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Posted By: drewmeister_sd Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/29/16 09:44 PM
Greetings all. We recently had a room built and I was finally able to get my dream home theater built. I previously had a Paradigm 5.1 system paired with a Yamaha Aventage 1040, Velodyne sub (model forgotten), and a 55" LG 4K tv.

Unfortunately my wife doesn't go for massive floor-standing speakers. As a compromise, I went with wall mounted fronts: M22s LR and a VP150 C. Left and right surrounds are in-ceiling M3s. Rears are wall-mounted QS8s. For the sub I bought the EP500. As this is a brand new room all wiring is in the wall. Video is courtesy of a 70" LG 4K.

These speakers are the most expensive I've ever purchased, so I had high expectations. They were met! This system sounds fantastic and blows away my previous system. As a test, I watched a DVD (Fury) that I had already watched on the old setup. The new speakers are so much better that I was amazed. I queued up the epic tank battle scene at the 1:18 mark and my test subjects (wife and neighbors) were blown away. It sounds so good, and the sub kicks ass!

We listen to a lot of jazz and reggae music. They sound fantastic. as does anything else.

We watched the latest Star Trek blu-ray movie and both the audio and video were stunning.

The wall mounts are in the cherry finish...The front 3 are mounted on a wood wall we distressed ourselves. My wife is extremely happy with the look.

This was a leap of faith as I had read a lot about Axiom, but had never heard them before. I am now a major fanboy and wish that I had bought some a long time ago. They sound that good.

I will post some pics for the wall of fame when I have some nice pics and time.

Oh yeah...I also bought two outside speakers with the stands for my zone 2. They sound really good as well!
Posted By: nickbuol Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/29/16 10:05 PM
First off, welcome to the family.

Secondly, thanks for your review. I think that we all experienced what you did. My Axioms were the most expensive speakers I had ever purchased too (I know that there are other speakers that are a lot more expensive). For me, that was 12 years ago. I liked them so much that I kept upgrading my system with more Axioms.

You will be in for a real treat from here on out.
Posted By: AAAA Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/29/16 10:26 PM
Great stuff. Enjoy your space!
Posted By: brendo Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 01:16 AM
I read about Axiom for months before deciding on mine. A few years ago.

Now a repeated customer. As I was so happy with mine as well.

Enjoy your fantastic setup.
Posted By: Mojo Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 01:51 AM
I am sorry to tell you the M22s and VP150 don't compare to M80s and VP160.

Time to upgrade. smile
Posted By: nickbuol Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 01:38 PM
Originally Posted By Mojo
I am sorry to tell you the M22s and VP150 don't compare to M80s and VP160.

Time to upgrade. smile


Don't you mean "M80s and VP180" LOL.

I'm loving my M60/VP180 combo for up front, but I know that had I just waited a couple of months (I pre-ordered the VP180 as an upgrade to my VP150, even though my current room was under construction and I didn't need the upgrade yet, and there was no talk of a VP160 at the time) I would have gone with the VP160 instead. A very nice center channel in capacity, and design.
Posted By: Mojo Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 02:28 PM
I've never heard the VP180 but I have heard the VP160 and the VP150 can't compare with it no matter what Craig Chase says!

Everyone who has a 150 and can fit a 160 in their space should upgrade.
Posted By: nickbuol Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 04:07 PM
^^^ +1
Posted By: Newf Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 08:00 PM
yeah I've never been happy with my 150 in my main theater, mine is rather old though, TI I think. Killer is I love how I can hang it, no need for stand. But it did fall at one point, thankfully my theater screen broke it's fall, and thick carpet saved it too. Darn mounting point failed. So lesson learned, put speaker under screen - which made it sound worse again.

I have no concerns with my onwall 150 working well with my onwalls 22's and m2's on my other setup. But the room is much smaller.

The reality is I need to get rid of my older setup because of atmos. QS8's replaced with M2 or M3 onwalls, and my center, maybe even my m80's. Honestly the M80's have been great speakers though.
Posted By: nickbuol Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 11/30/16 08:24 PM
Originally Posted By newf
The reality is I need to get rid of my older setup because of atmos. QS8's replaced with M2 or M3 onwalls, and my center, maybe even my m80's. Honestly the M80's have been great speakers though.




OK. That image is a bit much, but I think that you will love the change over for Atmos.
Posted By: bridgman Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 12/01/16 02:27 AM
Originally Posted By drewmeister_sd
Greetings all. We recently had a room built and I was finally able to get my dream home theater built. !


Sounds like a great system, glad you are really enjoying it.

The cherry wall-mount speakers in a wood wall sound really interesting - if you ever get a chance to post a picture of the fronts/TV we would love to see it.
Posted By: drewmeister_sd Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 12/03/16 01:55 AM
Here are some photos. We treated the wood ourselves. The wood was freshly milled at a lumberyard up by Yosemite. The wood was salvaged from the rim fire. My in-laws live close by yosemite and were kind enough to haul the wood down here to San Diego.

We flew in an apprentice welder for the 9'x5' barn door's metal. We were inspired by a steampunk door l saw (ironically enough) at costco. She did a great job.

We had craftsmen put the door together, install it on the custom bracket, and finish the TV wall. They are called contractors but they did a lot of custom fabrication that turned out awesome.

The room is 16.5' wide by 14' deep. Ceiling is 9' high.

Geezer butler, how do I post pics?
Posted By: bridgman Re: Axiom 7.1 system review - 12/03/16 02:40 AM
You need to push the pictures up to some picture hosting site or your ISP's local storage, then use IMG tags in your post to make them appear here.
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