I'm looking at the Epic Grand Master and matching it to Harman Kardon AVR-235. Does anyone have an opinion? Will the HK receiver adequately drive the speakers? Any info/advice is appreciated.

I just bought the epic grand master system and am driving it with the H/K AVR 130 and I am very pleased with this setup. I've played movies/music up to about -15 with no audible distortion -- basically this system sounds great, and I'm sure that the 235 will sound even better.

My room size is 11x18x8 and I cannot imagine needing anything more powerful/bigger.

Please feel safe to purchase the AVR 235. From the specification of the Epic Grand Master, it doesn't look like it requires huge power to drive it. Of course, if money is no issue you can go all the way.

From my stereo experience, you need to pitch in 50% or more money to get the extra 5-10% performance. Like buyiny a car, a 1.5 litre and a 5.0 litre can achieve the same goal - to get you from point a to point b. The 5.0 litre car may bring you the power you may require (people can say it may save your life) or your self satisfaction when driving along the street (with people admiring faces). However, how often you really have to step the pedal to the bottom?

Some people may tell a difference if 2 sets of receiver are doing the comparison side by side. When people go home to listen to your system, most will soon get use to and satisfy with what they have (unless their ears have been trained to appreciate hi end equipment).

Remember, music and AV are for enjoyment. If you enjoy it, then it is a 'good' system until some 'experts' come to comment on your system oneday and you'll start wondering whether you should upgrade or not.

It is only my personal opinion and doesn't intend to insult any experts around in this forum.

Good luck to your purchase.

Thanks. Another question for you. Do you have the front speakers on stands? I noticed that Axiom stopped selling the 16" stands for the M22's. Please let me know what stands worked for you.

Yes, I noticed that they no longer sell the 16 inch stands for the M22s (I was thinking of buying them)

For now I have the speakers on some wallmart specials that work, are about the right height and were pretty cheap, but they are fairly wobbly. I will probably buy some nicer/sturdier stands in the future but for now they will do. I think the main concern with stands is getting the tweeters to around ear level -- give or take a few inches. The 22s are not really very heavy (16lbs) so you don't need anything too heavy (unless you have kids/pets that will knock them over).

A couple of places you might check are :
- Parts Express
- Racks and Stands

Also, consider getting stands you can fill with sand or shot for stability if you will be getting taller stands.

bsatter, if you're not already convinced, I'll add another vote for the HK being plenty of receiver. I have the AVR 230 and a 5.1 Polk system that is not as efficient as the Axioms. At one point shortly after I bought the system I was listening to some music that sounded great and was distortion-free and by my estimation it was "fairly loud". Ultimately, the telephone rang (about 3 feet from me), my pager went off, and my cell phone rang and I didn't notice any of these until I turned the music down and noticed all three devices showing they had gone off. Needless to say, it warmed my heart.

24 inch stands (mine are Atlantis stands) are just about perfect for the M22s.

Agreed on 24" stands, I have the 22s on 16" stands it's good, but If I had to do it again I would go to the 24"s

In reply to:

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If I had to do it again I would go to the 24"s

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screw it.. next time just get the M60's

bigjohn

I just did, last night, due Friday!!!!!