I have a 5.1 system on order. (m60's Vp150 & Qs8's) Would a pair of NHT SuperZeroXU's be a good fit the rears?

www.nhthifi.com/2004/products/product_detail.asp?ProductLineID=2&ProductID=66

Hi atom,

Among U.S-designed speaker brands, NHT, along with a few others, is one of the more neutral speakers, so it should make a reasonably good timbral match with the QS8s and M60s.

The contributions of the additional channels in a 7.1 system are fairly minimal--it kind of depends on the room and setup as well--so you should be okay.

Regards,

and they ( NHT S0 XU ) are on sale at onecall.com for $138 per pair

I am not trying to highjack the thread, but I didn't want to start yet another 7.1 discussion, so...

I was inches away from pulling the trigger on 2 additional QS8s to add the rear surrounds for a 7.1 setup. But, I decided to temporarily position 2 bose 301s back there to better understand what 7.1 adds.

Now, I realize the 301s will not come close to the Qs series axioms, but I must say I have been extremely disappointed with what little the 7.1 actually adds. Could this be the speakers I'm using as a test back there ?? -- or is the mastering just not that good. Even the 6.1 ES on the Lord Of the Rings didn't knock my socks off. If someone has had a better experience with 7.1, maybe you could clue me in. I fished the speaker wire already, and have mounts up for the QS speakers...

Also, there doesn't seem to be a lot of choices in movies that utilize the format. I Admit, Direct 7 channel stereo sounds pretty good for some CDs. It seems to fill the room up, and gets VERY loud!

Sorry for the OT.


{It's been months since I got my axioms, and the novelty has yet to wear off. Unfortunately, I'm buying more DVDs and CDs to keep up...}

Bilbo,

You are correct. My polite phrase for what 7.1 adds is "a modest improvement" and, in many setups, not much. It rather depends on the room and the layout.

For larger rooms, the additional two speakers at the rear will certainly yield much better coverage. In average-size rooms, you may notice little or no difference if you are using QS8s as the main surrounds to each side.

And yes, the 7-channel stereo functions can be quite pleasant for filling the room.

Regards,

Don't forget that the most recent Dolby Pro-Logic IIx will also matrix in a rear surround effect in stereo while watching V, listening to 5.1 encoded DVDs or CDs and can produce 7 channels of listening pleasure for your music sources.

Note, however, that while the rear speakers will be "on," there is no guarantee about what ifnormation gets sent to them to play. For example, you may enjoy the idea of having a 5.1 channel DVD play in 7.1 for the added rear field ambiance, but may find that the matrixing technology ni place actually reduced localized side surroudn fields, or lessens the impact of an otherwise very well mixed 5.1 CD....

I went with a 7.1 set-up, including the RX-v750, which has DLPIIx, but have yet to get my Axioms, so can't comment on how much more "realism" the technology brings, or what it may do to interfere with the mix.

I also have a fairly small listening area, and will consider Alan's note in comparing the 5.1 to 7.1 in my system before jumping whole hog onto the band wagon.

thanks for additional info. How do you like the 750? A friend came over a few weekends ago, and was blown away by the axioms. He is building a smaller theater and so I suggested the M22's as his fronts, vp100, and the Qs4's. I recommended the Yamaha 1400. But, he wanted to spend a little less on that -- so I mentioned the 750. It looks like a great deal on paper.

Guess I can chalk up my first Axiom sale!!

The 750 is basically the same receiver as the 1400. It has more DSPs, but 10 less watt/ch. the YPAO isn't the "full" YPAO, so it doesn't adjust the frequency response up and down the frequency spectrum, but does automatically figure out speaker distance and levels for you. I think the total harmonic distortion (THD) is .04% on the 1400, but is .06% on the 750. I have no idea whether this makes a difference, but this does allow the 1400 to get the THX logo.

The 750 (which I have hooked up to my current speakers - AXIOMs are still a couple of weeks out...:( is great, though. I haven't had an opportunity to set up the 6th and 7th channels yet, but it really shines on current system - can't wait til the real deal comes in....

Good luck to ya. I'll make sure to post my thoughts when it all comes in....It's tough finding anything on the internet that says anything about it, so maybe I'll be able to add something to the mix.

Alan, Thanks for your info. It is to Axiom's and your credit that this forum is used to share knowledge and not as a marketing tool. In the end people will respect "that" over all and loyal customers will emerge and spread.