Hello to everyone.

Newbe here with hopefully a simple question. I am going to be upgrading my system in the near future and would like to do it piece by piece. I currently have Paradigm Mini Mk III up front and Titans for the rear, driven by an old Denon. I plan on buying an Outlaw 990 and their 200 wpc amp. later. Am I better off going to the axiom EP 500 with my current speakers or getting the MX80ti's? Are the towers sufficient in the bass they deliver or do I need a good sub. as well?

Thanks for the input

What sub, if any, do you have now ?

Hmm, good question, Greg. I think either product will give you certain advantages. On the one hand, you can't beat a good tower for two channel listening. On the other hand, a good sub is a must for any home theater system. Which do you prefer?

I'm not a huge fan of running a sub when I listen to music. That is just me, though, and there are others on the board who prefer running the sub. It all boils down to personal preference.

For my home theater, though, I don't think I would survive without having a good sub. Really brings a visceral feeling to the movie experience.

Unless you're room is cavernously big, the M80s should handle the bass well.

I currently do not have a sub. and my room measures 24 x 13 x 12H. Approx. 3700 cubic feet. My use will be about 70 percent movies and 30 for music. I sit 10 feet from my speakers if this helps. Would I be better with M60ti's?

I can't compare the M60s to the M80s as I have never heard the 60s.I will say you do have the room for a good set up with the M80s.If you're going from some sat speakers I would recommend getting the towers first, and of course I recommend the M80s

That's a fairly good sized room. If you're 70/30 movies to music, I'd say get the EP500 first. IMHO, I think it would make the biggest immediate difference with the movies. However, either the M80s or M60s will make an equally big difference in the sound of your system.

I don't think you'd be "better" with M60s. But, with an EP500 in the mix, I do believe they'd do fine in your room, and you wouldn't feel like you sacrificed anything by getting them. On the other hand, if you have the budget and the desire, by all means get the M80s.

Just my $.02.

I agree that going to towers is going to be a huge change in listening. I went from Bose to 60's then 80's. Get the towers, which I use without the sub for CD's. Add to 500 as you can.

If you watch a lot of movies, I would definitely vote for the sub first. The sub will make a huge difference in your movie-watching enjoyment. I rand for a while with Axiom M2s and a big SVS sub, which made a surprisingly nice combination.

Mostly movies, huh?

Cool.

Before I discovered Axiom, and before Home Theater really got off the ground, I had a little Aiwa mini-system. Front channels 40W and 20 for the rest. It did have a LFE line level output(whatever THAT was)for Dolby Pro Logic.

We got it home and fired it off with an action video on VHS. Grins popped on our faces and stayed there for quite a while; weeks perhaps!

Each main had a 7" woofer plus smaller stuff for a fairly deceint presentation!! It made music soup rather than give a good soundstage, but it was better than watching movies thru the TV speakers by factors of a bunch.

It was lots of fun

Later I found out what LFE was all about and remembered the old amp that our daughter had left in our attic that only had one functioning channel......hmmmmm......

Out in the garage also sat the old 16mm sound projector with 10" drivered full range speaker(I know it shouldn't have been left in the garage)but....hmmmmm...

...maybe the two will go together; the lame amp and 1946 speaker!!

They did!! They made even more of a difference in the movies than the whole surround sound array of five only slightly deficient Aiwa speakers!!

Bottom line?

In my humble opinion, anyway, even with less than ideal speakers, movies will still sound pretty good!! Add a Sub, and a whole new world is opened up!!

My vote also, is for a sub first!!
Rich.

Which old Denon do you have?

I have the M80's and I can tell you that they do carry good bass. Although that may depend on whether or not you can set your crossovers low. I keep my M80's set at 60hz so and they sound good.

I prefer to listen to music with my subwoofer on but once in awhile, depending on the songs, I forget to turn it on and don't really realize sometimes until I'm playing something where I know the bass should sound deeper.

Without the sub, I think you'll be pleased as long as you could set your crossovers lower. The M80's do have good range.

instead of getting the 500 only...

get the 60's from factory outlet as they'll work with your amp fine now and be plenty loud.

And get a HSU sub, vtf3 or stf3

You'll be surprised at the cost.

I have the AVR 800. It is a 5 channel dolby pro logic.

I have been googling your receiver. 60 watts per channel. I can't tell if it has sub preout or not. M60tis may have to be the way to go. Tell me more about the old Denon.

You are quite correct in that my current receiver will not be able to drive the M80's. I will first upgrade my receiver, then my speakers. Thanks to all for the comments.

Let us know how it's going!