I am looking to upgrade; I have two rooms with decisions to be made on how best to proceed, price of course is a factor.

“Primary” HT – Family room is 18’ * 19’w * 13’ vaulted ceiling – 9’ walls.
Receiver: Yamaha AX-RV1200 (a bit underpowered)
Fronts: KEF Reference 103/4
Surround (Rears): KEF Q10
Center: Axiom VP150
Sub: M&K MX-90
Mitsubishi Diamond Series 55” HDTV 1080i

“Secondary” - Basement TV area is 10’ *13’w * 8’ - open to remaining basement and pool table area
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V850
Fronts: A/D/S L9e
Center: KEF Reference C90 (repurposed by purchase of VP150)
Surround (rears): None as of yet
Sub: B&W ASW650
Speaker switcher: Sonance SS6
In Walls: Boston Acoustics 381 (2 sets bar and pool table area)
Patio: Niles OS 20
Panasonic 32” – My Pioneer 45” died

I intend to purchase a 50” Plasma (considering Panasonic) for the basement. I have component video (from in wall “rack”) to the TV which had me considering a new AVR for a single connection to the Plasma and a reason to upgrade the RX-V850. I was going to utilize the multiple zones and the RX-V850 (replacing the switcher) to drive the in-wall speakers

I am considering new surrounds (Axiom QS8s) and fronts (Axiom M60s or M80s) for the family room and relocating the Kefs to the basement. This has me thinking of placing the new AVR in the primary HT and relocating the RX-V1200 to the basement. I was initially considering the Denon 2807 (for basement), but after searching and browsing the boards I decided I should listen to some AVRs. I recently compared the Yamaha RX-V2600, Denon 2807, and Pioneer Elite VSX-81TXV. We listened to 2 speaker (B&W DM 604) stereo with sub. I was very surprised at the results – rating the Pioneer first and Denon second. Since the “test-drive”, I have searched further and am thinking Pioneer VSX-82. I plan to compare the several more this weekend. I would prefer to stay around 1k for the AVR

Much background to the pose the questions for you devoted Axiom owners: If I purchased the M80s, which AVRs should be considered to drive them? I want to avoid the need for separates at this time. Would the M60s be sufficient for the size of the family room? I am very interested in hearing what M80 owners own or recommend

Thanks very much in advance for your opinions and recommendations.

Kind regards,

I....am....confused...

Its has been said many times that the M80's are easily driven by any of the reputable AVR's, Denon Onkyo Yamaha etc. I take it you like it a little loud as you say the RV1200 is a little under powered, if this is correct I would suggest using seperates as the slight increase in power output above the RXV1200 is negligble. You may want to try the HT wizard here or give Axiom a call just to see what they suggest as well.

I do feel that the M60's would do the job but the 80s are said to play louder which is why I went with them first. As for QS8's, I feel they are the best surround you can get, no problems there.

Good Luck

Dan, welcome. You do have a rather wide mix of speakers from different manufacturers. I think that I pretty much followed what you have in mind and my first thought is that the M60s would be fine for the size of your family room. Next, as to what receiver, I have to suggest that "test drives" of different receivers at audio dealers are useless. If there was any significant difference heard between the fine units that you've mentioned the strong suspicion would have to be that all factors(especially equal volume)weren't held constant. My suggestion for the M60s(or M80s)would be the new Yamaha 2700 if it fits your budget.

I recently upgraded my system to the m60's, ep350 and the Pioneer Elite vsx-84 and could not be happier. My living room is 18x13 with 8ft ceiling and the combination can play very loud and very very clean. The 84 has 140 watts vs 110 for the 81 but i don't think that difference would really matter too much. I can't speak to the sound or features of the other units, just giving my experience with the m60's and a Pioneer unit.