Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M80 is a small space, crazy idea?

Well I am tired with my current speaker setup. They are Totem DreamCatcher minus the sub. Bookshelf speakers since my room is small. Sit only approx 12FT away from the tv / speakers, is it a dumb idea to get full size speakers for the front?

Here are a few pictures:

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Driving the speakers are the Monster Power 3 Channel and 2 Channel AMP with a 55TXI Receiver. In the future I want to upgrade the 55TXI to a AVM30 to take advantage of the Balanced Output. But figure that upgrading the speakers would be better first. Also I get listener fatigue with the Dreamcatcher system, worried that the Axiom's also having a metal based tweeter will cause the same problem ;-(.

Really only two companies that I am considering Axiom and Rocket's. Figure if I should spend $3K or less that should be plenty. My huge SVS 16PCi I am keeping since it's a great sub.

What do you guy's think?

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Some will disagree but IMHO get the best speakers you can afford. With your SVS you will have a great set-up with Axiom 80s. They will be more than you need but you'll have awesome sound.

I tried the 60's before upping to 80's. I don't regret it. You won't need the sub for stereo, the 80's can stand on theri own.

You obviously bought enough amp for future buys.

Give Axioms that 30 day try. Thay will take them back if your not satisfied.

Goose, welcome. Several members here use M80s in relatively small rooms, although the M60 should be plenty. Your 12' listening distance should work well, so no, your idea isn't crazy. What does seem a bit odd is thinking of changing your excellent 55TXi for an AVM30. A balanced output will bring no advantage except in the highly unlikely circumstance that you're running cables a very long distance through an area of high interference and ordinary shielded cables aren't adequate.

I guess the only concern I see is that if your planning on using the same wall, it will be pretty cramped with M80's or M60's for that matter. Since you have a great sub, maybe consider the Axiom 22's, they are a larger bookshelf, with fabulous reviews, just ask the Axiom owners on here

I guess that is the million dollar question, do I get a bigger bookshelf or go ahead and get the M80's. Would the M80's work ok so close the right wall and with the rack behind them? Assuming that the sound would be better than the Axiom 22's? Guess what it boils down to is if the M80's do sound better than the 22's in my space and I dont spend the extra money I will be kicking myself ;-).

It's interesting that you are considering Axioms OR Rockets; speakers that have WAY different sounds!

Another speaker that may be worth a look is the M50: it "Sounds" between the M60/M80 and the Rockets.

I also don't understand the term "Listener Fatigue"

Never heard it with my M3s OR M50s.

You might have to move the left M80 to the other side of the opening (ie close to the sub). Other than that, it should work OK. It looks like your setup has a very slight angle between the couch and the TV (ie the couch is a couple of feet to the right of the TV) so this could work out really well.

The only problem with having the right hand M80 so close to the wall is that you will get lots of bass reinforcement, but you have enough depth in the room that you can probably keep them away from the back walls.

Anyways, I think it would work. Biggest concern is visually overpowering the room, although they will still be a bit smaller than the SVS (deeper but not as tall). It could work visually... what colour are you thinking about for the speakers ?

What are the differences between the M80's and something comparable from Rocket? I am hoping to bring more of a presence / fullness with upgrading to the Axiom's over the Totem's. Plus the listener fatigue is kind of a pain also ;-).

Yeah I have no problem with moving the left speaker toward the sub. Can always move the right speaker a little forward also, just might be a little weird. Plus the left speaker when not in use I can kind of hide it behind the tv if need to.

Was thinking of getting the Cherry.

Plus did I mention that big speakers have a coolness factor :-). The bonus is moving into a new house as soon as this CA bubble bursts, hehe.