Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater (Another) newbie advice thread

Yes! Thanks, Jason.

Hobb, welcome. Judging from the diagram, you're too close to the back wall for rear surround speakers to set up a good rear sound field. QS side surrounds in a 5.1 setup, placed on the back wall about where you show the "rears"(preferably 2-3' above ear level and spread as widely as possible)should work well, and there's no need for ceiling speakers to confuse the issue.

M22 mains with, if possible, a vertical M22 or M2 center, would be an excellent setup across the front.

Thanks for all the help.

While it looks like there is room to move the sofa forward I'd rather not get too much closer to the TV, it's just not quite practical and the diagram doesn't quite capture that. I'm also averse to shelves in front, I have a thin Samsung LED which, while it isn't mounted ultra low profile, I'd still rather keep the speakers fairly neat to the wall so based on the pictures would be buying the In/On Wall versions to get the best look. I appreciate the argument about taking them when moving, but I'd be ok with some repairing work in several years time if that's the case and don't see me moving for a while anwyay.

So based on the advice here's roughly what I have as a build (I looked on the auction page and the only in/on wall is the VP150 which is still over $100 more than the new VP100)
M22 - $488/pair
VP100 - $264 (can't see pricing for single M2 as suggested)
QS8 - $558 (could buy on auction site)
EP350 - $768 (going to the EP500 is an extra $500 so starts to really push things)
Total is $2078

I could in theory drop the QS8s for now and wait to buy them later. Could I even also drop the Sub and still get a good 3.0 system to start? If I was going to do that would it be worth switching to V150 for the centre?

I'm also stuck on a receiver choice. Bit lost within all the various options and blinded by features! Personally would prefer not to buy reconditioned, but appreciate the links posted earlier. Advice from elsewhere is to move away from something like the Onkyo SR608 which is well reviewed from a feature point of view but lacking the power in the system to really drive more expensive speakers. However I'm still a real newbie when learning the terms and what to look for and just working on reviews and other opinions.

One more thought is for you to buy the Epic Grand Master 350 for $2,122.30, swapping the bookshelf versions for the in/on-wall versions. This is only $44 more and you get the VP150.

Yup - good point, I had looked at that yesterday but had forgot to mention that this morning as I was looking at pricing to make things flexible. If was to go all out and buy 5.1 that would be the best option.

On the product page, below the buttons for "add to cart" and "customize yours", there is a link for "add single speaker to cart". For new stock, it's 1/2 the pair price, so $158 for an M2v3.



You could, but you're going to lose quite a bit of "wow" factor



I wouldn't do it. If you have to save money initially, I'd get 2.1 to start, then the surrounds, and the center LAST. Modern receivers can run a "phantom center channel" where the content is sent to the mains. It's not as good, but it's something.



Honestly, considering the relatively short listening distance, I don't think you're going to get "value" going to a VP150 instead of an M2 or VP100.

As to receivers, nobody ever seems disappointed when they buy a Denon (except the manuals are horrifying and I hated my 1804 remote). I wouldn't let wattage drive your decision, though. You're going to get potentially damaging levels from something like the Onkyo you mentioned. You could look for a receiver with pre-outs (so that you *could* add an external amplifier later) if you really wanted to hedge your bets. People seem pretty high on the Pioneer VSX-1020K which is very full-featured and can be had for about USD$400.

I really have to defer to my Canadian brothers about subwoofer availability and such. I'm sure that the EP350 is a great unit and it is definitely the right Axiom sub for your application. However, it seems like a slightly disproportionate part of your budget, and you might be able to shave ~$150 off that component if you wanted to get basic black from another manufacturer.

I second Tom’s recommendation that you skip the center and add it later rather than skipping the sub or surrounds.

Shopping list then right now:
M22x2 - $488
M2 - $158 (is it worth it to up to M22 at $244?)
QS8x2 - $558

SVS SB12 - $599

Pioneer VSX1020 - $704 - possibly some savings by shopping cross border on this (or VSX30 for $498)

Total - $2507

Was reading the other thread on the M2s to see what the impression is on the M22 or M2 as center. Would be watching a variety of movies & TV so want to make sure dialogue is clear.

Dialogue will be clear no matter which Axiom you use as a center, they all excel with sound clarity.

Check out Soundsaround and haggle with them, they seem to be wary of crossborder shopping lately and giving better pricing,