the V2600, yet they are only $100 more than the QS4?)
- Sub EP350 (but less worried about matching this from the same MFR)

Thanks
Nathan

Link to room configuration.

Nathan, welcome. In your size room the M60s should be plenty, although the 2600 should handle the 4ohm M80s as well with no problem. Incidentally, the 400 watt maximum power rating on the M80s and QS8s isn't of any particular significance in actual use. In theory it represents the power which could be input continuously without the speakers going up in smoke(the M80s have actually been tested to over 1,000 watts), but doesn't indicate anything about the power which is really used, which is 1 watt most of the time with brief peaks possibly in the 100 watt range. So, the 2600 is well-suited for use with any of the Axiom speakers.

If you want to use a horizontal center the VP150 matches well with the M60s, but my own preference is for a vertical center, such as the M2.

Hi Nathan. Welcome! Always nice to have from folks around the globe pop in.

Taking into consideration you're viewing and listening habits (80% TV/15% movies/5% music), I think the Axiom setup you are considering would be an excellent choice. Although, I suspect, like most of us, when you start enjoying a good sound system, you'll find both your movie and music percentages will be on the increase.

The size of your room CAN be a factor in choice of speakers. I had the same configuration you propose (different sub,though) in a room 3.5m x 5.5m x 2.5m (W x L x H), open to a 3.05m' x 3.05m' by 2.5m dining area (roughly 2500 cubic feet, total) which many would consider overkill. Many others say, "in home theater there is no such thing as overkill!" So, in your room the 60s/150/8s will be terrific.

On the other hand, the size of the room is DEFINITELY a factor in choice of subwoofer. And you are correct in that it is not a necessity that the sub be from the same manufacturer as the rest of the speakers. I can't quite make out the ceiling height in your diagram. Can you give us that figure, and could you give us an idea of the size (WxLxH) of the dining area. Since your listening area is open to the dining area it becomes a factor in how much cubic feet of air your sub must be able to pressurize.

HSU, and SVS, and Velodyne are among other manufacturers that make excellent subs. I am currently using an Axiom EP500 in the room mentioned above, and I'm knocked out by it so much that I hope you'll forgive me if I recommend it. Of the 4 subwoofers I've owned (a JBL, a HSU, a Rocket, and now the Axiom) it seamlessly integrates with the rest of my system like none of the others could. It's the DSP chip, I suspect. And, it goes plenty deep enough. It's not inexpensive, and I don't know if it would fit in your budget, but I sure am impressed by it.

I've never heard the 350, so I can't really comment on it, but I'm sure it's a competent subwoofer. However, if it doesn't break the bank, I feel confident in recommending the EP500.

Again, Welcome. Hope you'll stick around a while.

I agree with Ajax's assessment of the EP500. For HT, it is a killer.

Thanks everyone (esp Ajax!). The room is 2.7m high (and the rear surrounds will be mounted just above door height). The dinning room is about 4m long. I hope the Axion's don't cost tooooo much to ship to Syd as most feedback seems pretty good.
Nathan

Well just extrapolating from the dimensions you've provided, I'd guess you have more than 3000 cubic feet of air to move. Again, I've never heard the 350, so I don't know for a certainty, but I'd guess the 350 would be alright, but the 500 would be better, if it fits your budget. If it doesn't, go with the 350 and don't worry about it.

Please keep us posted on how things go.

Thanks Ajax,

Hope to become one of the “crowd”, but the killer for me may be the postage costs to Syd, I'm waiting on a breakdown from Axiom to work out what is worth shipping out (esp for a sub) over buying other brands locally.

Out of interest, are there other brands that sound "similar" (I know this is subjective) I could/have auditioned to get an idea of what the Axioms may sound like? I have so far heard:
- 5.1 Sat Systems (B&W MT20, Focal.JM lab Sib & Co) which I was not impressed with (to me the front sound stage was lacking)
- UK Mfrs like 5.1 B&W config using DM602.5 S3 Mains, Monitor Audio config using B4 Mains, Wharfdale Diamonds etc (my overall impression was that these brands are "lighter", though I am concerned that their collective power handling specs and that they may not live through another New Years Eve part like my last set!)
- US Mfr like 5.1 Klipsch config using RF-25 Mains (these sounded “puncher”, but is their claimed 97db sensitivity real?!?!)
- Others? Yamaha / JBL / etc etc

In general, most sounded good to me, but they were all in different stores, different configs (and sometimes mixed configs with diff rears / subs etc). Most seem to be around US$750-$1,000 for a set of mains, $500-750 for rears, $250-$500 for the centre – not too dissimilar from the Axioms without shipping….

Nathan

I found the B&W 703 to be similar to the Axiom M60. The B&W was one of several I auditioned before buying Axioms.

Well it looks like shipping to Down Under will add about 25% to the cost of the config (+ another 15% on top for our local import duties and taxes - almost makes me wish I was a Yank....well not really!!!). So opinion time from the loyal Axiom users, are these speakers 25% better value than the more globally available brands????
Thanks
Nathan
(from the other end of the globe)

Sorry - Second Q. I see I can reduce the cost by 10% from the Seconds offered. Any feedback on the quality differnce with these?
Thanks again
Nathan

Nathan, you can buy from factory outlet with confidence. Most of us who've done so have had difficulty finding the slight cosmetic blemishes said to be involved. Yes, I'd say that the Axioms are at least 26% better than those other brands.

ditto.

Do a search for "outlet" here on the forums and you'll see that many people can't even find a blemish when specifically looking for it!

Thanks to all the advice. I have just ordered the:
Mains - M60Ti FO Black Oak
Centre - VP150 FO Black Oak
Surrounds - QS8 FO Black Oak

I went for the M60’s over the M80’s as I just don’t want to have any issues driving 4 ohm speakers with the Yami 2600 all the way down here in Oz (actually I’d love to play with more gear but the wife would kill me!)

I think the clincher for me the comments / reviews on the Axiom appeared to suit my preference for accurate, open and transparent sound when reviewing the likes of the Focal.JMlab Chorus series (Vs to me the closed, muddied B&W sound).

I went for the Factory Outlet options to offset some of the shipping/tax costs so now I have to wait around 10 weeks. To keep me entertained while I wait, what are some good options for Subs for this set up?
1) Axiom quoted the VP150, but are there others I should consider from makers like Velodyne?
2) Are subs like the EP500 worth “twice” the price for a set up like mine or the VP150 style quite acceptable?
3) Should I wait till I’ve received and auditioned my speakers?

Thanks Again!
An Almost Axiom Audiophile

Nathan, you'll really enjoy those Axioms and I'd think that you should set them up and listen for a while before you decide what, if any, sub that you want. You mentioned the VP150 center a couple of times as being a sub, so possibly you meant the EP350. The EP500 has of course gotten tremendous reports from listeners, but the cost and shipping charges down to you are major factors. Not knowing what you have available locally at lower cost makes it difficult to make suggestions.