Hi,
I'm planning on doing a 4.0 setup. I'm thinking either Paradigms (the original plan) but have now come across Axiom. I know this forum will be biased to Axiom but I hope for as much objectivity as possible :-)

My room is a small condo living room. The living room is only about 10 ft from fireplace to back wall. Couch is against back wall facing fireplace (tv will be above it). My ears will be only approx 7.5 to 8 ft from front of 13" deep speakers. One side of the living room is open all the way to the kitchen but the speakers will be in the (imaginary) living room border or about 10ft x 12 ft or so.

It will be a 4.0 system (so no sub). I want really good 2 channel for music, but some surround for entertaining movies. Since no sub is involved the mains need to have decent bass (not thundering though).

Im considering either Paradigm Studio 20's w/ ADP 190's. These are bookshelf that I would shelf mount (I know stands would be better though). The Studio 20's have great bass from what I've read. I've heard they are very good and detailed even at low volume (for my close proximity listening).

Now since I came across Axiom I'm thining maybe some M50's with QS4's. The M22's need to have a sub so they are out. The M60's have a bigger footprint than M50's ( Small space, grrr).

I've read the M50's really shine at louder volumes. Will I still be happy with them at low volumes (most of the time)? I think I might be too close to them at only 7.5 to 8 ft. I am able to put them 7-8 ft apart though.

About the QS4's, well they would have to go wall mounted on the back wall which the couch is against. I can spread them out apart aways, but would like to moutn them up high towards the top of my 8'8" cieling (mounted at say 8 ft) for aethetic reasons (want to put a big painting on wall behind couch and don't want to lose the visual 'flow' if I had the speakers mounted mid height up the wall. Will they still sound good up high? Especially considering the Im only 8 ft from the mains? Seems like a steep angle from the mains way up to the surrounds?

Any opinions would be great both on my consideration of the Paradigms and of the specific Axiom questions.

This is my first post here and I've spent about 6 hours reading threads in the last two days. Love it!

Thanks!

ZZ, welcome. My thought is that you would be best served by the M60s and that 2" more depth shouldn't cause you to hesitate. A common suggestion is that the surrounds be placed on the back wall in your situation, spread as widely as possible and about 3' above ear level. Many are set slightly higher than that and what you propose should work well.

Agreed. I didn't even realize that the M50s had a smaller cabinet than the M60s. Nonetheless, I would certainly think that sneaking in 2 inches of depth is doable.

Cheers,

J

To answer the question aimed directly to the M50: Yes; the M50s sound great at lower volumes.

The M50s are, of course, the more laid-back of the Axioms, but if that is the presentation someone is looking for, they are a fabulous speaker. For most TV viewing they quietly go about their business unless the programming asks them to sing out loud, and then they certainly do!! But they are just as accurate while playing softly as they are when called upon to have some real fun!
Rich.

I have my q's mounted quite high, had to clear a doorway. That would put them about 7 ft. I listen reclined with my head quite low, say 2 ft., with exceptional results. I used the FMB's and angled them down a little to give the top woofer a little more space, plus my room is pretty narrow (10 ft). I would suggest you try the q's regardless of which mains you choose.
I havn't heard the studios but I did audition monitor line last year and preferred my m3's. The studio 20's are supposed to sound similar to the m-22's FWIW.

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies!

I was wondering if sitting relatively close to the M50's (7.5 to 8 ft) would cause the soundstage and/or imaging to suffer. Any thoughts on that? I guess the M22 might be better in that area (just not enough bass I think).

What to do.....

Nah, should be fine. I was about that close to mine. They take a little careful positioning, but you should be OK.

If you are planning on watching movies with this system, I highly recommend adding a subwoofer.

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Hey guys. Thanks for the replies!

I was wondering if sitting relatively close to the M50's (7.5 to 8 ft) would cause the soundstage and/or imaging to suffer. Any thoughts on that? I guess the M22 might be better in that area (just not enough bass I think).

What to do.....

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I don't know for sure what TO do, but I sure know what NOT to do! Don't stick them in cabinets and aim one of them at the side of a fireplace if you want good imaging.
Rich.