Hello, fellow Axiom fans! This is my first post here. I've been lurking around on these boards for a while now but I finally created an account because I wanted to get some much-needed advice!

I had a set of garbage satellites and a very cheap subwoofer as my 5.1 home theater setup - all running off of a Denon 2808. So far, I have replaced the mains with M22's and I have replaced the sub with an SVS PB12+. I'm now looking to upgrade the rest of my system and this is where I'm still not sure what I want to do.

Option 1: Get a set of M60s as my front channels, move the M22s to surround, and use a VP160 as the center channel. I guess the only worry I have with this option is that I would be using the M22s as surrounds, instead of the QS8s. The M22s would be wall mounted using FMBs, off to the side and about 2 feet back from the main listening area.

Option 2: Keep the M22s for the fronts, Get some QS8s for surrounds, and get a VP160 for the center. My biggest concern with this option is how the M22s would sound with the VP160. The VP150 is not an option (I had one and while I didn't hate it, I only loved when I was sitting directly in front of it).

Any advice that anyone here on the boards could offer would be greatly appreciated!

Room size is 12 x 20 x 7.5, partially open on 1 side to 8 x 10 x 7 room.

Tommy, welcome. The combination of the M22s and PB12+ is excellent and not in need of changing. Yes, get the QS8s for the surrounds for ideal spaciousness needed in that function.

If you have the room to vertically position another M22 for a center speaker, that's highly recommended, but there should be no concern whatever about using the VP160. The horizontal dispersion and mid-range/treble is very similar to the M22.

Personally of the above options, i would go with option 2.

With one question. How much 2 channel stereo listening will you be doing with the system?


If you are primarily watching tv/movies. I think option 2 would be the best option all the way around.

dakkon,

About 75% movies and 25% music.

You might want to check whether there would be any reasonable trade up value in the M22 against the M60 or QS8. This could give you an option 3!

I agree with JohnK.

I use M22's and VP160 together with excellent results.

Hi Tommy214,

Absolutely go with option 2, no matter whether you're watching movies in 5.1 or listening to music, whether in 2-channel stereo or surround modes. A change to M60s in the front left and right channels over the M22s will not provide an improvement that's audibly significant. The addition of QS8s will deliver a stunning improvement in ambience for movies and music. And the 160 center will be an ideal center, matching the neutrality of the M22s.

Regards,
Alan

Yes, what Alan said.

Sorry it took so long to respond the the advice that was offered . . . .

I decided to listen to everyone here and go with option 2. I got my qs8's a few weeks ago and all I can say is "WOW!" I had no idea how much I was missing. I can't even begin to express the difference. I was always of the opinion that the surround channels were the least important part of my 5.1 setup - boy, was I wrong!

Now, I'm just waiting for my vp160 to arrive (hurry up, Axiom!). I'm really looking forward to hearing how much of an improvement it brings, compared to the first generation vp150 that I just got rid of.

Thanks for the help! It was very much appreciated!

Welcome to the world of HT. I still remember the wow moments when I first got my system.

I received my vp160 yesterday and it is AMAZING!!! I wanted to share a few initial thoughts:

1) The difference between the vp150 and v160 is night and day. The m22s and vp160 blend perfectly, giving me a wall of sound. The thing that always bothered me about the vp150 was that I could always tell that the dialog was coming from it, especially if I wasn't exactly centered in from of it. No matter how I positioned or adjusted, everything sounded like it came out of a box. This is no longer a problem with the vp160!

2) Even though I did the measurements beforehand and knew the specs, I don't think anything can really prepare you for how big and deep the vp160 is. I would best describe it as "chunky". It makes the vp150 and the m22s look tiny.

3) I ended up selling of my old center channel a week before the vp160 arrived. So I turned off the qs8s and watched everything in stereo mode with the m22s and svs pb12+ taking care of everything for the entire week. Wow! For anyone out there who cannot afford to upgrade their entire system at once, the m22s and a quality sub is a great place to start. Once you hear them together, even for movies, you just might not be in as big of a hurry to get the center and surrounds as you originally thought you would be!

I have the VP160 in-cabinet mounted under the TV, along with the M22 bookshelfs wall mounted. It is a seamless sounding system. And with the In-Cabinet, all you see is the front cover.

I'm glad you are enjoying your system so much. I have to say that when I compared the M22 + sub to the M60 and M80, I was quite impressed. The M80s are still a more capable speaker, but the M22 for fronts in an HT system are very, very capable.

Fred,

Eventually, I will probably get a pair of m60s for fronts (even though I really have no good reason for getting them other than "I want them!") My next immediate upgrade will be a new receiver - probably a Denon, but I've been looking at the new Pioneer Elites with the new "D3" amps.

When I did a direct A/B comparison of the M22 + sub to the M60 at Axiom (this was v2) there was no real difference to me other than the sub playing lower than the tower. I suspect it would be the same with V3.

If you want to spend some 'just because' money, I would add a second sub or upgrade to the EP800 (or similar sub with greater low end extension than your current sub).