Me and my wife are actually make our last touch on our architectural plan for the new house. Of course there will be a dedicated HT room. 14wide x 13deep x 8celling. This is what i calling an average room. Budget is 5k$ for the speaker. So far i endeed like this ...

6.1 setup, a/v reciever Integra DTR-70.1

M60
VP180
2xEP500
3xQS8


Total : $5,064.31 CAD

What you guys think ?

I would suggest a bookshelf (or two) as a center channel that would be a better match for the M60's, then add another QS8.

Edit-I believe the 180 is best used in conjunction with the M80's.

Philippe, forget the 6.1 setup. If you have adequate room(say at least 4')behind the listening position for a rear sound field to form, both back surround speakers should be used in a 7.1 setup. If not, stay with 5.1.

Take a M2 or M3 over a VP180 ?
Than add a second QS8 for 7.2 ?

It wouldn't appear to be necessary to use a center as powerful as the EP180 with the M60 mains. As Cam pointed out, a center such as the M22 would be suitable and would allow more room in the budget for the full 7.1 surround setup.

Does a 7.1 setup really worth it over a 5.1 with a good frontstage like the vp180 ?

Others with more knowledge than I will chime in, but yes, that's my suggestion as I THINK the 180 is a better suited match with the M80's.

If a rear soundfield is helpful, it's helpful, regardless of what the front soundfield is.

As John said, it's dependent on the distance behind the listening position. If you have 4 feet behind it, I would say it's definitely worthwhile to go with a 7.1 setup, over a 5.1. But, if there's not much room behind the listening position, a 5.1 setup would be sufficient.

If there's not enough space behind the listening position, I would think that a 7.1 setup couldn't truly be enjoyed to its full potential.

What about just a small M2 with a pair of M80, should it be just fine than, we talking here over 600$ difference.

My couch will be at 10feet distance from the tv, so 3ft left behind.

A couple forum members have tried that very arrangement, and have posted extensive reviews about it. If I recall correctly, all of them thought that it was an excellent setup.

Hmmm.. I've got the M60 fronts with a VP150 center and people tell me on a somewhat regular basis that I should get a VP180 (same count and size of woofers in a M80)...

Well i am really speechless. Just a litle M2 as center over a vp180. Well of course i do not have a huge room so...

7.1 then :

M60
4xQS8
1xEP800
M2

Sound weird setup for total : $4,682.27 CAD

Philippe, understand that when I say 7.1, that includes using two subs(a good idea)for the .1 channel.

I believe that Axioms writeup on the VP180 says it's a good tonal match with either the M60 or the M80. The M2 would be a good tonal match with the M22. Yes, you can save money by using the M2 instead, and it might even have a good tonal match, but IMO, it's iffy.

My VP150 is always the weak link in my system, I would take the VP180

for me :-

M60
VP180
4 x QS8
2 x EP500

that would cost you CAD$5,088

or even better, get the Epic 80-800 7.1 system for CAD$5,316.20

Another vote for the VP180.

I have all three of Axiom's center channels along with a pair each of M60s and M80s and have tried different combinations and the VP180 paired with either the M80s or M60s in my estimation is a vast improvement over either the VP100 or the VP150.

Considering your 14x13' room size and my experience with my own speakers I'd go with Michael's suggestion of a pair of M60's, VP180, 4xQS8 and 2xEP500. If you *ever* think you may move to a larger room or feel the ugrade bug may bite sometime in the future I'd probably do the Epic 80-800 system also as Michael suggest.

With that room size I might even start with just a single pair of QS8s for a 5.2 system and see how it sounds before buying the second pair for a 7.2 system.

What the Rick-Dude said.

That's a diplomatic way to say I'm wrong, Nick .

Philippe, I'm obviously mistaken, sorry about that.

My suggestion of a bookshelf speaker over the 180 was also derived from taking your budget into consideration and adding another QS8 (which brings your M60's, VP180, EP500 X2, and QS8'S X4 price up to $5,342.61 CAD).

If that price increase is still viable, then that's definitely the way to go.

I too agree with Rick, but not with Mark; just cause .

I think the set up you originally proposed would sound fantastic. Set up and placement will be the key. I personally have a much larger room with M22,vp100, M3's as surrounds and and old cht10 velodyne sub, powered by a Yamaha RXV3900. Most would say to small for a 4200 sq ft room. It sounds great for both music and movies. Definitely gets loud without straining and maintains its musicality. One thing I picked up from an article by Allen was to raise the center channel 3-5db above the front speaker settings when watching movies. Makes a huge difference. Will upgrade the velodyne at some point but it does a nice job. I guess what I am saying is you will be happy using Axiom for your set up in most configurations.

Yea but.

Cam I thought whenever it was somebody else's money we're spending, budget shouldn't ever be a consideration.

Ever.

*

*Note how close the word "grin" is to the word "Grinch"? Well, I'm returning the chrome mag wheels I got you for your chair for Christmas!

I guess then i might just start with a 5.2 setup and see later if i feel that i need those "rear" speakers.

M80
VP180
2xEP500
QS8

5,125.16 CAD

What I like about the VP180 is that it is a full range speaker, it made a big difference when playing content with bass on the center channel like blu ray concerts. I really like your last setup idea.
Do you have space for a M80 as a center? That would be the best setup.

I was in the festive spirit yesterday .


Dang it, that would be sweet! Okay, I take it back.

**for now anyway**

I would think this would be Cams style.

Have you NOT seen the pimp hat, Rick?

I'm thinking the chrome wheels, purple paint job, leopard seat cover, and fuzzy dice somewhere.... and white fur...we need lots of white fur...

Good point but being the nonconformist he is the chrome wheelz seems a little, well, ordinary LOL. Of course if they where 22" then...........

