O.k., I have gotten advise from folks on the board and Alan. I am now down to making final decisions regarding my new HT setup (not new equipment, just new location), and am obsessing. Here are my last questions:

Do any of the in/on-wall speakers Axiom sells work as surround and/or back speakers? If so, is there a noticeable difference in quality from the QS8s? If possible, I am considering among the following options:

1.A 5.1 setup with QS8s.
2.A 7.1 setup with QS8s.
3.A 5.1 setup with in/on-wall speakers as the surrounds.
4.7.1 setup with in/on-wall speakers as the surrounds and back.
5.7.1 setup with QS8s as surrounds and in/on-wall as backs.

In each case, the location of the speakers would be pretty close to what is recommended by Bose and Alan in his article. The thing that would be most "off" is the fact that the the left surround will be at a bit of a distance from the main seating area.

Frankly, my preference is option 4 or option 3, if they would give a good sound quality. (If that is an option, my next question would be how the trade-up works, as I already own 2 QS8s that are about three years old.)

To the extent it matters, the rest of my equipment is the EP350, VP150, and the M60s.

Thanks in advance for your further thoughts.

I think most people would say option 1 would give you what you want. The jump to 7.1 seems to have limited value except in certain rare circumstances. It might help to see your exact room layout.

I'm sure the in/on-wall speakers would work as surrounds. I think it all comes down to distance. Closer to the seating area, and I think the QS8s would serve you better, further away, and maybe the in/on-walls would work better. At least that's what I gather from what I've read. I've only ever had my surround speakers fairly close to the seating area.

Of course you should wait for more responses from more informed people. I was debating with what to buy for surrounds myself, as I didn't know how far my rear surrounds would be, but I finally decided to get QS8s all-around and keep them at appropriate distances by ceiling mounting them.

I haven't had time to really play with 7.1 -- I have a pair of M2s back in the "rear surround" position but not actually wired to the receiver -- but I have had a chance to do some serious QS8-vs-conventional (M2) testing and still feel the QS8s are worth every penny (and worth the extra space compared to built-ins), so my vote would be for option 1.

It's possible that a 7.1 system might add enough extra ambience to match a 5.1 QS8 system -- and in that case a 7.1 in-wall system (option 4) might be the right choice for you -- but that's the testing I have never had time to do.

I'll try to put it in simple terms:

Bookshelf speakers do ok, however, you have to be more in the sweet spot to get the full benefit. The Qs8's were designed to envelope or wrap you in the experience, as the engineers intended.

During action movies with bookshelf speakers the bullits will appear to be wizzing by you. With Qs8's they will go right through you, which would you rather experience?

I would vote for option 1. You can always add more speakers if you feel you need them, and the QS8's are designed for surround.

Also, DON'T put Alan and Bose in the same sentence if at all possible.

I vote for: yes, you are obsessing, but thats half the fun. I struggled with the subwoofer decision for the longest time. Drove myself crazy!

The QS8s are one of the highest ranked surrounds in the industry. I guess that means I vote for #1

Well I am no expert by any means, I have however had bookshelf speakers as surrounds. They were Yamaha NS A526, then I bought a pair of QS8's. The difference was huge.

I would think that the QS8's are the way to go as they are designed specifically for that purpose.

What sirquack said! So another vote for option #1. I’ve done lots of listening using both M22s and QS8s as rears in a 7.1 setup and IMO the QS8s win no contest. So I imagine they would totally blow away in/on wall speakers since the M22 is a fantastic speaker itself.

I didn’t notice a big improvement moving from 5.1 to 7.1 but I think that has a lot to do with the rear of my room being symmetrical around my seating and placing the surrounds about half way between where surround and rear placement is normally recommended. I think that the less symmetrical the sides and back of your room are to your seating the more likely you will notice a benefit from 7.1. Also, I think a large area will also benefit more from 7.1 as the rear(s) speakers seem to help anchor the rear soundstage for directional sounds the same way the center anchors the front. So as Sroode suggests try option #1 as you can always add rears later.

Having used bookshelf speakers as surrounds inthepast, the QS 8s are a big improvement. Option 1.

#1, and to make your decision easier, there really is no contest. (IMHO)

The QS8s are also by far the most flexible and forgiving in terms of placement, so since you're going to have one that is slightly out of the ideal position, the QS8s will deal with that better than a direct radiating speaker would.

Jason

One more for QS8's, option 1. I ran direct radiating speakers and the 8's are a big improvement. I still have directs out at the cabin and want to get some QS4's for out there.

Thanks everyone. The feedback makes my decision easy--Option 1. I am not a huge fan of the look of the surrounds on the wall, particularly where one will be going in the new room, but it definitely sounds like the benefit is worth the downside (which is not a huge downside in any event).

Glad to hear you've decided. You'll definitely be happy with the sound.