Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners speakers and sub -- system advice

Hi all, I'm not yet an Axiom owner -- but I hope to be soon! In the meantime, I'd like to get your advice about my speaker and sub choices. I'm moving soon to a new apt, and the HT/living room will be about 15x15, with ceramic tile floors and concrete/drywall walls. One sliding door open to the outside, and a small hallway leading to the rest of the apt. The apt is one half of a duplex, so I'm sharing one wall with another apartment.

I'll be driving the system with a Yamaha RX-V2600. I want the M22s for the fronts, but it's everything else that I can't quite decide on: QS4 or 8s, VP100 or 150, EP175 or 350.....

Given the small size of the room and the fact that I don't want to unduly annoy my neighbor and shake rattle and roll their part of the duplex (well, not too much anyway....), my concern is buying "too much" system. At the same time, I want really amazing sound. I've got to get the system before I move, and unfortunately I won't have the chance to demo it in the new apt/room before making a final decision.

Anyway, I'd like to get your thoughts and input - thanks for the help!

Just a few comments to kick off the discussion :

1. Other than the subwoofer, your speaker choices aren't really going to have much effect on disturbing your neighbor other than giving you the ABILITY to play louder (and more disturbingly) if you choose

2. Regarding subwoofers, the issue is that a sub which can play deeper (ie lower frequencies) will play those lower frequencies more loudly than a lesser sub will, even when you are playing both systems at the same apparent volume. You can turn the level of the sub down a bit relative to the other speakers, which IMO is more satisfying overall than a lesser sub turned up to the right loudness. With a better sub, you can turn the level back up and get the best of both worlds when your neighbor is out or during the early evening when you don't have to worry so much about noise.

3. Despite what you might think from playing with the HT wizard, the only real difference between QS4 and QS8 is reportedly the QS8's ability to play more loudly. Having said that, I went with QS8s anyways "just in case" they were matched better to the M2s (in my case) by virtue of having the same drivers.

4. Ditto for VP100 vs. VP150 -- if you have a larger room where you will need more sound coming out, the VP150 is felt to be much superior to the VP100. In a smaller room, they are apparently almost impossible to tell apart. I went with VP100 and have been real happy with it.

Based on my prejudices, I guess I would go with QS8s, VP100 and EP350, although by every account the QS4s and the EP175 should both be just fine for your room.

If you were going to be mounting the QSs on the side walls (or back walls a good distance from the listening position) I would spring for the QS8s.

I should make it clear that I have never had a chance to listen seriously to either EP175 or EP350 but based on specs the EP350 upgrade seems like a bargain.

Your room is going to be fairly "live" (ie reflective) so leave some money for "room treatments" -- depending on your domestic arrangements this might be spiffy-looking foam panels or partner-friendly wall hangings & rugs.

Heck of a good "kickoff" John. I have nothing to add to your excellent post.

I believe John is right on the mark!

Ok, ok. My system is goofy. I know, M50s and M3s crossed at 60 set to large singles me out as somewhat excentric. Yup; first to admit it.

I also use a sealed sub, with a 3db down point about the same as the EP175.(much bigger amp, though )

I also live in an area that has been living with a "Sub Wars" truce for more than the last two years that we've been living here.

Bass for music is darn near perfect; flat right into the mains!! But movie explosions are limited to shaking the floors and chairs and leaving the stuff on the shelves alone. We have the bass up to to the point where explosions are suitably realistic,....And the neighbors NEVER complain!!!

Wah-Hoo!!

So I wish for world peace, I vote for the 175.

The rest of the stuff is good, it's good.
Rich.

Good point -- for the same price as an M22 system with one of the upgrades you are considering you could get M50 mains, M3 center, QS4 surrounds and an EP175

We have more in common than I remembered! I also have a sealed sub!

And since it took me 4 tries to spell "sealed" correctly, I'm off to bed.

Yeah Ken, it's taken me three tries to get my sub the way it is, but I may want to go for a forth myself!

(my biggest problem when I'm sleepy, and sometimes when I'm not, is hitting the darn "caps lock" key and not noticing it till the entire paragraph is completed!) Phooie! Yeah, after all these years I still look at the keyboard when I type.

May do a resistor change in my plate amp to bring my 3db down point UP about 3db.

If the neighbors complain; I can put it back.

And John; although looking at my post it dosen't look like it, my "good, it's good" comment was in reference to your recomendations seconded by all! And me too!!
Rich.

The only thing that I would change is recommend the VP-150. It never ceases to amaze me how much of the "sound" comes out of the center and not the fronts. I am not surprised to see some posts on this board discussing the "need" for a better center speaker.