I have been researching speakers for about a month now, I still have a bunch to learn. I am building a home theater/media room in my basement. The room will need to be more than just a "theater," and part of that will be a full built in cabinet for the front wall so the AV stuff can be hidden when not in use. the screen will retract into the cabinet as well. I do woodworking as a hobby, and part of this will be a chance to showcase my woodworking when the room is not being used for video.

But I also know I want floorstanding/full sized speakers, my dilemma has been how to 1)hide those in a cabinet but 2) build the cabinet big enough/insulated enough to not kill the speakers. Everything I read says 'don't do it.' I was starting to worry I would be stuck with in-walls or bookshelf speakers that didn't really fit what I want.

I was thrilled when I found that Axiom carries the M60/80 speakers in "In-cabinet" designs as well. Honestly, carrying these speakers as "in-cabinet" could make my day- although I still would really like to see and hear them... I know about the 30 day trial. Is the sound equivalent to the floorstanding speakers? what are the tradoff's?

My question is this: the room is 15'8" by 20' deep, with 8' ceilings, just below 2500 cubic feet by my math. I want to spend about $2500 on the speakers (5.1) system. It's a concrete slab floor that will be covered with carpet. Would a system built around the in-cabinet M60's be a good fit? I figure probably the 350 sub, the 150 center, and the surrounds. The main seating area will be ~10ft from the screen/speakers.

I can't find any specific reviews of the in-cabinet models, anyone around here have them? care to share any pics?

I'll attach a preliminary photo/sketchup model of what I want to do, although the front L/R speakers will be down near the floor to better line up with the center, and I may go ahead with the in-cabinet center speaker as well which would change the design a bit- but you get the idea.

What about the sub? I can park it in the back of the room if I need to, but in cabinet would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

From what I know, the in-cabinets have the same dimensions as the floorstanders, they just have a front baffle that is meant to be built into a cabinet. They are also front ported, but I do not believe this would have any effect on their sound

Axiom does a very good job with their in-wall and in-cabinet speakers

The website here says no compromise, I just want to be sure. They get good reviews everywhere, but I can't find a specific review of the in-cab models.

I guess it's a bit more of an issue to review an in-cab speaker, at least if we're talking professional reviews, simply due to the issues of being "installed" vs a pair of towers or bookshelfs. Should be some customer reviews out there somewhere though...

Of course the marketing dept says no compromise, but anytime you take away the ability to move your speakers, it is a compromise. If you are 'have' to put them in a cabinet, then absolutely get the speakers designed for a cabinet. But, if you have the choice, free standing is the best way to go.

Good luck with your project. I'm sure you will be happy with the Axioms.

They're a new product. I don't know of anyone on the forums that has them. Several people have the in-walls or the in/on walls (W series), and generally report very good results with those.

Buy some, get them istalled and give us a review

I'm this close to pulling the trigger. The sale newegg has right now on the Onkyo recievers is very tempting as well.

I'm going to see if I can track down anyone in the Atlanta area to listen to some Axiom speakers. I guess I need to build some test enclosures as well. I haven't built the entertainment center yet, because I want to build it custom around my speakers. I guess I could build some basic boxes and test the speakers out with the 30 day trial.

You guys don't want my review- I'm no audiophile, I'm a geek, but not an audiophile. My only comparison will be to a Panasonic $400 HTIB setup I have upstairs right now. I'm guessing any speakers I get will blow that out of the water. I'll be happy to post pics though...

Maybe Axiom will send me regular speakers and in-cab speakers and pay me to do a review???

rprice, you could ask Jollo(Joe) for an audition, he is a recent recipient of Axioms and is in Athens, I believe(don't know how close that is to you). Maybe send him a pm and, of course, a bribe of some kind of fermented beverages.

thanks for the suggestion. I'll look him up.

Also, Axiom would be happy to send you both. For a small fee of the total purchase price.

Ah, so the 'in-cabinet' speakers differ from the 'in-wall' speakers? I had thought they were one in the same.

Depends on the size of the speaker. I think the only true in-walls Axiom makes are the M2 and the M22. The VP150, M60, and M80 are all in-cabinet, since unless you live in a castle or something, you don't have walls 24 inches thick.

Could you design your cabinet so that you could pivot the speakers? It would not be the same as freestanding but it would allow you some flex.

rprice54:

Check your messages. You can come over and listen to my M80's if you would like.

Hat tip to Adrian.

Joe

Hat tip?

Dude, he only works for beer!

Maybe it was raining beer, and the tip of the hat let it roll off the brim.

Well if it were raining beer this would be a good thing. On the other hand if it were raining men, well ah........

Roll up the rim? Did someone say rrrroll up the rrrrim?

No, it's roll up for the magical mystery tour.

You steenkin' Canadastanis calm down, there is no beer, no hockey and no back bacon involved (ducks swinging ball bat).







Well, maybe some...

I'm out!

Hats off to Jollo for the audition today. Sweet setup, I'm sold!

Good to hear!

So who supplied the Cactus Juice?

The Price is Right!