Axiom Home Page Forums Thread Like Summary - Timber Matching SVS with Axiom

Does anyone run SVS fronts with Axiom surrounds?

I currently have all axiom speakers, but am moving to a new house and plan on starting over. The room will be 21 x 14.5. It is a family room with a fireplace at the far end and entrance to kitchen on the other. Therefore I will be viewing the Tzv\projector screen from roughly 12 feet with about 2.5 feet behind me.

I am thinking of using 4 in wall M3s for surrounds, 4 in ceiling M3s for atmos. I am not sure yet if i will go with the Axiom M60\80s or SVS ultras\ pinnacles for the front. I will decide this once i audition the fronts. However SVS does not have in wall speakers for the surroungs\atmos so i most likely will go with axiom for that. My question is whether timber matching is something i have to worry about in this type of setup if i choose SVS for the fronts?

Also any thoughts on the in wall M2s vs M3s for back and side surrounds? I know the bookshelf M3s have a somewhat unnatural bump in lower frequencies so thought i would ask.

Hi listener

To answer you question, as long as the LCR speakers are matched you are ok.

The surround channels do not have to be the same brand to get great sound so long as they are properly positioned and level matched in output.

Even in a system with the same speakers all around, there will exist timber differences due to phase, acoustics and interference with your seating choice. The “head related transfer function” also plays into differences at a given angle.

Playing pink noise in each channel will quickly reveal differences, even in a matched system.

I have a fair amount of experience using SVS Ultra Towers, SVS Ultra 16 sealed sub, SVS cylinder subs such as the PB2000 and the two other models up which elude me in terms of the model numbers. My experiences were very poor with all of the speakers in terms of performance and durability. Virtually all of the speakers failed in a very short term after installation.

I auditioned a pair of Bryston Middle T towers literally set next to the SVS Ultra towers and my God, it was stunning how much they bettered the SVS's in all aspects. I replaced one of the SVS subs, I think it was the 13 inch ultra cylinder sub with an Axiom EP500 and it was amazing how clean it sounded vs. the muddy mix the SVS put out. I then added in an EP800 V4 and things really ramped up in performance.

I found a pair of Bryston Model T towers which went in to replace the Middle T's... Yikes! Same sound signature, but the system elevated to a whole new level. I ultimately brought in a Bryston Model T sub which melded perfectly with the Axiom subs. Keep in mind that Bryston speakers are all built by Axiom and they share the same drivers other than the 8 inch woofers in the Bryston Model T series, but its all Axiom built equipment. Everything just works together in perfect harmony.

My advice is to skip over the SVS stuff, which I believe is all built in China and just do whatever Axiom combination you determine will work for you. The quality elevation is very evident.

I can't wait for you to get the M100. The M100 with the 1250 will melt your brain real nice.