I am building a dedicated home theater system in a 15'x30'x8' corner of my basement. I have had expert advice on the construction of the room and I am well on my way to being done (never knew floors could float and walls could stagger without the use of alcohol!). I want a great system, but I am limited to $2,500 for the speaker system. Please help guide me, as I am fairly convinced that Axiom is the way to go with regards to manufacturer.

I am using a Pioneer VSX-94TXH Elite 7.1 Receiver. Given that, what about these choices:

1. Do you recommend staying 5.1 for now, or going ahead and building the 7.1 system for the coming ability to fully enjoy 7.1 sound with HDTV and Blu-Rays?

2. If I go with 7.1, would using the W-22s as the middle surrounds hold their own with the Qs8s in the back?

3. Given the medium-sized room, do I need more than the M60's up front (mainly a theater, not for music)?

4. Lastly, if I go with the M60s up front, do you recommend going with the larger center VP150 (again for the better theater experience)? Further, has anyone employed two centers (one top and bottom of screen, or placed the center and fronts behind the screen?

I know this is asking alot in one post, but I am ordering the system at the first of December, so I need some direction and advice.

Thanks,

Michael

Any chance of an M60 center behind the screen. The one and only time I did run a M60 center with my M80s it was quite a bit better than the M22 or VP series.

I am not the greatest expert in construction, but aren't your room dimensions problematic for echo and stuff (2x1)?

I have the seats approximately 70% back from the front and a 9' wide bar at the back wall (opposite the screen). I also have two six" wide "columns" designed into the side walls so that the sound is retained in the first 2/3rds of the room. I.e. - the rear surrounds will be 21' from the screen, and the center surrounds will be 13' or so back. The back 10' of the room will be a bar area with all the speakers in front of it. Thanks for the thoughts, and thank goodness I had someone get with me on the deminisions before I started.

Cool! BTW, with Axiom, there is no way you can be disapointed and you will be the envy all of your visitors.

If you play a lot of music, I would recommend to you floorstanding, but if your room is mostly for HT, then M22 are an inexpensive alternative if you go with EP-350 or EP-400 as subs.

If you love music, then my personal recommendation would be Epic-80/350. If you go regular, it is slightly higher than what you had planned (5% off matches 5% GST unless you live in Ontario, where I think they need to add some provicial tax). If you go factory outlet, then you'll be right on!

For the extra $400 the EP500 is suppose to be worth it and is certainly worth the extra $120 over the EP400, hands down in a multi use scheme like most of us run. EP400 is strictly for music in my books.

1. Build in the wires for 7.1 now...buy speakers later.

2. I have no direct experience with this so I don't know.

3. Since you want a great system, you should buy 80s. They are a glorious speaker that no one should be without.

4. I've heard the 150 (which I own), the 100, and M22s in various configurations. The best I've heard is M44s.

5. One 600 or dual 500s is what you need. If all you care about is good bass within a limited aread (ie. the sweet spot) get a 600. If you want more even bass throughout a larger area, go with two 500s.

So we have now bumped him up from the EP350 to Dual EP500 Boy, we can sure spend other people's money around here

Yes. According to his bduget, he will now have to settle for 2 M2s as front and 2 EP-500. I sure hope he prefers tremendous bass to surround ambiance...

Tex's point 3 is the most important!

Actually Jason, you are saving him money ... if he bought the 350 and then upgraded (we know he will) to the dual 500s you then saved him the loss on the 350 that he would have had to unload somewhere.

Economically speaking, you guys are great.

Jason, we simply want others to be as content as we are .

Yeah Eric, I like them so much that I've moved my office to the A/V area just so I can be close to them. I'm listening to them right now and I can't get any work done. I may buy another set to put on top of my desk .

Rick, you're right. He needs dual 600s to really nip that upgrade bug .

Shouldn't that be 4 EP600's