I just received my Axiom set. M60/QS8/VP150, in Mansfiels Beech. Absolutely gorgeous. One problem, the M60's may be FAR too large for my room. Aesthetically they stand out a bit too much when placed in the position they will be in. Now I am thinking of swapping them for the M22's. Plus I would use the money saved on the offset (incl return shipping) to buy a higher end Sub like the SVS or HSU. Any thoughts, has anyone been faced with this dilemma? Looking for some input, thanks!!
The room is aprox, 14 x 15. Not overly large. But the problem lies in the placing of the speakers, then later adding a sub. The area surrounding the entertainment center where the TV is situated would look over crowded. This is essentially an anesthetic problem, mostly marital related. Get it!! Wife isn't too happy with the overall placement. She loves the placement of the QS8 on stands, she thought the QS8's were for the front, and the M60's were to be placed in the rear.
Is it possible to push the M60's back and out of the way when not listening, and pull them out to the proper postion when you are listening?
I'm so lucky Roger is so open minded about my HT gear.
Spiff, good to hear from ya. I actually used your advice when I decided to finally make the purchase of the Axioms, unfortunately i added to my own dliemma now!!Good idea, had that one in mind also, but NO. These speakers would go to the right and left of the entertainment center. There are two bookcases, one on each side of entertainment center which are flush with the wall behind them. This leaves me very little room to place the M60's in front of each bookcase, adjacent to the TV. This causes the M60's to slightly stick out from the entertainment center. Had there been no bookcases I could have set them back. But with 2 kids, toys,books, and assorted crap, we need the storage that the bookcases provide. If I needed to place a sub out in the open, there is even less room to accomodate this when the M60's are in place. I do have 2 cabinets that are situated underneath each side of the center. These doors are covered in white mesh. If I found a sub that would fit into one of these i can place it inside. But I was told this would not be a perfect spot for a sub. That is why i leaned a little to the SVS cylinder. Hate to return them , but maybe the M22's would afford me a less cramped look. I have heard good things about them, as i have about the M60's. My bad, I should have simply chose the 22's in the first place. Oh well, live and learn. although an expensive lesson. It will cost $130.00 to ship them back. That means the M22's would end up costing... $619.00. Speakers + Stands + return ship of M60 = $619 Tough call. But saving almost 200 that I can add to the purchase of a quality sub. NOW, instead of waiting. Once I pull apart the Ent Cntr to set up the components and speakers, I would rather not want to do again when i got a sub later on. Yeah, I can be an idiot at times!!!
Davey,
I use M22's in a 12' X 21' living room, and they push more than enough volume without distortion. If you really can't keep the M60's, I don't see any problem in you switching to the M22's.
And, if the extra savings can be put towards a better sub like an SVS or HSU, I'd doubly say go for the move to the M22's. I just switched from a budget Velodyne sub to an SVS PB1-ISD, and that was such a dramatic improvement (the SVS really is great) that I'd say go with the M22's and an SVS or HSU.
Good luck.
I feel your pain - my wife and I have always enjoyed decorating and such. All these big black boxes and a 60" silver TV in the family room don't look so hot (a friend yesterday even suggested putting the QS8s in the GARAGE and replacing them with "little white Bose cubes"!!!).
However, before you scrap the M60s you might consider some drapery or other hanging fabrics that conceal speakers and subs. Show her some pictures of fancy home theaters posted on the internet or in magazine articles - might be able to satisfy her.
Sent the M60's back tonight, I will order the M22's tomorrow along with a sub. Still need to choose one though!
It wasn't a factor of the speakers being unsightly, far from the truth. these speakers looked quite awesome. They Complimented the flooring and furniture (I chose them in Mansfield Beech, highly recommend) well. It was the size and location that presented a problem. They stuck out too far where I HAD to put them. there was no alternative spot for them. The M22's will fit nicely, a little more compact, plus with the addition of a good sub, hopefully I will not lose too much. Plus in order for me to alleviate any misgivings, I NEVER hooked up the M60's. It simply would not have worked aesthetically. From what I have read EVERYONE seems to be pleased with their M22's. I hope to join that circle soon. By the way, if you have the M22's, lay it on me which sub you have. Need the input. I will choose the SVS or HSU. Matter of which, slightly leaning towards the cylinder shaped one. Smaller footprint, althouh I can "hide" a box sub inside the entertainment unit, there is a compartment on the bottom of each side, hidden by screen mesh. A sub would fit there, but will I lose anything with it being surrounded by 3 walls?
