I am currently researching components for a new high quality stereo system and Axiom speakers are high on my list.

I listen mostly to rock, pop and blues but very much appreciate good sonics, detail and well recorded material.

At this time I am trying to determine whether or not floor standing speakers such as the M60 or M80 would be
too large or overkill for my room.

My listening room has the following dimensions: 16 feet long x 11.5 feet wide x 8 feet high.

Due to locations of room openings, windows, TV and furniture my present (and future) speakers will be centered
along the longer (16 ft) wall and are about 8 feet apart and are both about 3 or 4 feet from the side walls.
The rear of each speaker is about 12 inches away from the wall (wish that was more but have limited space.)

My listening couch is located along the other 16 ft wall. This places my ears about 8 feet away from the
speakers and creates roughly an equilateral triangle between myself and the speakers.

Part of me would prefer the fuller (and more base capable) features of a floor standing speaker versus a
smaller bookshelf monitor.

1) Would the M60 or M80 be too powerful for my room?

2) With my relatively close listening position (8 feet from speakers), is 8 feet enough distance for a floor standing
speaker to adequately disperse its "sound field"?

3) Will they be too bass heavy for such a room?

4) Observing that they have rear ports (as many speakers do), is 12 inches between the rear of the speaker
and the wall too little? (Should it be 2 or 3 feet, for example?)

I would appreciate any advice or insights that forum members may have.

Ron

Welcome, Ron. I had the same exact questions six years ago and bought the M60s...not regretting them for a second!

So, the answers:

1) Not at all... they play well soft as well as cranked!

2) Eight foot will be fine!

3) Not at all! The M60s and M80s have tight, but not at all bloated, bass.

4) Twelve inches is fine. Generally, anything over 8" seems to work well for the masses!

4)

What He said.
My room is about 21x13x8 (and it opens into a kitchen and hallway). I have m80's, vp100, QS8's and an ep500. The back of my M80's are about 9" from the wall. My listening distance is about 11 feet and they sound great.

I absolutely love the m80's and couldn't imagine owning anything less.

Lmao!

You can always just get M22's and a decent sub, then close your eyes and... you got full range towers!!!

Ron, welcome. You don't mention if you're planning to use a sub. If you are, the M22s plus a good sub(such as the EP500 which I use with my M22s)would be excellent in that size listening room. If not, and you want deeper bass extension, the M60 or M80 would be the better choice. No speaker can overpower a room; you, not it, are in control of the sound level.

The speaker locations you describe sound fine; as long as the rear ports have at least a few inches of "breathing room" they can be close to the wall behind them. The more important factor is to have the center of the woofer cones at unequal distances to the three nearest room surfaces(floor and two walls)so that boundary effects don't pile up at the same frequency.

Welcome to the forums Ronnie

Is this going to be strictly for music? Do you like to watch movies?

If you are just looking for a 2 channel rig for your room the M60's or M80's would be more appropriate because they would provide you with that full range sound that you are looking for. A bookshelf speaker would not be able to provide that without the use of a subwoofer. However, if you are looking to build around a home theatre system and music system ,within your budget and room, I would look towards the M3's or M22's for your mains with 2 EP350 subwoofers, the VP100 and the QS4's for your surrounds.

I will be using the speakers 90% for stereo (2-channel) music. I will occasionally
use them for movies as well, but music is their main purpose. I don't think that I
will use a subwoofer.

Thanks for asking.

You will find the m80's to be more than satisfying without a subwoofer when listening to music. ( I haven't heard the m60 but have heard others say the same) Often times I turn my sub off when listening to CD's. However, I always have the EP500 roaring for games and movies, so if you find yourself watching more movies then you originally thought you could always add a sub in later/

If your not going to get a sub, I would recommend either the 60's or 80's...

I would recommend the M80's due to their slightly fuller range as you are not intending to use a sub, but would also say that you should consider getting a sub for HT use as they really extend that low frequency to area that floorstanders just do not reach.

If you can budget for the M80's, why would you want anything less?
They would be perfect for your music listening and if you don't want to run with a sub.
Be aware that the M80's are 4ohm speakers while the M60's are 8ohm. So if you plan to drive the M80's fairly hard, be sure you have a capable amp.

With no sub, M80s would be your best choice. The difference in bass response between the 50s and 80s is very noticeable.