Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Room size compared to system requirement size

First off, I have a 600 sqft (16'x 34')basement recroom with plans for a 7'6" drop ceiling height(4000cuft). One point of possible concern is a floor joist beam, which will drop down to about 7' height situated directly above the sitting area. The sitting area is halfway back through length of room with a couple of games tables in the back half.
My questions would be in regards to what system would fulfill the needs of a room this size and speaker placement with the sitting area in the middle of this area.

System thoughts are; M60 or M80 with VP150, 4-QS8(side and rear) or 2-QS-8 side and 2-M22 rears combined with EP350 or EP500. Reciever/amp possibly Denon 2805. Have not heard these speakers yet but hope to check in with Chesseroo one day, soon after some local store sound sampling.
I see that Sirquack and mark s johnson have similar systems and/or room size and system changes coming. Your opinions and thoughts are appreciated

winterpeg
"a born and raised prairie boy"

Very roughly, distance from speaker to listening position determines the size of the mains, center and surrounds, while cubic feet of the entire area determines the size of the sub. It's not quite that simple (nothing ever is) but that's not a bad start.

In other words, if you have a big honkin' room but are only using half of it, you might need a big honkin' sub but the rest of the speakers could get away with being sized for the half of the room you are using.

If you want to listen to music without a sub then the mains might need to be sized for the entire room, not sure but it seems to make sense.

Given your room size and layout I would lean to M60/EP500 over M80/EP350, for example, unless you want to play music REALLY LOUD. You could probably get away with M22s as long as you only use half the room but M60s are probably the way to go.

And don't forget, the guys at Axiom are a great bunch for room size / speaker recommendations. They actually talked me out of more speaker than I needed.
I've got one of those goofball shaped rooms that goes from entranceway/livingroom/kitchen/diningroom that is about 16/20 feet wide (depending on which area you are in) by 30 feet long, with vaulted ceilings at the end where the system is, and it fills that space with ease.
If I had had a bit more room where the sub HAS to go I might have gone for the 500, but I am not a giant sub freak, so the 350 is plenty for my needs.
Let us know what you decide on.

That raises an interesting question. I had always thought of the EP500 as going deeper than EP350 but not necessarily being able to move a lot more air (EP350 can already fill a pretty large room).

Has anyone seen any posts comparing 350 with 500 in terms of SPL or room size ranges ?

I have been researching both speakers and receivers for the last month in preparation of a move. My future Family room is 23 x 27 with 7' ceilings with the exception of a tray ceiling in front of the fireplace. I plan on going with the M60's;VP150;EP500 & 2 Rear Sub QS8's and am leaning towards the Denon AVR-2805 receiver. For what I have read and asked others on this forum the characteristics of the M60 & M80 are identical with the exception of the M80's being louder. Remember that the M80's are also 4 Ohm speakers not 8 Ohms so you better have a very good receiver to drive them. Not having yet purchased my speakers I can only comment on what I have read but I think the M60's/EP500 route is the way to go, obviously if you can swing (4) QS8's you are way ahead of the game. Good luck from a fellow newbie. OOPS! Just noticed I have been upgraded to a regular (Watch out folks!).