Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater What to upgrade next?

Last fall I replaced my front three speakers with a VP-150 and M22Ti's. My sub is my 12" 150 watt Atlantic Technology 262 PBM. My rears are the Atlantic Technology 254.1 which have 1/2" tweeters and 4" main drivers.

One logical upgrade is going to QS-8's for surround speakers but given how little they are used, maybe I won't see much improvement? Maybe a better sub will make a more noticeable improvement for the overall movie watching experience? The final thought is to upgrade the fronts to M60's. I think they go lower than the M22's and may give me more mid range punch, without the discomfort I seem to get from very low LFE's that the subwoofer normally reproduces.

So between going to M60's for fronts vs QS-8's for the rears vs. a better sub, what do folk here think would improve movie watching the most?

Greg

I see that Jack is making a new reply, so he may have beaten me to the punch, but I have 1c to throw in (not sure if it is even 2c) ...

Given that you have 22s up front, I'm thinking there will not be a big upgrade in terms of HT sound by going with the 60s, so that would be the option I would least recommend. With a good sub set to a relatively mid/high crossover level (80 Hz and up), I don't think the 60s will offer you any improvement. You've already got the fronts covered in terms of Axiom sound.

Now, I have never heard those rears or that sub that you have, so I have no idea how they stack up against the Axiom products. If your sub is not self-amplified, I'd say go for an EP500 or 600.

What is your budget?

Well, I was making a reply, but I got sidetracked taking care of Mom.

Actually, Doc said pretty much what I was going to say. Having gone from M22s to M60s myself, I feel, IMHO, there is an improvement, but, only a slight one.

Though I'm not familiar with your current sub and surrounds, I suspect replacing either will provide a greater change than going from M22s to M60s. To me it's a toss up between a new sub and the QS8s.

Though, as you say, the surrounds don't carry that much information, the QS8s are the best surrounds I've ever heard, and I feel safe in saying I'd be surprised if there wasn't a noticeable improvement over you current surrounds.

As far as the sub is concerned, a good one really adds a great deal to the home theater experience. If you are not satisfied with your current one, a superior one could be eye opening.

Once those two improvements are made, if you still feel you'd like to move to the M60s, I'd say go ahead and do so. I was glad I did.

I am trying to keep my total cost to $999 or so. That would mean either M60's, which may not be the best move right now, or QS-8's and a new $500 sub. I would consider the EP350 but am worried it would be too close to my current 12" 150 watt model.

Thanks for the input.

Greg

How about an EP500 from the factory outlet at $1080 USD?

I say put as much as you can into a new BIGASS sub and concern yourself with new surrounds at a later date.

If your room is relatively large I would go for a real good sub, with another vote for EP500. If your room is small you might get more benefit from the QS8s, since they really give the illusion of a larger, more open listening area.

Greg, go with QS4s or 8s. They are(or at least should be)used with every source material when you use surround processing such as DPLII or Logic 7 to extract ambience from two-channel material and steer it to the surrounds where it belongs. The very wide dispersion of the QSs will really increase your enjoyment in those situations.

QS8 and a STF-2 from HSU should get you both right around your budget number.

A key question is "how large is your room"?

If it's quite large, I'd say the first step would be a new sub. A factory outlet EP500 would be my first choice. I'd continue to use your current surrounds until you're ready for the next upgrade...and then I'd jump at a pair of factory outlet QS8s.

If you're room isn't all that large, a pair of QS4's and that Hsu STF-2 would be a great option.

Whatever you do, don't "settle" for less just so you can get both now. Buy what you can now, and save up for the next upgrade. You'll just kick yourself in the backside if you don't.

Good luck and have fun!