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Currently at 2.0. What next?
#333257 01/03/11 02:49 AM
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Henry66 Offline OP
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I have a grand total of two speakers, a pair of M80s. I am indescribably happy with the way they sound and how they have brought me back in touch with my music collection.

But, of course, I am planning to upgrade to 5.1 eventually. I am thinking of doing it in steps for budget reasons.

My first instinct for the next step is to go to 4.0 with a pair of QS8 surrounds.

My neighbour, a movie nut with his own rather expensive dedicated home theater, disagrees and says I should get the best center money can buy. I think my M80s produce a pretty darn good phantom center.

An "audiophile" co-worker says I should get a subwoofer next. He has PSB Imagine T's and two REL subwoofers (I forget the model). I think my M80s produce superb bass down to at least 30 Hz, so I am not sure that a subwoofer will give me much extra for the money.

Looking forward to plenty of awesome and conflicting advice from everyone here too. smile


Axiom M80s + QS8s + VP180 <-- Pioneer VSX-1120-K <-- Squeezebox Touch / XBox360 / Oppo BDP-93
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
Henry66 #333259 01/03/11 02:57 AM
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I'd say go with your instincts. The addition that will add the largest change to your current experience, will be some surround speakers.

If you, singularly, are the primary listener, then a phantom center will serve you well. So I'd go with a sub after the surrounds, and take the center as your final upgrade step. (Unless you want to go to 7.1, then I'd add the rears after the center.)


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
Henry66 #333261 01/03/11 03:02 AM
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Henry, in my view your "first instinct" is absolutely right. Go with the QS8s for a 4.0 setup as the next step. Although a sub would be desirable, the M80s have good enough bass so that it isn't a crucial matter at this point. As you've learned, although a separate center speaker has certain advantages, a "phantom" center can be quite satisfactory, and doesn't need an immediate change.

On the other hand, there's no substitute for surround speakers and without them you don't really have a home theater. Both 2-channel(using a mode such as DPLII)and 5-channel source material benefit greatly from the surrounds and make the listening experience more enjoyable.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
JohnK #333262 01/03/11 03:10 AM
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Go with the QS8s first. They will make the most difference from what you have now.


3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
grunt #333276 01/03/11 06:30 AM
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QS8s.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
Henry66 #333277 01/03/11 07:54 AM
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Okay, Henry; so there you have it: a very diverse selection of opinions. Although it'll be tough, it's now up to you to sort them out.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
JohnK #333282 01/03/11 11:59 AM
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Center­>Subwoofer>surround.


Nad C356 DAC & C515
Axiom M3v3
Grant Fidelity RPF-120 MKII
Analysis Plus Black Oval 12&10
JRiver 19
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
Henry66 #333287 01/03/11 01:41 PM
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QS8s, then center, then subwoofer.

Your co-worker says "subwoofer" first because the PSB Imagine Ts don't have as extended bass output as the M80s.

Cheers,
Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
alan #333296 01/03/11 05:21 PM
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I echo the recommendation of Alan: Qs8s, then center, then sub.
I'll warn you, you'll want to travel that route really fast, perhaps all the way to 7.1 if your receiver accommodates the config.

In my case, I am re-deiscovering the sweetness of 2-channel sound since I switched to Axiom speakers, although I also have the 7.1 setup.


http://osteinz.blogspot.com

M80v3 VP180v3 QS8v3 QS4v3 SVS PB-Ultra 13
Yamaha DSP-Z7 Oppo 83SE
Re: Currently at 2.0. What next?
sam3274 #333305 01/03/11 06:55 PM
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If you are happy with the phantom center, take that off the list.

If you watch mostly action movies and love rumble, go for a good sub.

Personally I would go with the QS8 as it adds something none of the other speakers can. The first time people walked overhead during a scene was soooo cool!


Fred

-------
Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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