Am going to buy a new system. Did my research and decided on Axiom even before finding this messageboard. After reading some posts, I am more sure than ever that Axiom is the right decision - you guys are great and long live the internet.
I have a 13' x 24' living room with a 9-10' ceiling (the front speakers will be against the long side). I'll use the system to listen to music 75% of the time (blues and rock are favorites) and movies the rest. I'm thinking of getting the M60ti's, VP100, and QS4s, and buying a Denon 1804 receiver. My thinking is the the room is too small to justify the M80ti's, and I want to wall mount the surrounds and like the smaller size of the QS4s. I think a subwoofer is overkill for me. Money is not a big issue but I think this system is probably already better than my ear.
For those still interested. My current system is 25 years old and consists of a Pioneer Quadraphonic receiver and 4 Electro Voice ETR speakers that I brought unheard from a mail order house in San Luis Obispo (would love to know what happened to them) - have to say I made a good choice because I have enjoyed the system for a long time. I never thought the quadraphonic sound ever worked but I did like having the rear speakers and usually listen to music with all 4 speakers on. The foam seal on the 10' woofers has dried up and crumbled away so I have to turn the bass down or they give off some really bad sound. Surprisingly some CDs still sound great!
Thanks for any and all advice.
Jopster;
You have almost the same amount of room as I do, and I have exactly the system you are contemplating. I got M60's because I wanted kick-ass speakers to listen to music with, but I didn't feel that the size of my room justified bigger speakers than the VP100 and QS4's.
I would disagree with you on the sub issue, however. I just got a Hsu VTF-2, and it adds punch to the low end of music, but where it really shines is while watching movies...it really makes you feel as if you are part of the action. If you feel $499 is too much to spend, wait until the end of the month when Hsu releases the STF-2, which will be a lower cost alternative with almost the same performance.
I think you will be very happy with the system you are thnking about, for music as well as HT.
Mark
Mark
Thanks. That was excellent input. I was afraid that the m60s might overwhelm the other components. You do use the center or surrounds when listening to music? Do you do clinical research by any chance?
Jopster
The M60's are really incredible speakers. They shine well without a sub, but a Hsu does add some very nice depth for both music and HT. It won't sound like you have a sub - the Hsu integrates VERY well with the M60's.
I second this. Especially on music, the sub is very transparent...it just sounds like your speakers have found a lower bottom...In movies it is very obvious what the sub is doing, but not obvious that it is coming from the sub.
Mark
Yep...even in movies you'd never know you had a separate sub. The only clue would be that you know your speakers can't possibly go that low.
I've got the M60's, VP-150, QS8's and the Hsu VTF-2. Just like you, I was going to get the VP-100 and QS4's but other's on this message board advised me to spend the liitle bit extra and get the 150 center and the QS8's. Like yourself, the last real audio purchase I made was 17 years ago so I know where you're coming from. I ended up trusting the more "in-the-know" users on this site and others (audioreview.com, audiogon.com etc.). SO I did get the 150 center and the QS8 surrounds and am very glad I did. I also highly suggest you take all the advise about the Hsu and/or SVS sub's. The M60's sound great all by themselves if I push them but at lower volumn levels on my Denon AVR-2803, the Hsu sub really fills in the bottom octive! Good luck!
Bob
I also would second the QS8 recommendation, the tweeters are different on the QS4's than they are on all of the other speakers. They are a hybrid model and do not perfectly match the others. I had originally bought QS4's because of the much higher price of the QS8's but I ended up trading up to QS8's and I think they are a much more capable speaker.
Also QS8's are just as wall mountable as QS4's. I actually kept the same wall mounts I used for my QS4's and just put up the QS8's. They are actually a lot smaller in person than they are in the picture.
I have only heard the VP150 and I love it! It has a very wide sound field because of the TWWWT orientation.
I agree with others that your room is not "too small" to justify the VP150 and QS8s if your budget is flexible. I own the QS8s, and they do not look that big once wall-mounted (although it is surprisingly heavy for the size).
As for the sub, I also have to agree with others here -- a good sub make a huge difference both in music and movies. It is true that you don't have to buy a sub at the same time, though. For example, you buy the 5 main speakers and the receiver first, get yourself "used to" their sound while optimizing the placement etc, and can always order a Hsu or SVS sub a while later, knowing that you can return the sub for a minimal cost in case you decide that you don't need one. But I HIGHLY doubt that you would feel a sub is unneeded once you try one.
Great input, thanks so much to everyone. Looks like I will go with the Epic 60 system sans sub and decide on the sub later (in other words, you guys convinced me to upgrade to the QS8s). Only decision now is if I get the Denon 1804 to drive it - any input on that would be greatly appreciated.
The 1804 is a great reciever, I think it has enough power to fill your room. I would recommend emailing Alan Loft because he helped me decide on the 2803 instead of the 3803 because he said I would never need the extra power in my room. But Denon products are always great quality and have top notch features.