Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater QS8 V2 or M2 V2

here it is the Q's on the side wall or the M2's on the back wall. The Q's will be about 5" from the celing, that would be the side placement. My question is the 8's on the side wall or the 2's on the back wall

G, not sure that I have the full picture, but apparently you're talking about the side surrounds in a 5.1 setup. If so, the QS8s, mounted at the height you mention and preferably a couple feet farther back on the sidewall than the listening position would be advisable. For side surrounds the very wide dispersion of the QSs would make them preferable. If you were talking about also having back surround speakers in a 7.1 setup on the back wall, a case could be made for M2s instead of the QSs, but that apparently isn't your plan. Unless the back wall would be very close behind the listening position side surrounds shouldn't be mounted there, because they're primarily for side, rather than back effects.

Gieseman, there really would not be an "OR", you either have a 5.1 setup with "side" surrounds, or a 7.1 setup with both "side" and "rears". For 5.1 you normally would not want to put them on the rear wall, as the side surrounds are intended to be heard from the "side" of the listening position.

I have a 7.1 system, I have a pair of adp-190's on the side now and a pair of old bookshelf speakers on the back wall. I was think with the placement so close to the celing it might sound bad. If you guys think it is ok I will move the adp's to the back and run the Q's on the side

5.1 side surrounds are best placed to the side of the listening position as stated by John and Randy.

John, that is the first I have heard a few feet back is 'preferable' to directly to the side (and 2'-3' above ear level when seated), even for QS8's.
Dolby surround speaker placement recommendation

As stated, a case for M22's over QS8's, would only possibly be for back (7.1) speaker placement if you back wall is very far back and you do not want to ceiling mount QS8's a few feet behind the listening position. (maybe 3'-7' back, depending on your room). I had this exact discussion over many posts because my back is 16' behind my listening position. For my back 7.1 speakers, I ultimately decided on ceiling mounting QS8's 5'-7' behind the listening position.*

Much discussion has been done about direct firing vs. radiant firing (QS8) for 5.1 sides. The overwhelming conclusion is most find the radiant firing QS8 to be much more enveloping. The direct firing speakers sound like they are coming from two distinct points, instead of dispersed all around you.

* (My speakers will arrive in 5 days. I will experiment with exactly how far back on the ceiling to mount the 7.1 backs)

EDIT: I type too slow (or think too slow;o). Alan Lloft says 2" is fine for the Q's, but tilting them to give a little more space, is even better. So, yes, 5" clearance for top of QS8's is very good. When people use the Axiom FMB ceiling mount brackets, as many do, they leave about 2" top clearance, so 5" is even better.

What are your room dimensions?
Dist of list. pos. to front speakers?
Dist of list. pos. to back wall?
Dist of list. pos. to each side speaker?

Off hand, I'd think you'd want the QS8s for the surround channel (side) and the M2 for the rear channels.

More films/games utilize 5 channels, with fewer mixed for 7. (even tho your receiver can usually throw your backs a bone on 5 channel sound) Given that, I think the Qs8s are better surround workhorses, especially if most of your material is 5 channel.

Hey I will order the QS8 and put them on the side and move my adp-190 to the back. I do agree with the sound decoding, I have a Rotel per/pro and I think it does good job. But their are not a lot of film in 7.1 yet.

that should work great with your Rotels, awesome equipment.

Hey thanks, and I just got off the phone with Brent and the QS8's will be headed to my house. I can't wait.

The QS8s are awesome Gieseman, congrats on your purchase!