Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Greetings! New poster would like advice

Okay, here's the scoop: Divorced last year - she got the house and I got the home theater. I bought a new house (much smaller than the old one). Want to upgrade my home theater.

Current setup:

TV: 51" Panasonic HDTV

Receiver: Dennon 2805 (LOVE IT! just upgraded to it last month from a crappy Kenwood)

Mains: Klipch KG-4's (circa 1986 - Damn fine speakers for stereo despite their age, but nothing matches their timbre)

Center: Klipch SC-1 (Bought 2 months ago. Brighter than the older fronts. Not bad, but may sell and buy one that matches fronts when I buy new)

Surrounds: Optimus PRO LX5's (Had for several years. Very nice for cheap speakers. Linaeum tweeter is great).

Sub: Mirage FRx-S8 (very musical sub, but not very loud at all)

I have been lurking here for about a month and have read most everything posted in the last six months (Guess you can tell I haven't started dating yet!)

I want to buy new mains next, with the presumption that I will be replacing my remaining speakers with speakers from the same line within a year – except for the sub, which I am leaning towards SVS.
I am budgeting $800 - $1,000 for the mains, although I would prefer to lean towards the low end. I have listened to quite a few speakers, and I am most impressed with the Infinity Beta 50's. They seem to be very neutral, and have excellent bass. Has anyone A-B'd these against Axiom M60's?
After reading many of your praises of the M60's, I am sure they are very fine speakers, but like many people am unsure about buying them without auditioning them first. Anyone in central Pennsylvania with Axioms? It looks like there are a couple of people in the D.C. and Philadelphia areas (about same distance from me), but I would rather not drive for 3 hours!

Sorry for such a long post. Your advice and opinions will be welcomed.

Need to know room size and how far you are from your TV/listening area.

Current room size is 22 X 15/20, with openings to hall, upstairs steps, and kitchen. After the 15' it opens to 20', which is why I stated 15/20. The speakers are 12' apart on 15' wall. "Sweet spot" is 12' from speakers.
Planning on building home theater w/FP eventually in a sectioned-off basement area which would most likely be roughly 20X20.

XXXXXXXXX
X--L--C--R--X
X-------------X
X--------------
X-------------XXX
X-------o--------X
XSR----------SLX
X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(excuse the really bad diagram)

I'm going to get jumped on for this but if you like a neutral speaker, you may want to try and track down a set of M50's to listen to. They are neutral and a touch on the warm side. If you prefer the neutral sound I would stay clear of the M80's as they tend to be in your face. I have yet to hear the M60's and dam it pisses me off to no end but that may be another option. I'm just not sure how neutral the M60's are. Somebody else will have to pipe up on that.

I have the M60's and they are a great speaker for what you are looking for. Not too in your face but there when you want some punch. I moved out of some paradigms 9se and could not be happier. Make sure you match your center though as it will give you the overall sound you want. I have not heard the M80's but have heard that if you have a smaller or even mid sized room that the 80's may be a little too much. I would go with the 60's. Have not heard the M50's but if you are upgrading the room size why not go a little bigger just in case...I think that saying should be every HT guys motto.

If you cannot audition the speakers you can always buy them and if you don't like them, send 'em back. Axiom Customer service can give you the dimensions and weights to see what it will cost to send back. I bet it would only be around $40-$60 to send back but my bet is that you keep them. Also, you will want to replace the center and the rears, but that can be a future project if you like the mains.

I am planning on getting new fronts first, then a new sub, center, and surrounds in that order. I am planning on keeping my current surrounds and sub to use as a two-channel bedroom system, and selling the fronts and center.
I want to buy the new fronts as soon as I can get another weekend of overtime at work. I am definately leaning towards the M60's, but would REALLY like to audition them first.

I took a look at the link to audition. Not sure if you have looked at this.

Here are a few people in your state. Not sure how far they are.

Pennsylvania

King of Prussia (NW of Philly) - M22, VP150, QS8 (Zarak)

Folsom (SW of Philly) - M60, VP150, QS8 (MarkT)

Wayne(a western suburb of Philadelphia) - M60, QS8, VP150, EP350 (Bob4action)

Here are some people in your state. Not sure how far they are from you:

Pennsylvania

King of Prussia (NW of Philly) - M22, VP150, QS8 (Zarak)

Folsom (SW of Philly) - M60, VP150, QS8 (MarkT)

Wayne(a western suburb of Philadelphia) - M60, QS8, VP150, EP350 (Bob4action)