Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Surround and sub question

All,

I have a couple of questions. I would like to setup a 7.1 system. I have decided on the 60's, 150, and QS8's for a 5.1. My problem comes from a curtain if I want to go to a 7.1. How is a system going to sound if 1 QS8 is behind a curtain? Is there any way for receiver settings to compensate for that? I would have my QS8's on the side and M3's in the back. But I don't think I am going to be able to do it with the curtain.

I have seen a lot of mixed reviews with the 350. Should I be looking at something else? That is kind of the price range I want to stay in.

Thanks for your help.

There's a floor stand for the QS8. Maybe use that in front of the curtain?

Re 7.1 vs 5.1 there are many opinions on this. One factor is how much music vs HT. Generally 7.1 would benefit HT more than music, as there is no discrete 7.1 music.

This is just my opinion, but I'd recommend a 5.1 config with an EP500 over a 7.1 with an EP350. Reason: I love bass, and you appreciate that on both HT and music. Room layout is tricky for 7.1 (as you're finding out). Others have different opinions.

Can you mount the QS8 in front of the curtain using a bracket on the ceiling like an Axiom FMB?

I'm not trying to be a smarty pants or anything, but if that curtain is not made out of "accoustically transparent" fabric, it's going to sound like a lop sided 6.1 system.

I would agree with Joema's post. When he says 7.1 can be tricky, that's an understatement, at least with my experience. However, once I got it right, it's awesome, and does not hinder, or change my 5.1 (SACD) music. If you love bass, look at the 500, the 600 is a monster, and other subs, I love the SVS subs, but that's a worn out exchange that I won't travel. Look at all, there are many great subs out there. The benefits of 7.1 are there, but there is limited material that really stand out. If it's a budget issue, then I would agree 5.1 with "better" bass, beats 7.1 with a compromise. I went 7.1 and I am a bass addtic!!

Or you can stick with the EP350 and only 2 QS8s for a 5.1 setup and save money for other toys. I haven't seen any 7.1 material. The vast majority of movies are 5.1, with a few 6.1 titles.

The QS8s are tricky to place since they need to be wall-mounted or put on a stand. Not worth the hassles unless you build your HT room from the ground up.

I wish I could use a stand, it would block a little walkway. I might actually be able to mount the speaker on the ceiling. Will it make a difference if one of the QS8's is positioned a little off than the the other? They would be the same height, but one would be angled a little differently than the other.

The angle should not make a noticeable difference. The QS8s are actually remarkably forgiving when it comes to placement. What you describe - same height and distance, slightly different orientation - sounds fine. Mine are at different angles as well because I actually have a 5-sided room... which is complicated!

I actually have the same problem with a curtain along the back wall. The stud that I need to mount to is right behind the curtain.

So, I used that to my advantage in applying it to the WAF. My wife loves to redecorate. She modified the curtains, I get 7.1 surround. Of course there was the crown molding, new paint, as well as new couches, but whatever it takes to get the sound system that I want! Right?

I'll be using the full metal bracket from Axiom that was mentioned above too. That should give a little flexibility in mounting. My wife had also thought about cutting a hole in the existing curtains to allow the speaker to sit in front. I thought that wouldn't work too well, so she modified the whole thing. She's pretty handy that way. What a wonderful lady I have!