What do you think of this combo? I plan to use balanced cables and the Axiom Audio speakers as follows - M80ti's (pair), VS150 (pair), EP600 (1 Vertical), QS8's (Four for rear back and left/right sides) + Outlaw Audio 990 Pre/Pro and 7700 (7 ch) in a 14x14x10 room. (lxwxh) I am thinking for my room size, this should be an optimal setup. Thanks in advance for your input!!!

Nino

Looks like a good system. I have read many posts on The Outlaw Saloon about their amps and pre/pro units. Axiom and Outlaw use the same business model. The 7700 amp is made by ATI for Outlaw. It should be OK for the size of your room.

Man that's a lot of system for a smallish room.

No kidding Wid, that is one Awesome setup, just a little concerned about the smaller room. Your hair is going to stand up!

Nino, welcome. That's certainly an excellent system, but as some of the other replies have indicated, it's more both speaker and amplifier wise than would be needed. It'll work, but M60s and one of the excellent receivers available for considerably less would leave money for some other use.

Welcome Nino!

When was the last time you bought a system and when will you buy again. Are the dollars significant? Do you just want the best bang for the buck?

Thanks everyone for your quick and informative replies! I really appreciate it.

To answer some questions, my older 5.1 system (about 7 years or so already) is composed of Marantz separates (5 mono block MA-500s 125w per/ch at 8ohms, and can also be used at 4 ohms), Marantz PreAmp 5.1
AV550 (DD only, no DTS yet) and Infinity Crescendo/Kappa equivalent with a Velodyne subwoofer and will be relocated to the master bedroom to be paired with a plasma TV. The video part is an Optoma H78DC3 DLP front projector with a 110" diagonal screen. I am planning to upgrade the audio system this year since I am also remodelling and reorganizing my home theater room. The Axiom Audio+Outlaw system will cost me between 7-8K. I was also initially thinking of getting B&W speakers to pair with the Outlaws before I stumbled across Axiom's web site. However, I was concerned at the price difference which relative to my situation is significant. I've heard the new B&W Nautilus 800 series with Classe amp/preamp and really loved the sound quality but it's cost for me is just too astronomically high. I also did not want to settle for the midprice models since the sound quality was nowhere near the Nautilus line. I was hoping I could do a side by side comparison of these 2 speakers from Axiom and B&W to see how they compare sonically since I favor a non-fatiguing sound so I can listen and watch movies for hours.

Yes, I guess, with the Internet these days, I am now leaning more towards the best bang for my buck, as an example my last DVD player purchase was an Oppo Digital model and I was amazed at the video quality you got for the money nowadays...in the end, in my opinion, I think a set of the best speakers, amps, and so on would really only make a difference if I were a true audiophile with true audiophile grade components, etc. and to me that means not just the electronic components but the listening room really matters as well as a critical part of the system.

I've come to realize and accept over the years that I am not an audiophile after all to spend boatloads of money on this A/V hobby. Of course, winning the lottery may change all of that in an instant...

Nino

Oh one more thing, the reason I am getting this system is to future proof it in case my wife and I move to another house. I will definitely have a bigger dedicated HT room when that time comes. So, yes, I agree, it is overkill for the room I have now. In case, I get too big of a room in the future, I will probably need to add another EP600 and replace the surrounds with M60s or M80s. I hope Axiom will have a trade-in program by then. (hint, hint)

It sounds to me like a good plan.

Axiom M60s have been compared to B&W 703s.

Axioms are neutral and do not color the sound of your source material.

It's hard to go wrong with the ability to listen in home with all of your selections and be able to return them if they are not to your satisfaction.

Good Luck!

Sounds like Axiom is the way to go for me now. I noticed you had the EP500s. I read a review online that some folks say the EP500s synergize better with the M80's. Any insight/truth or first hand experience on this? I wonder why this would be so. I can go with the EP500s also to save some money if the sound will be close between these 2 subs. I also wanted a sub that looked like a mini fridge for a change from the boxy subs everyone's used to. Looks like a real mighty sub standing at over 3 feet tall behind the couch...bottomline, it's still the sound quality that matters to me, of course. So what do you recommend or think, EP600 or EP500? Thanks!

Nino

>>> Man that's a lot of system for a smallish room. <<<

Is it really possible to have too much system for any room, regardless of size?

Or we *could* get into the old 'size does matter' debate, but, naw ... maybe we shouldn't.

Put your system in your bedroom for now and crank it up, then you tell me.

Could you imagine a 7.2 system with some 80s a few QS8s and a couple of 600s in the bedroom?

"You and the wife watching a, ah ... 'movie' last night Rick?"

Your right, not a good idea.

I have one EP500 and it is the only sub I have ever owned. It works perfectly with any of Axioms speakers. I had thought about upgrading to an EP600 but have been advised that stacked 500s would be real interesting. I would still get 99.99% of HT LFEs

The EP600 is an absolutely stunning subwoofer! If you can afford it, go for it! You will not regret having the best subwoofer in the market today. The only drawback - it will shake the foundations of your house! :-)