Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Which option would be best?

Hey guys, due to my budget restraints, I was wondering which of these two options would be best.

1. VP100 & QS8's

Or

2. VP150 & QS4's

I have a dedicated theater room, it isn't real wide, I'd say about 11' wide, probably close to 16' deep/long. I'm kind of struggling with this decision and thought I might be able to count on you guys for some support/help.

Thanks



Sandman

Sandy, I really wouldn't know how to pick between the two options which you've listed other than to say that in your size room both the VP100 and the QS4s should be adequate. As is my preference, however, I suggest a small vertical center speaker for better horizontal dispersion, rather than any horizontally configured center. The M2 can be considered for this purpose.

Well, I will offer this;
I have never heard the VP100 - so I cannot comment on it.
I have never heard the Qs4s - so I cannot comment on them.
I own the VP150 and think is is terrific. Does it's job in a solid and competent manner.
I own a set of the Qs8s. They have made more of an improvement in my HT than just about anything that I can think of. Sure, the M60s get more work, just because I listen to alot of music, and I love 'em. But...
So far, in living with these Axioms for a couple of months, and comparing all of my pieces with everything else that I have used over the years, and trying to remember everything that I listened to while shopping for other speakers, I might just have to say that the Qs8s are one of those "Best in Class" kind of products.
All of the Axioms that I own are wonderful.
But the Qs8s are off the charts as far as value, completly crushing anything else that I listened to for hundreds more, and for the difference they have made in MY HT setup.
YMMV!!!
I'm sure the VP100 is more than good enough.
(And Heck, for all I know the Qs4's might be wonderful too!)
But the 8s are just insane!
And, to blather on even more, they are easily the most forgiving surround speakers, as far as placement goes, that I have ever had in my system.

I'd like to second the comment on a bookshelf center. I've been using one for years with great results.

My vote:
VP100 AND QS4s.

Sandman, I would go with option #1. Certainly the vp100 is more than enough for that size room, unless you've got a really tall ceiling. From what I've read, the qs8's are the way to go.

I went with the VP100 and the QS8s. I chose my center because I'm basically cheap, and it did look small coming out of the box. It sure doesn't sound small, though. I was plesantly surprised. Since, I haven't heard the QS4s I can't comment. I went with the QS8s. I don't have any complaints with either of them. They're all good.

The only problem is upgradeitis. I would say either only get one of them now, or else spend the extra $100 and get the VP150 and QS8. Upgradeitis sucks, but if you have the best, it is unlikely you will have to deal with it as much. If you didnt go the best on one of them, a few months from now, you will likely be on this forum wondering if you should have went with the bigger speaker.

What kind of mains are you thinking about, and what is the distance from center to listening position ? I went with VP100 and QS8 myself but haven't heard VP150 or QS4 so can't offer much comparison.

Axiom tends to match QS4s with M3/M40/M50 and match QS8s with M22/M60/M80. I thought that was just a pricing thing but some recent comments got me thinking that there might be a better tonal match with those combinations.

There are a few posts on here comparing VP100 with VP150... the pattern seems to be that in small to mid sized rooms there is no discernable difference between them while in larger rooms the VP150 sounds more open and clear (ie it can play at higher volumes and still sound good).

If you have a very long narrow room (ie surrounds will be close but center will be far away) that is an argument for VP150 and QS4, I guess...

Bridgman,

I know the consenus to most tends to fall in favor of the M60's or the M22's, but I decided on the M50's. I've had the opportunity to hear both, the M50's and M22's, and the M22's were sweet, but I favored the M50's. Right or wrong, I can't help it. Just my taste and preferences I guess. lol

Anyways, in answer to your other questions, my room is longer than it is wide, so I guess one could say it's long and narrow, but it isn't real deep or real long, it's about 16' deep/long, and 11' wide. The distance from the center to my listening position is right around 8-9 ft. Probably about 8 1/2'.



Sandman