Question: I've got a limited budget and I'm trying to piece together a axiom system:

TV: Sony SXRD 60
Receiver: Denon 3806

I'm torn. I want a clear center channel so that tells me I need something like the Epic Grand Master 350. If I get floor standing speakers, that puts me over my budget.

It seems I can't get floor standing speakers, so I ask what's more important, a better sub or center?

Room is 15 x 20 and 4500 total cubic square feet.

Any ideas?

Welcome yo yo

Can you give us idea of your budget? Are you aware of the Factory Outlet? This is the path most of us have taken to save 10%, plus if you get 5 or more items you get another 5%, just like regular orders.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/factoryoutlet.html

That is a nice sized area. The 22's would work with a sub. Or you could get some 50's or 60's and use phantom mode to simulate the center, until you can afford a center. If you hold off on a sub, I think the 50's, 60's or 80's would give you better output in the bass category until you can get a sub.

2k
Yes. I'm aware of the factory outlet, but waiting 8 weeks for 10% is a long time..........

Thanks

That is true depending on what color you select. However, the norm is that they arrive sooner than the longest lead time anyway. To me getting 10 + 5% off of over a 2grand system was worth my 4 week wait...your mileage may vary.

Yo, welcome. It appears that you'd like to have floor standers if they'd fit your budget. If so, my suggestion would be to get M60s and QSs plus the sub of your choice, and to temporarily put off a separate center speaker. The M60s(or M22s)can form a "phantom" center which is "clear", but the center image will shift to the left or right as far out as the main speaker on that side if the listener wouldn't be in the center.

I think that you have "painted" yourself right into a corner. You have an excellent HDTV and a very good audio receiver. You probably have spent $5300 or more, thus far. It would be a shame to skimp on the speakers considering what you have already spent and how close you are to a really good HT system.

I think that I would wait on the sub and buy a good center.

So would you suggest:

M80ti
QS4
VP150

Put the sub off to another day?

Or:

M50 Towers
EP175 Powered Subwoofer
Pair QS4 Surrounds
VP150 Center


Your "painted in a corner" comment is close. I spent less than you listed since I have a family member that works for sony.

It begs another question:

Sony STR-DA7100ES vs. Denon 3806. I can get the Sony for about 300 bucks less than the Denon, but EVERYONE tells me that Sony sucks for audio and Denon is the way to go.

I'm close. Thanks for all your help.

Yoyo,

My room seems very similar to yours: I also have the 60" SXRD and the 3806, and I am running M60s and a V150 in the front. In addition, my room is a similar size (16'x20') but with lower ceilings (9'). Given all that, I think there is a decent chance you will find the EP175 underpowered for your room. Thus, I would go with Option #1 and save for a bigger subwoofer down the road. This might also help stave off upgraditis!

Also, don't be shy about calling/emailing Axiom for support. I was ready to purchase M80s and they talked me down to M60s.

As far as the 3806 is concerned, I am rather pleased with it. The sound quality is noticably better than my Onkyo 575x (as it should be). My biggest gripe is that the manual is not well written, so it is a little confusing trying to figure out how to operate some of the more advanced features. I've never owned a Sony receiver so I can't compare the two.

Good luck and enjoy the decision-making process!

Bill

Just my 2 cents and HO.

I have a M60ti, VP150, QS8, Velodyne DLS-4000 Sub,Yamaha RX-V2400, 65" mits in a room 15 x 18'

Sounds great and I don't feel like its a compromise. For the M60 / M80 diff you can get the QS8 and maybe a decent used sub until you are ready. My DLS-4000 was $ 299 I think it was the last one he had before the redesign. I would prefer to have an EP600 but not in my budget. If I had to wait for a sub I could live with the bass from teh M60s.

Another vote for M60 / QS8 instead of M80 / QS4. My belief is that having the extra depth in the surround channels is more meaningful than is the difference between the M60/M80. I have M60's in a very large room and am quite satisfied.

If you bought those two pairs, what does that leave you budget wise? If you could still squeeze in a decent ~$600 subwoofer, I would definitely do that before the center channel. Hsu STF-3, Outlaw LFM-1 or LFM-2 or SVS PB12-ISD are really quite good performers for the money. If you want to have matched Axioms (and get the 5 piece discount), I would consider the EP350 over the EP175; I think the latter would ultimately be a bit underpowered for your room.

I'd be tempted to give the Sony ES a shot, especially with the M60's (which have a slightly more benign load than the M80's).

I ran the M60's without a sub (and with either a phantom or a mismatched center) for quite a while. They are great.

Yo, everyone who tells you that "Sony sucks for audio" is uninformed or misinformed. Be that as it may, if the budget could take it, the 3806 should be preferred for its features.

Again, to help with the budget, if anything is to be postponed it should be the separate center speaker.

Room is 15 x 20 and 4500 total cubic square feet

__________________________________

4500/(15*20) = 15' high? It's like a church

I think that you can see from my signature block that I would recommend the VP150, M80s and QS8s. The QS8s are only $110 more than the QS4s.

You have spent a considerable sum of money thus far no matter whether it is $5300 or not. You have the makings of a GREAT HT. I just wouldn't compromise at this point. If you do, in 6 mo or a year, you will be kicking yourself. You will have upgrade fever.

Look at the frequency spectrum of the M80s. You may find that with the M80s that you can do without a sub for a while. Maybe a long while?

It's 10' at the front near the TV and 20' towards the back. It opens up to the second floor in my house. So the average is 15'

I'm leaning towards the 80s with the qs4s and the 150 center.... that puts me at 2k with upgrade in the future for the 500 sub......

my late night thoughts.....

Thanks for everyone's replies.... apreciate anyone's thoughts .......................

YYV