Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom Epic 50/60 for new home theatre.

Hi!

After reading some fantastic reviews and hearing nothing but good things about the Axiom Epic line I'm about to make a purchase. However, before I do so I just want to explain my situation and ask for some advice on what Epic series I should purchase. Perhaps even some receiver advice as well.

First, I would have to say I'm a complete novice when it comes to audio/visual equipment. Honestly if you sat me down in front of any of these systems (Axiom or otherwise) I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The reason I'm going for Axiom is because they are Canadian, they have good customer service and the performance to price ratio seems to be the best available right now.

So, I live in an apartment and my living room space is approximately 13x20ft and carpeted (but with little in the way of furniture and wall furnishings. I do intend to move to my own place eventually so while I may not be able to use the Axioms to their full potential right now I want to get something that will last for quite some time. Obviously the system will be used for both movies and music. I listen to a lot of alternative, rock and electronic music (Underworld, Unkle, Kasabian, Afro-Celt, The Killers etc).

As for the receiver I have the opportunity to purchase a three year old Denon 1602 for $200 CDN. Given my current living situation I think this receiver would be sufficient to power the Axiom Epic 50/60 system. Once I move to my own place I can then upgrade the receiver to something better.

So based on this information what would be the recommendation? Should I purchase the Epic 50 or spend a little more and go with the 60? Am I crazy to even buy this system given my living situation? Is the receiver going to do the job for the next few years?

Thanks very much for all your advice.

Hi Rhaegar and welcome!

Although I haven't heard the M50 or M60s (I have the M40s) I'll throw out a few ideas. Like my M40s, the M50s are probably a bit more forgiving of bad recordings than the M60s. Good/bad recordings don't bother me so much when I listen with them. Having said that, though, I haven't come across many albums that are so atrociously recorded as to be unlistenable (save for the Offspring). The Killers sound just fine on both my M40s and Monitor Audio GR 10s.

According to other members here, the M60s offer that "goosepimple" factor on good recordings. They have more clarity in the midrange and therefore will reveal nuances of a well recorded album, or conversely, leave a bad recording bad.

I live in an apartment too and have become very conscious of my subwoofer. This is only a factor for movies as I don't use it for two channel music. I fear for the people who live below me if I unleash my Hsu VTF 3MkII at full blast. Putting myself in your shoes, and considering the fact that I listen to a lot more music than movies, I would spend the extra money on the M60s and surrounds and center, and save up for a sub later.

If movies are your thing, maybe the M60s and center channel and sub, and add surrounds later.

It seems to me you are trying to buy a system you will be satisfied well into the future with. My advice is spend the extra money now on less components, and build as you go. That way you will start with excellent sound, and it will only get better in time.

I'm sure others will chime in with different views (which is good, I don't pretend to know everything). Good luck!

I'm going to steal thyname's idea from another thread--skip the center (use the M60s in phantom mode) and buy surrounds. Thyname is right--surrounds really do make movie watching exciting.

I'm pretty much sold on the surrounds. Actually I was sold on the complete home theatre set. I've been told that it's not really a good idea to have a system that is half way between 2 channel and 5.1. If I drop the sub it's 5 and might not sound "correct". Assuming I could even tell that is. The centre is probably the least important piece but since I can afford it why not get it.

Honestly I could afford to spend a lot more on speakers (Epic 80 or another brand) but for my inexperienced ears I don't think I'd notice enough improvement to make it worth spending the extra money. This is especially true since I live in an apartment.

Thanks for the advice so far.

If you can afford it, go ahead and buy it now. You can live your sub off once you live in an apt. or use it moderately, until you get your own place. This is my "to buy" list:

QS8 x2
VP150
HSU VTF-3 MKII
Rotel RSX-1056 receiver or RSX-1067 if I can afford it at that time.

Note that I already have M60s, and am quite happy with them in a stereo setup with Rotel separates as below:

By all means, then, get the whole thing at once. M60s will be just fine.

It is better to get a little more than you need just in case. That will get rid of the upgraditis malady and keep ya happy for a few years. Axiom speakers are going to hold their value pretty well too, so if you want to upgrade to some more expensive/different equipment later you will get back a decent return. I always say if you are going to buy it anyway and you know it, why wait? Just buy it now and start enjoying it. Get the Epic 60 and dont worry about a few dollars here or there. In the long run you probably wont notice a few hundred dollars more you spent on your system.

Buy the best speakers you can. They will go where ever you put them. My 80s are great at high AND low power. Clarity, punch. Plenty of bass without the sub. I listen to CD's without the sub. Your receiver should work with the 4 ohm 80s and you can upgrade to a better receiver or separates later. IMHO

>>Obviously the system will be used for both movies and music. I listen to a lot of alternative, rock and electronic music (Underworld, Unkle, Kasabian, Afro-Celt, The Killers etc).

Speakers are not getting cheaper (although they are slowly improving), but electronics get better and cheaper every year. The used receiver and good speakers sounds like a good plan.

I own M40s and M60s... have never heard M50s but based on my own experiences and others comments I think you would be as happy with 50s as with 60s. The M60s have a little bit of extra clarity in the midrange but IMO that makes the most difference on jazz and classical music (or the 70s prog-rock approximation of same ) not on contemporary music. I actually prefer the M40s for a lot of modern music, particularly from less-than-perfect sources like FM radio.

I also find the mid bass just a tiny bit sweeter sounding (I don't know what to call it) on the M40s, presumably because there is no crossover between woofers and mids in that range. For your music mix I think that would make more difference to your listening pleasure than the bit of extra clarity in female vocals and acoustic guitar.

The only thing I'm not sure of is which of the two sounds better at high volumes (for your future new place). The M60 should be better but then again you have one small driver handling the midrange vs. two larger woofers. Tough call.

Personally I would go with M50s unless you expect to play REALLY LOUD in the new place and if so I would hold out for M80s.

I'm placed right in the middle hereI have a pair of M50s; but have never heard the M40s or M60s

I can do nothing but recommend the M50s....great speakers in my opinion. If a person understood the M3s(and there are tons of reviews on the M3s)then the M50s are simply a larger version of the same

In reply to:

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Honestly I could afford to spend a lot more on speakers

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Then go for the best Axiom has to offer.Get the Epic 80 system.I will tell you this you will not be dissapointed in the M80s that is for sure.Also you won't suffer from " what if " .

Welcome Rhaegar to the Axiom family, you'll love them if you get them

Randy

M60s VP150 EP350 4-Qs8's
Denon 2805
Sanyo Z2 Projector
Panasonic S97S DVD HDMI

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I'm going to go with the Epic 50 system for now. If I'm not satisfied in 30 days I can always step up although somehow I think I will be more than happy.