I am planning on upgrading the 3 front speakers in my home theater, which are Mirage M-490's. What Axiom speakers would you generally consider to be equivalent to these?

My home theater is in the front half of a long room. The front half is the living room (where the home theater is), and the back half is a dining room. It is 12'W x 16'D, even though it extends to 32' if you count the dining room. It could be argued that the speakers need to cover all 32', but I am happy if it properly handles the 16'. Ceiling is 8'.

I use it only for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD concerts and movies, never for CD's. I recently upgraded my systems so I can utilize the lossless audio (TrueHD, PCM and DTS-HD/MA), which is the reason why I want to upgrade the speakers. AVR is the Yamaha RX-V 661. Subwoofer is the Mirage PS-12-90, which I may also upgrade depending on budget. My rears are in-ceiling, so I won't touch those.

I have decided to not bother with a dedicated center channel, and instead go with 3 identical front speakers. Since I am using a front projection system, I can use any speakers as long as they are no taller than 38". There is 2' of clearance behind the center channel because of the bay window, but I would like the left/right to be fairly close to the side and back walls.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Welcome and upgrades are always fun!!

I guess I am a bit confused. You mention that you want to upgrade, but then ask for an equivalent speaker recommendation.

Let's try this. Since the M-490 is a bookshelf speaker, the Axiom (equivalent) sweet spot for your size room is the M22. The 38" height question doesn't come into play because they are around 19" and you will control the height of your speaker with the stand you use.

If you are looking to upgrade (go from a bookshelf to a floor stander)and get into the HT realm, then the M60 is a great choice. Sonically excellent. fits your room and also 37.5" tall.

GC, welcome. As Ray pointed out, the M60s meet your size limitation. You're correct that using a projection screen with room beneath it gives you an opportunity to set up the ideal of three identical vertical speakers across the front. M60s would serve excellently in this use.

This way I can use the next model up as my starting point. For example, if the M22 is equivalent, then I should start my research with the M50.

Even though the Mirage M-490 is officially classified as a bookshelf, it is quite a bit larger than the M22 v2 (1,985 cubic inches vs 1,156), and has an 8" woofer. At the time I bought it 10 years ago it was considered a very good speaker. I want to make sure that if I upgrade, I will hear a noticeable improvement.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far.

Personally, although I have never heard M50s, I think if I were upgrading I'd make the jump up a couple of steps to M60s. If you are going to spend money on new speakers, you should come out of it felling like you made a real investment in sound quality.

Just my thought, you didn't mention budget so I'm just surmising.

OK, now I understand!

I'll go with murph here. The M50 is a nice speaker, but the M60 is a nice step upward and may satisfy your needs for a longer period. It's a little more forward than the M50, but it is also going to give you "more" audio.

I vote M60 all the way, I would say go M80 but they are 2" too tall..

Curious as to why why you say never cds?

I am not sure why, but for the last 15 years or so, I lost interest in listening to music. I very much enjoy concert DVDs and movies, but not music. I am spending just as much if not more than I used to, but it has been on the home theater. I only listen to a few CDs in the car.

GC, consider expanding your musical horizons. There's a whole world of thrilling and/or beautiful classical music waiting for you out there to give a listen.

As with most of us here, I would be willing to bet once you hear how good the Axioms sound, you will be rediscovering your cds.

Your Axioms will convert you back to a music listener as well.