Guys, I'm fixing to place my order here within the next day or two. There's just a few things I need to decide on first. The biggest being the inevitable, which finish to choose.

I'm in the process of remodeling my theater, I've been thinking about painting it black. My question is, do any of you think the Mansfield Beech would look good in an all black room?

I thought about going with black speakers at first, but no, I don't think I'd like that. Not if I'm doing my whole theater in black. I'd like to have a nice contrast and thought the Mansfield Beech would provide that.

The other finish I'm contemplating is Boston Cherry, but I'm not too sure what would be a good color to do the theater room if I go that route.

Any idea's, thoughts, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.



Sutter

I think the mansfield beech would look better in terms of contrast. Of course, it's easier for me to visualize because my M40s are in beech. Have you thought of a custom finish? The russian maple is almost the same tone as the beech with a bit more grain. With the custom samples you at least get a nice sized plaque to compare against. I would say order some samples, even the standard finish and see how they look. If you're gonna do it, do it right.

I have the Beech also.

As Sean mentioned, they might provide a nice contrast. But I think you might first want to decide if you want your speakers "visible" in the room or if you want them to disappear?

I don't have a picture yet with the speakers in the room, however, my wall behind the screen is black, and the side walls are a very dark blue. With the black grills, the speakers kind of disapear when watching movies with my projector, as they match the back wall. I would not get any other color for the grills, but that is me. The trim in our room is a lighter honey oak I believe, that matches very well to the Mansfield veneer.

Randy

Thanks guys, I haven't come to any firm conclusions just yet. Still toying with things.

On one hand, I'd like to go with Boston, on the other I'd like to go with Mansfield, and of course the wife prefers I go with Black, cause Black pretty much goes with any decor. Not that, that matters much, cause 1. I've got a dedicate theater room, and 2. Well, I'm fixing to remodel it.

I thought I'd figure out which finish I'd go with first, then let that kind of help aid me in which way I go when painting the theater.

I've owned the Mansfield Beech before, so I do know that's a very nice finish. Have yet to actually see the Bostons in person, but going off of pics I've seen from guys who have them here, they look damn sharp. So, who knows at this point. But I'll be making a decison soon, for it's the only thing that's holding me up at this point. I've already decided on which speakers I'm getting, so now it's just selecting the finish.



Sutter

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"...and of course the wife prefers I go with Black,"

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Well there you go then, black it is!

I think black would be a great choice, so would the Boston cherry though.Come to think of it the mansfield beach would look darn good too.Oh heck just close your eyes and pick one

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Well there you go then, black it is!

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Well, she preferes black, but she leaves the decision up to me. It's my theater, not hers, and she knows this. She was merely giving me her opinion. She has her own hobby, which is damn near as expensive, but we won't get into that. lol

The Wife and I celebrated our 38th aniversary on the 4th of this month.

"And of course the Wife prefers......"


.....and We Also Have Black.

(but we got 'em Beats the heck out of just the Boston Cherry plaque I could have ordered)

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It's my theater, not hers, and she knows this.

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Uh huh, we know Sutter .... we know. Yea, uh huh.

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I think black would be a great choice, so would the Boston cherry though.Come to think of it the mansfield beach would look darn good too.Oh heck just close your eyes and pick one

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Kind of like pin the tail on the speakers eh! lol

Print off pics of all three, put on a blind fold, then whichever one gets pinned wins. lmao

Seriously though, I think I'm just going to put some serious thought into what color I want to paint my theater, which theme I want to follow/go with, then get whichever finish that will match it best. Might be easier that way, I dunno.

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The Wife and I celebrated our 38th aniversary on the 4th of this month.

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Whoa, I didn't know people lived that long ... er, ummm I mean 'Happy Anniversary Rich!!'

It's his room because the wife says it is

Yeah,...38 years alright Rick. Thanx(dosen't seem that long)

We firmly believe in compromiseWhen it comes to style, she has me beaten.

