OK, I'm done with meddling with things for a while! I completed my last tests last night.
For the back surrounds, I ended the tests with movies using DD-Ex or DTS6.1 (Star Wars, LOTR, Gladiator, Monsters Inc). Of the 3 combinations (Q8, M3 or QS8+M3), the only one that gave clear-enough results to pass beyond pure "impressions" (about one scenes out of three) are QS8 alone. The M3 did add some direction on moving objects, but it was frequenly more negative (attracting attention when none was needed or not doing a better-enough job than the QS8 when it was needed) than positive. But that could be just me!
Now M3 as mains: Surprising little beasts. They had a hard time making their presence felt with the rest of the 7.1 setup. I had to boost their output by +10db to restore some balance. But, in stereo, they seemed to have a good range and very descent neutrality.
And the grand finale: M83
That test was long (lots of different connection methods) and only in 5.1 since I was frequently using the back surround channels for M3 as mains. Anyhow...
I tried the M3 in two positions: 1) straight up 2) upside down so the tweeters would align. 1) was systematically bad so I pushed tests with 2) further and will only be discussing those.
The combo M80+M3 makes a "bigger" and more spacious speaker. In stereo, it adds "atmosphere", but it does lose in stage information (direction). In 5.1, the lesser direction info was a nuisance. So, as far as I am concerned, the "M83" is not a very good idea.
Conclusion of the whole two-day testing
I will stick with a "pure" EP-80/500 in 7.1 configuration. Well, amazingly enough, it seems that these Axiom folks know what they are doing after all!
Apart for a few DVD-Audio from one particular company, that setup is really, really good. And, for that special case, it is just really good. So, for one "really", I don't feel the need to good further.
My brother will be blown away by "his" new M3... once I decide to part with them.
A friend of mine will probably go with M22 (or W22) later this fall. Since he used MY setup to decide himself about Axiom, I think I can convince him to come here for some more experimentations.
That's all folks!
