Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Newbie in CT

I am building my first real system and plan to start with just 2 main speakers for now , no sub or center. Our living room is configured so I cannot move the speakers away from the wall on either side of the TV more than about 8 inches. I would like to use the M60's but there is a couch 3 ft in front on the left speaker so I am concerrned that between the distance to the wall and the couch obstructing the sound in front, I should think about using M22's on a stand instead. Any thoughts for a rookie?

Hey Dave, welcome...

Will you be able to angle (toe in) the 60's towards the listening area a little bit? This may help you avoid the couch in the way. Also, I don't think you would have to stay away from the wall 8". When I had my 60's they were about 4-5" away and did a very good job.

Most receivers when not using a center, will simulate the center by using the 2 mains, this is normally called phantom center mode. So you could still enjoy movies if you want. However, you really need some left/right surrounds at some point to give you a great experience, followed by a sub.

Thanks, that is a good idea, we could definitely give them a little toe in angle. I want the 60's for musical quality first and HT second. These are my first "real" speakers in 20 years. BTW -The room is 15'w by 17 deep and 8.5 high.

Dave, another welcome. Note that the overall height of a bookshelf speaker on stands may be about the same as the M60s. If only the woofers would be behind the couch(depending on how high the couch was at that point)this may be satisfactory, since the woofer frequencies are substantially omnidirectional and less susceptible to being blocked. I recall that Jack Richard(Ajax)felt that a similar situation in his setup didn't cause a significant problem.

A portion of my couch is less than 2 feet away from my M80s and I don't experience any problem. Also, my M80s are about 6" away from my wall...again no problem. Sirquack's suggestion to toe in is a good one. You may even find that you don't need a center speaker once you achieve the right amount of toe in.

I appreciate the welcome and the advice! The couch is 31" high, I am trying to get my wife to let me move it to middle of room, instead of side wall. I'll keep you posted, lol!

Outstanding Mojo! I'm feeling much better after hearing all of you guys, it's time to place the order for the M60's in Cherry! Look out Joanne (my wife), she already thinks I've become obsessed with this.

My advice is to work on her slowly. Show her some pictures from Axiom's wall of fame...casually . It took me about a month of showing my wife various pictures on the net and in magazines. Now she's ecstatic that I soft-sold her on it.

Sweet friggin room MoJo

I might also add I have the M80's
and the VP150, but when the speakers are set up proper and with a little toe in as mentioned you should get a good sound stage precense.
Example I have my mains 10ft apart and my listening is 10ft away from my tv. I like listening to music in 2channel and also the Eagles live in Mebourne and it sounds like there is a centre channel.
For example when Glenn Frey is singing and it is panned in on him the sound in stereo sounds like it is coming from the middle of the TV.