Hi,

I have a Studio Reference system but need a high quality small speaker for the rears in a 7.1 system. I discovered the QS4/QS8 any thoughts on how these would match up to Studio 100 CC and ADP reference(sides). Which one woulld you pick and why? How are the Factory versions?

Hi Jessie,

Generally, Axioms QS surrounds have a pleasing timbral match to Paradigm Studio reference models (I have a number of different Paradigms of varying age and prices, including the Studio Reference 20s and ADP surrounds). The QS8s have larger woofers and 1-inch voice-coils on the tweeters (compared to 1/2-inch voice coils on the QS4s) hence the 8's have better power handling and greater bass extension--more "punch" if you will.

The controversy over multipolar vs. direct-radiating at the back for 6.1 or 7.1 continues. There are no hard rules here, but I prefer multipolar for a timbral match to my surrounds at the sides and because of the enhanced envelopment with little or no loss of directional acuity. The QS models also blend well with the Paradigm ADP surrounds.

Others prefer direct radiators.

Regards,

I'm looking at direct for reasons that have little to do with 7.1 envelopment. DVD-Audio is typically encoded with matching speakers in the rear in mind. THX prefers radiating on the sides so I can use the 7.1 system to cover the full room with radiating speakers on the side and direct in rear and then switch the rears into surround for DVD-Audio, giving me a pretty good compromise between the two.

Does the QS design not give you a quasi direct impact? I'm going to listen to the QS4 this weekend. Does the extra power really matter that much? I have a 200W/Chan Rotel for the rears/sides and center. The QS4 handles 175 max seems close enough?

Thanks for the help