She picks the style.....or I get the beatin'

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When it comes to style, she has me beaten

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LOL, I was just thinking 'Whenever it comes to beating, my wife has style.' Then I read you last line!

Sometimes a beating ain't *so* bad though.

Nope.....not bad at all

Just takes a bit of practice










and we been practicin' for a long, long, long time
Rich.

Ok guys, time to bring everyone up to speed a bit. Although the finish has not yet been decided on officially, a decision will be made and my order placed come Monday. I'll be ording one pair of M80's, one pair of QS8's, and after much thought, the VP150.

I might add on one pair of QS4's to that order and go ahead and make the jump up to a 7.1 system. That'll all depend on what finish I decide to go with.

Right now it's looking as if I'm going to order through the custom shop. I plan on getting the High Gloss Birdseye Maple. If I do, I will not be adding the QS4's to the order, due to what that finish is going to cost me.

If I decide to pass on the custom finish, then it's still up in the air. Could be Mansfield Beech, Boston, or Black. Probably make that decision at the last minute. The way I look at it, they're all very nice finishes, and I'd be happy with any of them.

Regardless of what finish I choose, I will be going with Black Grills.



Sutter

Sutter;
Two quick questions: Why mix and match QS4s with QS8s, and, financial situation aside, why not order it all at once when there's a "cap" on the custom finish price of a complete system?

Mark, I don't think I'm going to go after a custom finish, so it isn't any issue anymore. Had I gone with the custom finish, I was going to go with one pair of 8's and one pair of 4's simply because it was going to cost me an extra $1000 to go with a custom finish.

However, after giving it a lot of thought, I decided to against going with a custom finish. Based off the few different designs I have for remodeling my theater room, Black, Boston, or Mansfield Beech, either of those finishes will look absolutely great.

Not sure I'll make the 7.1 jump or not, but since I'm not going with a custom finish, I'll get two pair of QS8's if I do.

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But I think you might first want to decide if you want your speakers "visible" in the room or if you want them to disappear?

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That's one of the toughest things I've been struggling with. I've asked myself that question a million times over. My problem is the answer, for on one hand I do, and on the other I don't.

I don't know. I'm tired of dwelling on it without very little help or guidence. I think I'm just going to call, order, and when they ask what finish, I'll just make a decision then and make the best with whichever I decide on.



Sutter

Well, I don't know if this helps, but I like to see what I spent my money on. I can certainly see the benefit of wanting the speakers to disappear, but I like looking at the big hulking boxes in my room. That's just me, though.

I can relate to that bud. That's probably why my past two Axiom systems have been in Mansfield Beech.

I got to thinkin' about the question of QS4s and QS8s in the same 7.1 system; and a couple of "what ifs'" came to mind.

(Mostly thinking of the great majority of 5.1 mixes here)

Since the rear surrounds in a 7.1 are mounted on the rear wall and sometimes the listening seats are required to be very near(or touching)said rear wall, perhaps a smaller set of speakers mounted there could be an advantage.

Another thought: If there is a slight difference in sound between the 4s and 8s, would that help in adding an increased feeling of spaciousness by separating the effects(such as boids choippin' and crickets chirpin' which may have a slightly different sonic signature thru each different speaker type)and keep these individual sounds from filling such a large quadrant all at once? They would still be diffused, but more, perhaps, "over there, somewhere" than all around back thisaway.







understanding that there would be crossover questions, and probably a few other hurdles, but,...what if?...

Order placed!

Now the wait begins.



Sutter

The anticipation is always fun.

Tracking the shipping

Calling in sick on arrival day. . .

Spending absurd amounts of time thinking about how cool the new system will be.

I just wanted to post on here for Sutter. It's Jon Liu from the HTS!

So I'm back to the axiom forums!

Hey buddy, it's great to see ya! Welcome back my friend.



Sutter

Welcome back, Jon!

thanks guys, it's great to be back here!