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Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84602 03/10/05 09:50 PM
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Good points. She'll be sitting about 15 feet back from the built-ins, which are about 15" deep. I would make sure that the speakers stuck out just a tiny bit in front of the ledge, and hopes she keeps them that way.

Comparing the M2 to the M3, is the M3 substantially larger than the M2? I will go and look at the specs, but that doesn't always give me a good sense of actual "size." Also, which will give her just plain a "better" sound? I don't think she's gonna listen very loud, and the parties that she has are usually tamer gatherings that don't require a large soudn system.

(To give you an idea - she's upgrading to a 34" DLP and surround soudn from a 1994 19" tube and a boombox). Anything is going to be a vast improvement.

Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84603 03/11/05 01:23 AM
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M3s are about 2" taller and an inch wider than M2s. Same depth. Roughly 1 dB more sensitive and 175 vs. 125W power handling, so figure 2-3dB louder with the right receiver.

My only concern with the M2s is if friends get her to "crank it" the M2s aren't going to be up to the task while M3s would be a bit better (not much though).

I'm thinking M2 + VP100 minimum...

Note that she's probably going to find the best seating distance from a 34" DLP is going to be more like 8-10 feet than 15 feet, so this may all work out fine. M2 + VP100 + good sub is wonderful at that distance.



M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
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Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84604 03/11/05 01:49 AM
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Wow, 15ft back is a pretty fair reach for even the M3s. I've not seen M2s to compare size-wize with M3s, but they don't appear a heck of a lot smaller in the pictures, although they just might be!

One interesting point that might want to be addressed: Your explanation of her and her group make her sound, uh, perhaps a bit laid-back(to coin an oft quoted phrase) Seriously, is she more of a serious listener, or has she a more casual attitude toward her sound system? Hey, might make a difference.

As far as which would give the better sound, that's a tough call having never heard an M2, but with the experence I Have Had with the M3s, I can recommend them without hesitation. I don't have a bad thing to say about the M3s, and I've had them for the front three channels for quite a few years now with no complaints whatsoever. (Even liked them so much that when we moved into a new larger house, when it was time for larger mains, I fought back a very strong urge to go with M60s, but stuck with something I knew so well, the 'ol pleasant sound of the "laid-back" M50s.) Interestingly enough, in my room anyway, the M3s put the main performers at the plane of the TV, the M50s put them just slightly foreward!!! Yeah! I would call the M50s foreward!!!

But I stray...

Bottom line? No question any Axiom set up would be a vast improvement, but for the right individual, the M3s would be hard to beat.

Best of luck in passing along your recommendations, it ain't an easy task trying to think for someone else!!

(Some of us have enough trouble just thinking for ourselves!)
Rich.

Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84605 03/11/05 02:36 AM
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axiomite
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If I remember correctly M50s are supposed to be a bit more forward than M3s, so the universe is unfolding as it should.

Capn P, can you check that 15' number ? It seems pretty far for a 34" DLP. It's ok for watching Oprah out of the corner of your eye while talking about something else, but for HT it's just going to be too far.

If the 15' number is real then I suspect the TV's going to be too small, speakers are the least of the problem

Hold on -- the original post says 43", later post says 34". Which is it ? Then again, even a 43" is really maxing out around 12 feet...

Last edited by bridgman; 03/11/05 02:37 AM.

M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
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Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84606 03/11/05 03:44 AM
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I didn't know til I experienced it, that the M50 was reported as more foreward than the M3-it's ok though, just unexpected-not too far foreward, maybe a foot or so in front of the plane of the TV-That makes the universe still good, in my book.

Good point about the tv screen size-supprised that I didn't think of that also(65in at 12.5 ft.) The new TV will be here Monday, the wife thought the 31" TV looked a little small next to the new speakers. (Actually, I got new speakers and a new receiver, and she got a new TV and DVD player)it sorta balances out.

Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84607 03/11/05 02:25 PM
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Sorry - typo - the DLP is 43". There's really no changing this, since the TV was bought before the built-ins were "built" and they were "built-in" around her TV - custom like.

43" is fine for her, like I said. It's a huge jump from the 19" sh*tbox she had.

And she is more of a casual listener, to re-iterate your turn of phrase. She would likely be blown away by a set of BLOSE. I think she'll be floored with some M3s or M2s, even if she's a little far away...

Any comments on how relatively "bright" the M2 is compared to the M3? Is the M2 like a M22 junior, while the M3 is like a M50 Junior?

Just curious. Right now, the issue is mostly aesthetic, partly sonic and definitely dimensionally challenged. (I'm not sure that she has 13.5" vertical in her bookshelf right now - more measurements are required.)

And for the record - Iwhile I do think that 50" would be nicer for her home theater, 43" is still pretty kickass, and beats a sharp stick to the eye anyday.

Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84608 03/12/05 03:47 AM
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axiomite
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>>Any comments on how relatively "bright" the M2 is compared to the M3? Is the M2 like a M22 junior, while the M3 is like a M50 Junior?

Yep -- M2, M22, M60, M80 are one "family" of sound, M3/M40/M50 are the other. Alan explained this a while ago -- when you run midrange through the 6.5" driver the off-axis response rolls off a bit as you get near the crossover frequency so you get a bit of a midrange dip.

The bad thing about that is that you lose a bit of clarity -- the good thing is that pretty much matches up with the famed "BBC dip" which most listeners seem to find sounds more relaxing and desireable for casual listening.

If you can fit M3s I think they would be preferable in a number of ways. Never heard them, though -- almost ready to buy a pair just so I can comment on them without seeming like a total windbag


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
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Re: 5 M2s or 4 and a Center
#84609 03/12/05 03:49 AM
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The M3's are a very nice speaker. Same exact sound as the M50's but on a smaller scale.

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