Hi everyone, I am looking into the Axiom line and wondered if anyone can help me solve a room problem. I recently moved into a new house. The old owner had installed some inexpensive MTX inwall speakers that I find quite poor in sound quality, etc. Currently I have a NAD C320BEE integrated amp hooked up to the two inwalls and a small Polk sub (PSW202). Sick of the poor sound, I hooked up a pair of JBL HLS810 bookshelf speakers to the system and was blown away by the difference. I would like to "replace" the inwalls with something from the Axiom line. Here is where the room trouble come in to play. The setup is on the second floor in a large open space that includes a living room, dining room, kitchen, and stairs coming from the first floor. To add insult to injury, the ceiling in the entire "room" is vaulted. The kitchen is divided by walls that rise up approx. 8 feet and stop. Above these walls, it is open to the ceiling a few feet further up. Directly behind my listening position is the stairway and this area only has a railing around it. (I could provide more details but my fingers are getting tired) Anwyay, what should I use with this setup? My first thought was to get a pair of M2i's and some stands. (I do not plan on replacing the Polk) Also, the price of the M2i's is more along the lines of what I planned on spending but I would spend a few more pennies if this setup would be all wrong.

Here is a quick drawing for anyone that wants to help:

Ben, I'd be inclined to say that with the PSW202 crossover set at its 80hz minimum and filling in the 40-80hz octave for the M2s that you'd have an excellent small system. The problem is the presumed size(your fingers got tired before you gave the full dimensions)of your listening area. The HLS810 with its 8"woofer and horn-loaded tweeter wasn't closely comparable to anything Axiom, but I suspect that if it filled your area satisfactorily so would the M22s. The M2s might be a bit small for your needs, but you could give them a try and switch to M22s if necessary.

I updated the pic with some dimensions if this helps anyone. (see above) Thanks for your help.

If you can afford, I would suggest the M22. By the way, given that the speakers and listening seats are placed symmetrically as shown in the diagram, I suspect that the "odd shape" of the area would only improve the acoustics as compared with a straight rectangular room.