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Just starting
#186900 12/06/07 10:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
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fredk Offline OP
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Subject says it all. I've been listening to music on cheap systems for a long time and its time to step up to something nicer.

I have spent a lot of time here and on some other forums reading and have been very impressed by any and all reviews of Axiom products. They seem to be consistantly ranked as performing well beyond their price point and at levels acceptable to the discerning listener.

As a reference point, once uppon a time ago I owned a pair of advents (from when they were a one speaker company). While not the ideal speaker, they were a good start and served me well for many years.

My environment/constraints:

Small room in an apartment, 20x11x8 feet
(very)limited budget but willing to build over time (Paradigm studios are not in my future)
This is primarily for music, but surround for my soon to be purchased 50" rptv would be nice.

I enjoy a wide range of music from classical/jazz to rock with the latter being the main foucus. Artists like Niel Young, ELP, Yes, genesis, Alan Parsans, Floyd, Lead Zeppilin, Clapton ...

I do listen to jazz classical and blues on the radio when I can.

As an amateur guitarist (Yamaha fg360, she's my baby) I have a good ear for music and can appreciate high quality sound even if I can't exactly afford it.

What I have learned from all my reading so far: 5.1 is not just for movies so my decision is more complicated than "I like that pair of speakers best and thats all I can afford". There are a lot of speaker companies out there and I havn't heard of most of them.

So, given the above info, how do the advents (as a reference point) compare to Axiom's current offerings and how do you folks suggest I proceed.

Fred

Re: Just starting
fredk #186901 12/06/07 10:11 PM
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Welcome, Fred!

If you're patient, I would recommend getting the best front speakers you can afford, then getting the rest of the stuff later. It's an approach lots of us have taken. Looking briefly at your specs, I'd say M60s would be a good bet.

The risk of getting 5.1 now, is the second you post on these boards that you're going to get M22s, a VP100, QS4s, and an EP175, someone will come along and talk you into M80s, a pair of VP150s, 4 QS8s, and a pair of EP500s. ;\)

Last edited by kcarlile; 12/06/07 10:12 PM.

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Re: Just starting
Ken.C #186903 12/06/07 10:16 PM
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only a pair of EP500s?


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Re: Just starting
Hutzal #186908 12/06/07 10:25 PM
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He's on a budget, y'see...


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Re: Just starting
Ken.C #186909 12/06/07 10:28 PM
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Pesky things those budgets are...


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Re: Just starting
Ken.C #186911 12/06/07 10:39 PM
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I concur. Although my "Axiom" conversion was done fairly fast (my budget was no longer a problem), I too went for good main speakers first (22 years ago) and then added surround.

If music is important to you, you will get more satisfaction from a pair of really good speakers like the M60 or M80 than a "compromised" 5.1 (no matter how good the compromise is). And, as far as getting your money's worth, Axiom is a tough cookie to beat.


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Re: Just starting
Hutzal #186912 12/06/07 10:43 PM
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Budget in an apartment I would go M22s front QS4s for surrounds and a VP100 for center, the sub should be an EP400 great musical sub and works well with HT, it just won't shake your neighbours out of their beds. I know, so much for that budget once I threw out the EP400 but it is just so good for small areas and music and is ideal,IMO, for an apartment setting.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: Just starting
jakewash #186916 12/06/07 10:56 PM
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I would just go for the M80s, and skip the sub, especially in an apartment (unless you have concrete floors).


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Re: Just starting
Hutzal #186920 12/06/07 11:22 PM
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Hi Fred. Welcome.

I think we need more information.

How much, exactly, do you want to spend and when?

What kind of amplifier / processor are we talking about? Is that part of this acquisition cycle or not?

What about source components? Are you listening to CD's, Vinyl, MP3's, etc? Is gaming part of this equation?

Do you have preferences or restrictions regarding the size of the speakers or the form factor?

A few thoughts:

I totally agree you should get the best main speakers you can afford, and that if you get floorstanders, you could go without a sub for a while. If you get bookshelves (M22's or M3's), you're probably going to want a sub right away.

Since you'll be substantially upgrading your TV in the near future, you're going to spend quite a bit of time in Home Theatre mode. Maybe more than you think. The surround speakers are going to make a big difference.

The Axiom subs are tremendous. However, depending upon your location (are you in Canada or US or elsewhere?), they might not present the best value proposition if you are on an extremely limited budget.

Everybody who is a regular here REALLY digs Axiom speakers; otherwise, we wouldn't hang around. There are lots of options and many paths, but you have to be realistic about how much you can/should spend and when you can spend it.

Personally, given what I know now, here's the progression I'd go through:

1. Get a pair of M60's and run 2.0. Unless you ULTIMATELY WANT bookshelves. If so, get M3's or M22's. If you have the money, by all means get M80's.
2. Get a pair of QS8's and run 4.0. QS4's don't save THAT much money. If you REALLY need to save money on the surrounds, get M2's instead.
3. Get a decent sub within your budget and run 4.1.
4. Get as much center channel as you can afford (even a single M2 is awesome) to go to 5.1.

There are lots of people that will say how important the center channel is for HT. It really depends upon not only your budget and your room, but also your listening habits. It's more important sooner if you regularly share your viewing with several other people. If it's just you, or you and your SO sitting close together, a phantom center channel will be pretty satisfying.

Have fun with the journey.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Just starting
tomtuttle #186936 12/07/07 01:19 AM
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 Originally Posted By: tomtuttle

Have fun with the journey.


The never ending journey that is. 4 yrs in and still no end in sight.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
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