New Axiom speakers to replace my Energy speakers

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Hi folks,

I'm new to Axiom, but I've heard good things about their speakers. I have had the same 5.1 speaker set-up since graduate school, and I thought it might be time to upgrade to enjoy my HD-DVD/Blu-Ray uncompressed sound a little more...

I currently have the Energy Take 5 system (circa 1998) plus an Energy 10" subwoofer. I think my center speaker in the weakest link, as dialog is not always as clear as I would like it to be. My initial plan is to purchase new front and center speakers, and possibly move my Energy satellites to the rear for a 7.1 configuration (although it will take some wiring through the ceiling).

What set up would you recommend?

Config 1:
Mounted M22 bookshelves for the left and right
VP150 for the center

Config 2:
Mounted M22 bookshelves for the left, right and one more for the center

Which would give the best sound? Also - I have to mount the center above the TV, since there is no room for a speaker that large in my TV stand... AND I don't think there are any studs in the wall above the TV (it's an alcove). Can the VP150 and/or an M22 be mounted from a stud in the ceiling? Or are anchors in any way safe for mounting these speakers above a valuable TV?

Thanks for you help!

AJ, welcome. In general I'd suggest that using three identical vertical speakers across the front would give you the best sound. From what you describe, the placement of the center speaker is going to be a problem, but can you place the M22 on the floor directly below the screen and possibly tilted up a bit? All sorts of wall or ceiling mountings have been used(even hanging from the ceiling by chains)and possibly some may comment on that.

I can't tell you about the VP150, but I use 3 M22 up front and the sound is awesome. It is not easy to place an M22 near from the tv, but the result is impressive for me. But, I'm no expert, I'll let the others speak.

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AJ, welcome. In general I'd suggest that using three identical vertical speakers across the front would give you the best sound. From what you describe, the placement of the center speaker is going to be a problem, but can you place the M22 on the floor directly below the screen and possibly tilted up a bit? All sorts of wall or ceiling mountings have been used(even hanging from the ceiling by chains)and possibly some may comment on that.

Not really an option... but it looks like the ceiling mount that Axiom sells accomodates the M22. So - an M22 makes a better center speaker than the other?

JohnK,

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(even hanging from the ceiling by chains)and possibly some may comment on that.

You do mean the SPEAKERS, right?.............

Larry, a true audiophile should be willing to put up with a little discomfort in positioning himself to best advantage with relation to his speakers.

Audioerotic asphyxiation?

Anyone else have any input on this?

A rep from Axiom said that the M22 in the center is fine if the seating area is pretty straight on. If not, the VP150 will distribute the center sound better.

3 identicle fronts will give you the best match and soundstage. But this is not to say the 100 or 150 won't match well.

Not sure I follow the Axiom reps logic as the 22's should have a good horizontal dispersion. I supposed since the vp150 has two tweeters on each end, that may help for a wider room. How big is your room?

For me the 150 works fine with my m80's

Are there NO studs in the wall where you would mount the center or just not any that are in the center to mount the speaker. If they are just not in the center you could try cutting a thin sheet of plywood in a rectangle that would span the studs and give you a solid mounting for the center chanel where you need it.

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Are there NO studs in the wall where you would mount the center or just not any that are in the center to mount the speaker. If they are just not in the center you could try cutting a thin sheet of plywood in a rectangle that would span the studs and give you a solid mounting for the center chanel where you need it.

From what I could tell - no - there are no studs above hte alcove where the TV sits... But I think ceiling mounting it will put the speaker pretty close to where I would put it on the wall anyhow.

I'm leaning toward ordering 3 M22 speakers + mounts. How fast is Axiom's shipping? I live in Tucson, AZ.

If you order from the regular stock they should arrive in three business days(if a delay would be okay you could order from the Axiom Outlet and there's a 10% discount). If five or more items are ordered there's a 5% discount.

This is a Long weekend in Canada.. so if you were to order today I would think the first day shipping would be available would be Tue's and I believe the courier picks up late afternoon so it wouldn't leave the Toronto Depot until Wed some time for the trip to AZ.. HTH

Avdude

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3 identicle fronts will give you the best match and soundstage

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using three identical vertical speakers across the front would give you the best sound

This is nonsense.

Boys, if you are going to state something as fact, produce the data to prove it.
From a newbie's perspective, anything stated like this propagates the audio myths that fly across the masses never to be resolved.
Three identical speakers, one as centre will NOT unequivocally produce the best sound let alone best soundstage (show me the research on this one).
Best match is more arguable, but since all the driver boxes and drivers are identical, it is STILL incredibly hard to push the idea that a vertical M22 is so vastly different from a VP150 in presenting a centre channel sound such that everyone should be doing it.

ajq,
The VP150 centre channel is by far the best i've heard. It will provide a seamless and very wide soundstage with any of the Axiom mains.
I've had the M22, M60 and M40s in house for comparison AND i've even put the VP150 in a vertical orientation once for sound testing (i have pics). It was far better than other centre channels with the woofer-tweeter-woofer configuration in its wide off-axis (left and right) presentation). The fact it can sit on top of a tv or be placed underneath and angled upward simply by turning it upside down is a huge plus.

The VP150 was designed as a centre channel and although the M22 can function as such, i agree with the advice you got from the Axiom tech. Unless you have the backward seating distance or a more narrow listening area (e.g. not a wide couch or 4 theatre seats abreast, etc.), then the VP150 is more suitable a choice for a centre channel. The M22/M2 idea can be too directional.
Same idea goes for surrounds.
Not everyone has the best room to configure perfect dimensions that will produce a proper stereo effect all the time.

I played around quite a bit with vertical centers. One/Two and their placement. I didn’t really like the way one sounded. I didn’t like two when they were closer than 16” apart from each other. Two vertical centers 24” apart up to about 48” sounded the best. If you are set on going the V-center route, I’d suggest you go with two M22’s or two M2’s over one. I have heard a 150 and thought that sounded pretty good too.

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I played around quite a bit with vertical centers. One/Two and their placement. I didn’t really like the way one sounded. I didn’t like two when they were closer than 16” apart from each other. Two vertical centers 24” apart up to about 48” sounded the best. If you are set on going the V-center route, I’d suggest you go with two M22’s or two M2’s over one. I have heard a 150 and thought that sounded pretty good too.

I managed to find one stud above the alcove where my TV is, so it would be virtually impossible to mount 2 speakers up there...

I just placed the order for 3 M22's. Hopefully I'll be happy with the results.

And don't forget .. you can still return one of the m22 and grab a vp 100/150 with the 30 day plan if you are not happy with the sound ..