Hi:

Question:
Will I get more Surround Sound "Bang for my Buck" if I purchase:

Epic 80 - 350 Components including:
Qty 2 each Model M80 Tower Speakers
Qty 2 each Model QS8 Surrounds
Qty 1 each Model VP150
Qty I each Model EP350
Cost: $2,884

Or

Qty 4 each Model M80 Tower Speakers
Qty 1 each Model VP150
Qty I each Model EP350
Cost: $3,826

The Price delta is $942.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Best regards,

Josey

Josey, welcome. The M80s are superb speakers, but there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to use them as surrounds. The QS8s are specifically designed to provide very widely dispersed surround sound and probably nothing else available does it as well. Use the M80s and QS8s for what each of them is designed to do and is best at. So, your first list would be my choice. I'd also consider using a vertical M22 or M2 as the center speaker if you have room to place it, for the very wide and smooth horizontal dispersion that it would provide.

I'm assuming you have a fairly standard room (11,000 cubic feet or less). Three things to consider:

1. The QS8s mounted up "high" will give you more of a theatre-like experience due to their design and location.

2. The rear M80s can be run over the entire frequency range but that may lead to bass issues (cancellations and re-enforcements). Many believe that it's best to let the sub mange the bass.

3. Your receiver may not be able to drive M80s in the front and sides.

Buy QS8s and save your money for an A1400.

JohnK:
Thank you very much for your input!

My living room has the following dimensions: 23"L x 18'W x 10'H.

The Axiom web site describes the M22 as follows:
"The award-winning M22 is Axiom's best high-performance bookshelf speaker, ideal for an average-sized room or smaller."

Do you still recommend it over the VP150 for my large room?

Thank you again.
Josey

Josey, I've never heard the VP150, but I definitely prefer an excellent speaker such as the M22, when placed vertically, to any horizontal MTM configuration for use as a center speaker.

Hi Mojo:
Thank you very much for your input.
I am curious about the A1400-8 amplifier.

If you don't turn the volume up to the point where your ears bleed, can one really appreciate the value of the A1400-8?

Best regards,
Josey

A room anywhere near 11,000 cf would be considered HUGE not standard IMO!

The vp150 is a great center channel speaker.

You need to decide for yourself how much power is enough. I listen to music at a half watt nominal which leaves me plenty of headroom with my 90W receiver. Now if you are like some others around here, you may need an A1400 per channel .

Thanks to the return policy, you might want to just A/B the VP150 vs a M22 as JohnK suggested. As is, I'd go with choice A as I've been happy with the VP150. But.. if you're free to spend that delta, bump it up to an EP500.

Or perhaps a second EP 350.

Unless you plan to listen ONLY to music (and music recorded multichannel, not just PL2 or the other algos), then the QS8 will be more satisfying.

Mojo's point number 3 is not to be taken lightly.

The alternative with the Qs8s will allow you to upgrade the sub to the EP500. THAT would be some serious bang for the buck.

After hearing the 350V3 and comparing it to my 600, I don't believe there's any reason to go beyond a 350V3.

But what about the "my model number is bigger than your model number" argument!!!

You crazy pacifist!!!

It's V3 against V2!

11,000 cu ft standard? My room is 8,000 cu ft and I think that is huge, not standard in my find.

I classified "standard" as 11,000 cubic feet or less. Rooms of this size would be well-served by M80s.

Rooms larger than 11,000 cubic feet likely need larger speakers such as line arrays.

11,0000 standard? You must use the same tape measure as the sign maker in this photo....

Well, the sign does specify the measurements as +/-. A little wiggle room.