Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Are bookshelves good enough for my room?

Hi everyone! I will soon move into my new condo and I want to replace my 10-year old Panasonic 5-disc stereo system I bought when I was in college with a true home theater speaker system (my first). A 5.1 setup is what I’m looking at to rock the house (hello neighbors). I’ve auditioned Paradigm Monitor, PSB Image and Focal JM Lab Chorus 80x Series and now I’m looking seriously at Axiom’s offering. I live in Canada so I really like Axiom’s pricing, duty-free shipping and GST only. Speakers, subwoofer and AV receiver are the only parts left, I already bought the display (40” Samsung LCD) and a PS3 for CD/DVD/BluRay duties.

I ask for your help because I’m not sure which Axiom configuration would fit the bill. I don’t want to spend too much money, I want something good enough for my room, good for music, movies and gaming (PS3 and 360).

My den is only 20’ x 9’-10” but total room size is approximately 20’ x 20’ with 9’ ceiling. The den is open on the dining room and the kitchen and we have multiple windows on one side. The room’s big but we’ll be seating close to the TV (about 5”-6”).

My question is, would bookshelves systems (Epic Master or Grand Master) be good enough considering my needs and room dimension or am I better considering the M60 floorstanding speakers? I’m already fixed on the subwoofer and surrounds, I’ll go with the EP500 and the QS8s.

See the attached image for room configuration. I’ve already put speaker wires in the walls and ceiling for the QS8 surrounds in the back. So, will M3s or M22s be good enough for my room, will I miss the M60s? Remember that it's a condo and that I upgrade from an old Panasonic stereo!

Thanks, looking forward to seeing your input!

IMHO, the choice is between the M22 and M60's. If you dont intend to use the Mains in 2.0 mode, the M22's should be more than enough. Either way, you will need a beefy sub. It is a must for getting the lower end effects in movies. Get at least the EP500 or equivalent from a different brand.

In house demo is the way to go. Start with the M22's and if you feel the need for more volume, get the M60's.

Hello Bruf,

And welcome to Axiom's forums. Given the volume of your listening room (about 3,600 cu. ft), you have to look at your own listening preferences in terms of volume levels to decide if the M22s plus the EP500 will be enough for you. That's the combo I use much of the time in my living room and, sitting about 8 ft to 10 feet back, the M22s, EP500, QS8s etc will play cleanly to volume levels with music averaging around 80 to 85 dB SPL (that's termed "Loud") at my couch and chair. With soundtracks and some big classical works, I sometimes let things peak at 95 to 100 dB SPL (subjectively "Very Loud").

However, some of my Axiom colleagues grew up listening to rock 'n' roll at levels well above 100 dB SPL (I find those levels deafening) and they want to hear things played back that way. If you are in that group, get the M60s because they will do that if you have a good hefty amplifier.

If not, then I think you'll be thrilled with the soundstage, clarity and transparency of the M22s and EP500. I would not go to the M3s or M2s given the room volume.

Regards,

Go with the EP500 M22 combo, your room size is fine for high SPL levels with that combo. I know that I love mine!

Edit: Seeing as you are so close to your mains, I would again recommend the M22s, 5-6 feet they will sound awesome.

-Robb.

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies! Yes indeed we'll sit at about 6' from the TV set.

Alan, when you say "a good hefty amplifier", in which price range should I look to match the M22s or M60s?

I'm considering the following AV receivers, please tell me what you think (good enough?) :

- Onkyo TX-SR605
- Yamaha RX-V661 or RX-V659
- Denon AVR-1907 or AVR-2307CI
- Pioneer VSX-1016TXV-K

Regards,

Any of those receivers will do the job nicely. And I too would recommend the M22's in a condo setting you won't be able to take advantage of the extra headroom of the M60's. When/if you move into a house, you will then be able to purchase M60's/80's and have a great set of bookshelfs for another listening area.

Although I don't like speaking for others, by hefty amplifier, I presume he means something capable of driving your speakers cleanly to harsh listening levels, so, say, a true 100 wpc.

Any of those receivers will drive M22's or M60's to very high levels, upper 90's in decibels.

I currently have M80's, but used to own M3's and M22's. I, too, live in Montreal on the Plateau. Should you want to hear what Axiom can do, PM me.