On a budget. How does this setup sound to you guys:


Reciever: Panasonic XR50 (not yet released, 2 weeks, replacing the xr45)

L/R: Axiom m2
C: Axiom C100
Sub: HSU STF-2

RR/RL (using some of my brothers older speakers when i get around to 5.1, i don't really have the space currently. Would upgrade when i had the space/probably qs4's)

total cost is around 1250 including an interconnect, and i have plenty of 16gauge speaker cable.

Sounds like a great plan to me. I have a pair of M2i's that I use in my game room. Very clear, clean sound.

Depending on how long your run will be, you may want to find some inexpensive 12 gauge cable, but if the runs remain fairly short that 16 gauge will work fine.

I have a lot of forum experience.

The reason I was going with 2 is that the panasonic has trouble choking down 12 or 14 gauge, 16 seems easy, and I don't have that much distance between runs.

although L/R can use binding posts.

bump

anymore feedback?

mostly HT (80/20)

looking to keep it under 1500 total (after a pair of rears, be right about 1500)

How big is the room? And I agree that the QS4's would indeed be the surrounds of choice for this setup.

see, I'm not sure (planning on moving in august)

but currently the room is 9x 18

(although i could move it to a 10x10 room)

don't expect the move will increase the size.

low ceilings in the current room.

I don't think anybody here is going to have anything bad to say about the speakers you have selected. Our ongoing commitment to this forum speaks volumes about our allegiances to the Axiom line. Even a cursory look through past threads will yield nearly universal support for the M2. Likewise, the VP100 center gets high marks, only occasionally suffering when compared to the VP150. The Hsu is revered, even by people other than Craig.

So the only question becomes, at your budget, is the Panasonic the right choice? I don't know that model. Many people suggest that you should shop for features and price in a receiver. Any of the mainstream brands (Yamaha, HK, Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc.) probably provide excellent choices.

You'll be delighted with that speaker setup for many, many years to come. It pays to invest in quality.

I'm assuming you meant the VP100 center channel? If so, then the M2i mains, VP100 center and QS4 surrounds paired with that Hsu STF-2 sub will blow your mind in a room that size.

BTW...why that panasonic receiver? Is it because it's really small, or because it's $300?

If it's the price, I'd recommend trying this Onkyo.

I've shopped around for recievers, the xr45 is getting rave reviews for a cheap one, xr50 is the upcoming model.

The onkyo runs hot.

if i'm going to spend more i will get the Marantz 6300, or the cambridge 540d, i'm thinking of just getting a starter reciever for now, and get pre/pro down the road if i have the space or need.

its also small, and won't take up too much room.

i was also entertaining:

The NAD 743, the denon 1804, and a few others.

that setup sounds good to me, QS4s should complete it very nicely.

If you are going 80/20 HT, then I bet (warning: fairly uninformed opinion about to proceed) that the Panasonic will work great, except for the caveat in the next paragraph. It's a digital receiver, and you're planning on going using it mainly for digital ends -- in the best way intended. If you were going SACD/DVD-A, which necessitate analog outs, phono, or even primarily music over HT, I'd have reservations about trying a new product category. But I bet you'll be very happy, based on the reviews of the XR45.

Caveat: Bass management. I seem to recall the XR45 had pretty feeble bass management options (apologies to XR45 lovers if I'm wrong here), with variable crossovers starting at 100 Hz and higher. I recall this from several reviews, and also saw this posting on the audio asylum forum knocking the XR45 for HTIB-quality bass management.

Unless the XR50 has improved bass management, with the ability to set a crossover down below 80 Hz, at least, and to 50, preferably, then I'd pass on it, and spend about the same amount getting a low powered Harmon Kardon, like the AVR-230, or one of the lesser-powered Onkyos ... or even a Yamaha-HTR series. They are heavier, and thicker, and there's a reason. More importantly, they'll deliver better long-term value (and short-term enjoyment with your expensive and great sub) than any receiver without good bass management.

