Need L/C/R recommendation for new 5.1.2 HT. Some hi-f hearing loss so dialogue clarity is important, loudness is not. New HT will use in-wall or on-wall L/C/R. Axiom has numerous options (M2, M3, M22, VP100, etc). Is there a clear (pardon the pun) winner here for clarity ? Room will be 14x14x9 with MLP about 10 ft away from TV wall. 80% movies/TV, 20% soft rock. Like this product line - hi sensit, good impedance rating, built-in backbox, good reviews, etc.

If you had not said in-wall or on-wall, I would have said M22 L/R and phantom center if MLP is not off center and if your receiver supports it. I have M22 bookshelf speakers in a much larger room. I have the VP150 center (upgraded from VP100) only because we have a wide viewing area. I would run a phantom center but we have multiple viewing positions. If I were buying a center today it would be the VP160.

I don't know how the in-wall or on-wall compare to the bookshelf speaker. The M22 bookshelf is an outstanding value with excellent clarity for any 5.1 system. I would not suggest the M3 for clarity and the M2 may not drive your room size.

So for me it would be M22 L/R and either a VP160 or a phantom center depending on viewing positions.

Another vote for M22 - probably the best fit for "clarity is important, loudness is not" (with the caveat that you are going to want some loudness no matter what).

Depending on how high up the TV will be mounted you might also have room for a vertical M22 below the TV. The VP100 is also a pretty good center, although if you are going on-wall the VP160 would be ideal (VP100 is in-wall only).

If you go with in-wall you'll probably want to cross over to the subwoofer at 100 Hz.

I have on-wall M22's for L/R and a VP150 for C and can attest that they fit the bill you are describing. I'm upgrading the C to a VP180 (because I have the room for it) but keeping the M22's. However, the VP160's design is top-notch for a medium sized room.

That's going to be nice...

I'm sure it will be However, I think the upgrade from the EP175 to the EP500 is going to be even better! This is all thanks to Axiom's trade-up program. As a bonus, I'm going to Dwight, ON to pick them up myself and get a tour

don't go for the tour on a Friday as everyone is out or not working. Found that one out for myself.

Hahaha. No, the 3 month wait has been killing me. I'm heading up on a Saturday and plan to be at Axiom on the Monday morning!

It will be worth the wait, and the drive!

To prepare, search the board for tours, visits, etc. You will find many threads over the years, with my first tour and pictures posted from 1990/1991!

Perfect... you should be suitably relaxed by the time you arrive on Monday

How the heck did I get 6000 posts ? I hardly ever post here...

Hello Daddyora,

Chiming in because I also like the on-wall set up and have made an upgrade with Axiom that made a big difference. I ran M22 on wall Fronts and VP150 on wall Center for a long time. I helped my father and brother in law with the same set up and all three of us were very happy with clarity. With the on-walls we all agreed an external sub is a MUST to get the fully desired affect from most movies. I recently moved and decided I wanted more from my center channel. I tried the VP160 (although bookshelf this time) and there is a huge difference. I was surprised at how much more depth I received. Before it felt like I could hear the characters on the screen talking at me. Now it feels like they are talking in the room with me. SO I would say start with the better center channel now because if you don't and upgrade later you will notice the huge difference and get upgradeitis like me. I'm now considering replacing my M22 with the M60 just due to the huge difference I found in upgrading the VP150 to the VP160. Although I really shouldn't because my system with the M22 fronts and VP160 sounds amazing to me. I also have 4 QS8's and 2 front in ceiling presence speakers.