Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners QS-4 questions

Greetings all! New to HT and looking for 2 surrounds to complete the 5.1 set up. I've been looking at the QS-4s but have a few questions and hope you all may be able to help:

(1) Since the surrounds cannot be wall-mounted, are the 36" stands tall enough to provide an adequate surround environment?
(2) If the two surrounds are placed right behind and slightly to the side of the couch, will the sound be too localized?

Thanks for your thoughts,

First, the QS4's can certainly be wall-mounted. They come with a perfectly fine bracket, or you can purchase the full metal bracket that allows more flexible positioning.

On your second question, it is unclear whether you mean that the surrounds will both be on one side of the couch, or on opposite sides of the couch. If on the back wall on opposite sides of the couch (a decent distance apart), there is no problem with doing it that way. If you mean that both surrounds will be on the same side of the couch, that would seem to be problematic to me.

The QSS stands are specifically designed by Axiom for the QS4/8. Although I've never used the stands, my assumption would be that Axiom wouldn't design and sell a stand that would spoil the effects you can get out of their own QS series.

Regarding the placement, what would be the approximate distance from the QS4s to the primary listening position according to your current plan? -- you may not want to place them too much "near-field."

I have the QS8s but I think I can help out a bit here.

I originally had M3s as my surrounds and they were next to the ends of the couch facing in about ear height and slighty behind on make shift stands. The sound was good, but fairly localized. Then I read a suggestion to move them at least a foot above the ears - big difference.

Eventually after reading so much about the QS8s I caved - WOW! Talk about dispersion! I can't say enough about how impressed I am by the design and the ability to create local OR dispersed sound. I'd imagine the QS4s should be similar.

I'd lean toward wall mouting them and save the money (sorry Axiom) or put the money towards QS8s (you're welcome Axiom). I'm not sure that the full benefit of these is realized at 36" off the ground.

I'd agree. If possible, wall mount them about 1-2' above ear level. The best possible place would be 1-2' above ear level, and about 1-2' behind the seating position. Not completely behind you, but not directly next to you either.

I have the QS8's, and honestly I wish I hadn't spent the extra money on a second amp and the M2i's to be used as rears in a 7.1 system. The QS8's are absolutely amazing. A 5.1 system with Axiom's surrounds is awesome!

Thanks all for your opinions! I need to clarify a couple of things:

(1) The room configurations do not allow for wall-mounted surrounds (open on one side and window on the other)
(2) If I were sitting in the center of the couch, the surrounds would be at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions (probably closer to 5 and 7), and about 1 ft behind the couch.

I know it's not an optimal set up but WAF is an issue. New question: is 1 ft too close and will it result in localized sound?

Thanks,

In reply to:

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If I were sitting in the center of the couch, the surrounds would be at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions (probably closer to 5 and 7), and about 1 ft behind the couch.

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That seems like the QS4s are within a few feet of your ears, no? I'd have to say that would be too close -- you want at least 5-7 feet of distance from the speakers. How about placing them on or along the side walls, facing each other? What's the size of your room?