I fully support the XR50 experiment, if the bass management is good. You might not think you need to worry about bass mgt, since you're using small mains, but why saddle yourself, at any price, with a product that can't handle this fundamental of HT, especially when you can get an H/K AVR 230 at Harmon Kardon Factory Direct for about $300 (or new on etronics for $350)?

You're paying for a good sub, so make sure you can use it flexibly and to its fullest.

Only other thought: It's worth it, if you can shell out $165 more, to get the M22s instead of the M2s, because they will stand you in good stead longer. You'll go from having a well regarded small bookshelf to getting an award-winning large bookshelf -- something you will probably be proud to own for 10-20 years. Costs more now, saves you more down the road.

My .02. Cheers, Bman.

S9, since you're on a tight budget, let me suggest that you consider using a third M2 vertically as the center speaker rather than a VP100(or any horizontal MTM design).As far as the receiver, if the XR-50 still has a 100Hz crossover, something slightly lower would be a bit better, but 100Hz should give acceptable results. The Hsu can handle that frequency with its own internal crossover switched out.

space and clarity is more of an issue for the center than money.

not too many low end recievers have crossovers under 100,

I'm thinking of starting with that reciever and building from there down the road,

we'll see today, g/f is seeing if she gets a deal through work on the Cambridge 540R ($600), which i like a lot as well

here's a good question:

would the vp150 be a better center over the vp100 (or would it be overpowering)

down the road i may move the m2is and the vp100 to the rear for a 6.1 but that's down the road.

which center?

Your room is plenty small enought that the VP100 would work perfectly well. I don't know that you'd gain all that much by jumping to the VP150.

Onkyos do not run hot, I've owned two of them. They run warm just like every other receiver on the market. I suppose if you stuffed it in a cabinet w/no ventilation that it would run hot but so would any other receiver.

I don't know who started this "Onkyo's run hot" stuff but it's wrong. By the way that panisonic xr45 would crossover at 100hz, kind of high for the speakers you plan to use. Anything over 80hz is localized and your sub, depending on size, may have trouble at the higher frequencies.

It might be a bit simplistic to say that 'anything over 80hz is localized'-- I've heard that a lot of folks think that THX was a bit conservative and 90-100hz isn't commonly localizable either. But your thought about matching crossover with speaker is well-taken.

Ordered: Axiom m2i, vp100, and css stands
Purchased and Recieved: Hsu STF-2
Pre-ordered: Panasonic XR50 (may change it before it ships)

75 dollars in banana clips, interconnects and a Digital Audio Connect

Don't you mean banana "plugs"? References to "banana clips" are usually found with firearm discussions...most often than not semi-automatic to automatic weapons...

Although there are those who may resort to having to guard their Axiom's after letting friends listen to them.

WhatFurrer

Hmm, perhaps it is my 80s childhood, but banana clips (for me) brings to mind the funky combs my sister would use to pull back her hair when we were kids.

jr

Yep, forgot about those...my ex-wife used to use those in her hair during that time as well....

Amazing what you will forget due to stress...

WhatFurrer

Sorry, meant banana plugs, I was at work, didn't have all the time in the world to proof read my posts, they tend to not like me surfing all day.

I remember banana clips some, Snap Braclets and Leg Warmers more.

dont forget members only jackets, friendship pins, and three stripe socks!!!

bigjohn

I wasn't old enough to experience members' only jackets.

Ah, yes...nylon to the rescue.

Don't forget parachute pants and Adam Ant.

WhatFurrer

Well,

the Stands, one speaker and the center came last night, hooked it up to and old RCA 5.1 reciever (the other m2i came today, XR50 is still on preorder, though i'm going to measure my area for the Onkyo tx-sr601 or the Pioneer 912k, or a refurb Marantz) very nice, though the sub (Hsu STF-2 was busted, and promptly returned to compusa today for a new working one.


Sounds excellent, played some TV (both Uconn games), Underworld, and parts of LOTR:TT, Matrix Reloaded, and Blade.

Can't wait for a better reciever and to properly set up the "theatre".

Thanks guys. Still wondering about that reciever question.