Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Receiver/speaker advice Newbie budget ver.

Hi everyone. This looks like a great board. I realize this kind of question gets posted all the time, but I thought I'd give this a try.

I just finished reading Laurie's thread "Yeh, I know but please give recvr advice anyway." Her final choices are, well, wow. I'll be going with the same panel, the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK, but the other parts, the Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver, Axiom Epic 60-500 speakers. Whew. I'm in awe. The idea of a $1600 receiver and 3K of speakers puts me into a state of woozy flabbergastedness (level 7). Still, I'm wondering if I should wait and save for such goodness or if something a step down (or two) would still be pleasantly mind-blowing, and maybe maybe more appropriate for our living room.

So here's my situation. Any advice welcome. 19'x12' living room, carpeted, nearly 9' ceiling, doors in one side leading to dining room, etc.

At first, I was thinking of a m22/vp100/qs4/ep350 setup, with maybe an Onkyo TX-SR604, or perhaps a Yamaha RX-V1600 receiver. (for classical, jazz, Celtic; sci-fi/LOTR, etc.)
Any thoughts? Would a move up to a vp150 and or qs8 make a tremendous difference? Would a move up further still to M50s or M60s redefine my aural universe?

My living room is significantly smaller than Laurie's 27x13.5, so would an Epic 60-500 be loony overkill?

I've strayed a bit. My main question here though is indeed about the receiver. I've been looking hard at the Onkyo TX-SR604 as it has a nice price, decent reviews, plenty of features. Wiser to step up to the Yamaha?

Any advice/opinions greatly appreciated.
Anthony

Anthony, welcome. If some of the systems you see being suggested don't fit your budget, don't worry about it; you can still enjoy fine sound at modest cost. Your proposed M22 system would be very good, but to help that budget even more you could consider getting a single M2 to be used as a vertical center. In your size room a smaller, less expensive sub would do the job and I'd suggest that you consider the Outlaw LFM-2 for about $300.

As to the receiver, the 604 would be an excellent buy and unless the Yamaha has some feature that you really want, there'd be no necessity to get it instead. The slight difference in maximum power would amount to about a 1dB higher maximum sound level(e.g. 106dB rather than 105dB)and is negligible. They both amplify transparently and don't add any sonic characteristic of their own unless you apply tone controls, ambience processing, etc. to suit your needs.

Hey Anthony,

There are so many things to consider and drive you nuts when your just getting started. In regards to a receiver, it really boils down to what you can comfortably afford with out maxing out your credit card and what bells and whistles you really need. There are a lot of great AVRs from reputable companies like Denon, HK, Yammy, and Onkyo, etc.. in the $600 to $800+ range.

Heck, my Denon's MSRP was pushing $1,000 when it was new, but I took my time and looked around and found it locally during a great sale for $730. Now that it has been out for a few years and other models have replaced it, you can find it much cheaper.

Also, don't get all worried about 80watts/channel versus 100watts/channel versus 120watts/channel, there is not a lot of difference. Speaker design/specs is also important. If you stay with a reputable brand that has the features you need, that will be fine.

In regards to your room size, I know some people that have the top of the line Axiom lineup in the same size room, and some have a smaller setup. The m22's with a good sub are killer. M50's, m60's, and m80's will give you better overall bass/punch and at higher levels will perform a little better. The 350 is a great sub, and used to be their top of the line, however, where knocked down by the current king's of the hill, the 500 and 600. Both the Q's series are great speakers. The Qs8's are more common and will give you a little better results, but there are many people happy with the Qs4's as well.

The VP100 and VP150 are both great centers, again you could go either way.

I suppose it all depends on what you can afford or if you have a significant other that you need to keep happy. Whichever you select, I'm sure you'll be happy. Just don't get a case of upgradeitis like many of us have had...

Hey Anthony,
The speaker system you listed out is almost identical to the one I just ordered up ~3 weeks ago in High Gloss Cherry (I really hope they get here soon ). I was also considering the QS4's, but upped them to the 8's since I heard those in my audition and they sounded awesome. I was convinced by their better bass response specs that it would probably work better with the rest of my speakers since I'm looking at about an 80Hz crossover. The QS4's just seem to drop off a little sooner, and for ~$100 or so, I figured I might as well go for it while I'm buying for the first time. As mentioned, you don't want to fall prone to the evil upgraditis .

Another good receiver you could look at is the Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR5960. They are nearly identical, just that the 5960 is sold in mass market stores and doesn't have certain zone 2 capabilities. The faceplates are also slightly different, but only minor differences. Check out the review at Audioholics . It looked to be the best one in the price range I could find, and I got a nice deal of $555 CDN at Futureshop. I've also heard good things about that Onkyo you listed and I'm sure either would be just fine to drive the speakers you are looking at.

Also, just to get you one step ahead, have a look at Monoprice for your cables. They are both excellent quality and price. Just be warned that if you get the solder banana plugs (can be used as screw ins) and 12 gauge speaker wire, you have to trim down the insulation to get it inside the connector. The reason to get the solder type plugs to use as screw ins is because the cable comes out the back instead of from the side, which I thought would work better. It's a little bit of work, but the end result looks very nice and has a tight connection between plug and cable. IMO its better then having smaller insulation and a loose connection that only hangs on the wires that are pinched inside.

Have fun picking a system and try not to rush your decision. Read lots of reviews as it will definately help (I think I read every single Axiom review on the internet ).

Enjoy.

I also forgot to mention above that if your willing to wait a few weeks, order from the Factory Outlet on the "Store" page. Still brand new speakers with the same warranty, you just save 10%, and if you buy 5 or more items (any items)total, you get another 5%. This might help you stretch and get a EP600. Just joking...

Look at my sig.

I have a Yamaha RX-V557, HSU STF-2 (a much smarter choice for a subwoofer if you are looking bang for your buck), M22's, VP100, and QS4's.

I got it all for under $1900. Couldn't be happier with it.

Anthony, well I bought exactly what you are looking into, a Yamaha Rx-V2600, M22, VP150, EP175 and now I'm buying the QS8, my living room is about the same size as yours. THe sounds is great, no complains at all. IT sounds weird to pay more for a center channel and surround speakers tthen you pay for the main speakers, but it works, I set up the cross over over the sub at 80hz and the balance is great. I decided to buy the VP150 because I wanted to make sure that the voices in movies are clear for all the seating area. The M22 are crisp and clear, I'm very happy with them but the 50s would have been a little better choice, meaning that you still have to buy stands for the 22s, it adds up another $200, for about a $100 more you get the M50 with more punch. Either way you will be happy with your choice. Don't forget the M22s cancompete with any $1000 bookshelf speakers.

Try to shop online for your receiver, there is some good deals on www.vanns.com . Best of luck

>>The M22 are crisp and clear, I'm very happy with them but the 50s would have been a little better choice, meaning that you still have to buy stands for the 22s, it adds up another $200, for about a $100 more you get the M50 with more punch.

Concerning this, it is very viable to opt for the M50s instead of M22s and stands. But the difference is that the M22s resemble the sonic qualities of the M60s and M80s rather than the M50s because of the 6.5" woofers that the M50s have rather than the 5.25" woofers that the M22s, M60s, and M80s possess.

Some would rather take M22s and a sub over M50s and a sub. The M50s will give you lower response because of their cabinet size but will have different upper end qualities when compared to the M22s, M60s and M80s.

Although I could be wrong in all these things, but this is what i have learned when researching Axiom speakers.