Seeing how you are drafting the house plans now, is it possible to move the rear wall to give you a few more feet in depth?? My HT is 12 X 16 and I sure wish it was 14 X 18. At least yours is 14 wide, which will give you enough width for four seats across the room (if desired). I think the 13’ depth is going to drive you nuts and you probably will not have enough depth for a projector, if you planned to go that route.

Regardless of room size, stick with 7.x. The trend for movies lately is to have 7.1 channel mix. It’s better to have a few feet behind your listening position for the back channels, but any amount will work. I have roughly 3' behind my listening position and I just can’t imagine not having the QS8’s behind me. I tried 5.1 just for grins once and went into withdrawals in short order. It’s better to have more distance for the back channels, but the Q’s will work well with anything you can give them.

For the center channel, the 180 is more than you will need, but who really cares?? I’ve never heard anyone bitch and complain about excess but they sure do bitch and complain about not having enough. I’d go for it if I were you. Screw the little book shelves. I’ve gone down that road and ended up with two M22’s under my screen and then ended up adding a VP150 above the screen to play with the 22’s. Now I’m happy. If Axiom had a center speaker somewhere in-between the 180 and 150 in physical size, I’d have two of them. One under and one over my screen.

You choice of subs is a good one and the same combination I have. I did have one EP600 in my room, but it was just too damn big and it stuck out like a sore thumb. I swapped it out for two 500’s and I prefer the 500’s over the single 600. I would suggest one slight change to your plans though. Buy one 500 now and give it a whirl. If you find it lacking, buy a second 500 later. I can tell you with absolute confidence that you will be quite happy with one 500 in a room your size. After time, when the honeymoon bliss wears off, you may start to feel like something is missing in the LFE channel. At that time, buy another one.

In the end, it’s your money and your decision to live with. Just about any combination that has been suggested will put a smile on your face. But I am quite serious when I suggest that you stretch that room of yours. That’s the one thing you can not ever change, and speaking from experience, it is the one thing you will wish you had changed.

Mark, that's hilarious! Chrome wheelz-ordinary ! You guys crack me up!

22" rims would be pretty slick. I'd definitely get some looks around town if you guys had a chance to redesign my chair.

Honestly, I was looking for bigger rear tires a couple days ago..... . Believe it or not, I found studded rear tires; now how impractical is that! That is, unless you lived in an igloo, of course.

Michael this is an interesting option. Of course "remake" all the basement plan could be an option but actually wife want keep some space for herself and "her" projets too ( Just think at the bathroom itself" Does she will live with a 6x6 square... well no. But i guess i could figure something else and see if i can get those extra feet behind. I might have some official plan later this week so i'll post here with some draw.

In re: 5.1 vs. 7.1, let me throw my hat in the ring ...

7.1 is cool. But it's not the mind blowing experience (compared to 5.1 with a pair of QS8s) that 5.1 was (compared to a 2 channel stereo set up).

It's just that the QS8s are so damned good at spreading out sound that there are no gaps in the rear sound field that really REQUIRE 2 more speakers to fill in the space.

But, then again, 7.1 is fun for bragging rights. Also, you probably already bought that 7.1 receiver, and if you're like me, you want to squeeze every last sound out of it. For that reason alone, 7.1 is justifiable.

Also, your room isn't that big. Try a 7.1 setup before you go with the dual subs. You'll get plenty of deep bass with a single sub for now. Later, when the funds get replenished, you can splurge on that second sub if you think you'll need it.

My suggestion would be:

2 M60
VP150
2QS8
2M2 (rears)
1 EP500

Total price: $3400

You might also consider going with a dual Hsu Research sub setup, for about the same price as a single EP500.

If the seating is directly in front of the screen and contained within the outer edges of the main speakers then the VP180 would be my first choice, If you have seating outside the mains then you I would go with a vertical center, another M60 would be best then an M22/M2. I have heard the Vp180 with M60s and it still works very well with them, I would say equally as well as my M80s for most applications.

I thinking about moving my gears our of the room and ended with a setup like this one in a 7.1

3xM60
4xQS8
1xEP500

$3,906.21 CAD

I could also ( Since i have my 5k$ budget ) Add 3M80 over M60, but does it really worth it ? I have the feeling yes for only 500$ more

If it is worth it is really up to you and your taste. When I went for an audition at the Axiom plan I went with a friend and we compared the M60s to the M80s. Although they sound very similar, there is some differences. We both agreed that the M80s had a bit more detail/forwardness in the midrange area and a heavier bass. While I preferred that, my friend preferred the overall sound of the M60s.

I would go M80's and one sub because I have that and you can still feel the bass in your chest. I also went with QS4's for the rears and QS8's for the sides and it is awesome.

I went with VP150 but get the VP180 cause the M80's defeat that center channel with ease.JMO

Remember that the screen / display will have to be above the center speaker. That's pretty high if you run a M60 or M80 as center. And no, you do not want to run it horizontal. This is the reason I went with a pair of M22's for my center, to be able to have my screen at the proper height. I later found the center to be lacking, which is why I added the VP150 over the screen, in addition to the two M22's. I'm leaning towards an AT screen and a wall of speakers behind it for my next HT. It seams as if there is always some compromise that needs to be made with HT speaker selection. I'm not sure what the answer is, other than just being happy with whatever you have and to never open another thread on a forum filled with AV geeks who are never satisfied (yes, myself included).

My choice to have 7.1 over 5.1 has nothing to do with bragging rights. There are many discrete channel 7.1 movies out now, and it is becoming more popular all the time.

I need still to figure out my final setup, anaway i am sure i will be satified watever the setup i will endeed with.