Hello everyone, First time posting on any forum. I've been reading a lot of great advice but still am uncertain of what will be best for me.
I am doing a basement home theatre, 13.5 x 22 ft (7.5 ft ceiling) room with another room attached by a 4 foot open entry (10 x 15 ft (11 ft ceiling)). I plan to put the mains on the long wall and so will sit back about 9-10 ft from them.
What will be the differences in sound between the Grand Master and the Epic 50 Home Theatre. I note that surrounds and fronts are different but sub and center are same. Which system will be best for my room or do you have other suggestions? Oh yeah, I like music and HT 50-50% and listen to music like Boston, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Metallica, Erci Clapton.

Sounds like most of your music is slightly older recordings, perhaps not as well mastered. I would edge towards the Epic 50 (which is what I've got, except for the sub), but the Grand Master (M22s) is fantastic as well. A few of us did an M50/M22 comparison awhile back (here), which could be helpful to you. Bear in mind that the M50s were NOT ideally placed, and I think their sound staging is much better now. You will also get a lot of recommendataions for the M60s... which are amazing as well, I'm sure.

Thanks for the reply and the link. Is there much difference in the Qs4 vs Qs8 with regard to the systems I'm considering?

I don't know of anyone here who has had a chance to directly compare the two (it's about the only comparison we HAVEN'T done yet ).

Axiom's "simple" position is that the two sound the same except the QS8s can play louder, but there a couple of people have made comments which make me suspect that the QS4s might be a slightly better tonal match to the M3/M40/M50 and the QS8s might be a better match for M2/M22/M60/M80.

f you're wondering why we group them like that, the issue is that the 3/40/50 use a 6.5" driver to carry the midrange while the 2/22/60/80 use a 5.5" driver for the midrange, so there is a very slightly different "sound" to the two speaker families in the 3-5 KHz range. I had a chance to compare M2 and M3 and was able to hear that difference (vocals sound a tiny bit more forward on M2, some recordings sound a tiny bit smoother on M3) but the difference is quite small.

Bottom line is that the Grand Master is a tiny bit more accurate while the Epic 50 will be able to sound good at slightly higher volumes and will sound a bit "smoother" with so-so recordings because the midrange is very slightly recessed... and I imagine the people who own each of the systems would never consider giving them up for the other.

Given your musical tastes and room size I would go for the Epic 50. If you're going to upgrade anything from the basic package my guess is that your money would be better spent upgrading to an EP350 rather than upgrading to QS8s.

>>the Grand Master is a tiny bit more accurate while the Epic 50 will be able to sound good at slightly higher volumes

... and the reason people will suggest M60s is that the M60 gives you BOTH so you don't have to make the choice

Again, I think you would be real happy with the 50s.

Thanks Bridgman. I like that Canadian Flag of yours. I will probably go with the Epic 50 system. However, you had to mention the 60s didn't you. Heh! I've heard about upgraditis on this forum. Decisions... decisions!

Red,

welcome.

I would add something but the other board members wrote everything i would have.

I have had the QS4's and now own the QS8's. I did own the older version of the QS4's, though, they had a lesser tweeter, so my comparison wouldn't be worth it. I did find the QS8's had a better sound.

One thing I should mention though is that you may be able to audition some Axiom speakers if someone lives in your area. there is a post in the questions and comments sections regarding this.

good luck with your choice making process!

personally, of the two, i'd go with the 50's.

Just don't talk to BrotherBob. I think he upgraded three times before even unpacking his speakers and listening to them

And now he is getting some M80s .

Then talk to Rich-he went from M3s to M50s and has no desire to go further!!

Hi Red; this is Rich.

When we talk about upgrades, are we simply talking about spending more money, or getting what we want? That was the question I was faced with a few weeks back.

It wasen't a case of the money-it came down to my listening preferences entirely. Or more to the point, the fact that I'd had some M3s for years and was sure I had my "Speakers for Life" Then we moved into a larger house....

I opted for a familiar favorite sound rather than a potential improvement. These M50s are like the M3s in one important point: They don't know how to make a bad sound! They may not make a great recording sound brilliant like I understand the M22s and M60s do, (not to forget the M2 and M80s)but these M50s never disappoint in normal day-to-day sonic fare like analog cable,(ugh)right on up thru sacd.

Do I like my M50s? Yup, more and more each day-I listened to a couple favorite arias last night; Ever grinned from ear-to-ear and cried at the same time?!

Yeah, the M50s would be a good choice if that's where your listening interests lie.-Works for me.

Rich.