My SVS 16-46 PCi is simply an amazing sub! The PC+ ha a higher output if you like to run your sub 4 or 5db hot. I, on the other hand, bought a Behringer DSP 1124 (BFD) and EQ'd the sub flat within +-1db in my room...it ROCKS! Not only is it fantastic, but it runs at about 1/4 volume on the sub's own volume control...and is plenty loud in my current 14X16 room. Total cost for the SVS and BFD...around $800 shipped (I got the SVS during last year's summer sale for $549 + like $30 shipping, and the BFD was on sale for $109 with free shipping. It is a little higher now.
I had the Hsu VTF-2 with my M22's. A terrific match. You can still get a cylinder sub from Hsu as well, if a cylinder is what you really want.
I own a VTF-3, have heard a VTF-2, a SVS 20-39PC+, and Hsu's cylinder, the TN1220HO.
The 1220HO is the best performing out of the all them. I thought the VTF-2 and VTF-3 were clean and tight. Well that TN1220HO is even cleaner and tighter....and has slightly more output at 16hz than the VTF-3 when used with Hsu's 500watt amp.
"I had the Hsu VTF-2 with my M22's"
What do you have now?
Not imperative that I get a cylinder, just thought the look was cool. I have a few in mind...SVS: PB1-ISD (little pricy)
25-31PCI (in price range) 20-39PCI (little more than want to spend)
HSU: VTF-2 (good price, free ship)
Those are the possibilities. I guess the VTF-2 and 25-31PCI are the front runners.
Hey Davey, Sorry to hear of your delimma but I think all of us understand to a certain extent. I'm sure you'll be happy with the M22's anyway. I thought I'd mention that when I got my VTF-2, and started readung the inclosed manual, it said and I quote "You have chosen one of the best "bang (or boom) for the buck" subwoofers in the market. As an added bonus, the VTF-2 has a very high Spouse Acceptance Factor: It can be used as an end table or placed in an entertainment center." I returned the Axiom EP-175 to get the VTF-2 and am absolutely delighted with it's performance and it sure sounds like you could use something with a high S.A.F.
The Hsu cylinder subs are pretty top-heavy from what I understand. If you get one, keep it out of the flight path of children and dogs...
You also need it on a thick rug (if standing up) or it will tap dance during explosions.
I dunno... If you glued some cardboard arms onto its sides and stuck a top hat on top, it might look pretty funny dancing around.
Sounds like the VTF-2 is your best bet. You simply can't beat it's price/performance.
Excellent!!!! Best idea I've heard all week. Better yet a cardboard arm with a pivot joint with the hand holding the tophat so that when it is really really loud the tophat pops up. You should be the next President...the world would be a happier place. You got my vote.
I don't know whether to shake your hand or to run away screaming.
Given the choice between Peter and G. Dubya, I'd vote for Peter. (Twice if I could get away with it.)
Does the same go for the SVS cylinders. Still torn between the SVS cylinder and the HSU. But what about placing the VTF-2 inside a cabinet under the wall unit, any adverse affect?.
Email Dr. Hsu and tell him what you're planning. He'll let you know the best possible solution.
www.hsuresearch.com
You must not know me as well as you think you do. Mwahahaha!
President, indeed.
Oh god, that would be scary. Unfortunately, I can't seem to think of WHY it would be scary right now...
Davey, when I first got my M80's, I spent hours trying to get the placement right. One night I came home and found that my wife had moved them! ("They stick out too far", she whined) So I spent another 45 minutes and moved them back. Next night same thing! Ugggh!! It became a real pissing match between us. Then I remembered the spikes.......
They haven't moved since!!
you better have spikes on the bottoms of your bed posts!
LOL
and a revolving door on the doghouse...
who makes the VTF-2 (my ignorance :-) )
Since this discussion began, Hsu has released their STF-2. Probably an even better deal than the previously mention VTF-2. The STF-2 is basically the VTF-2 but permanently tuned for Max Extension. (The way most people have their VTF-2's set anyway). The STF-2 is only $399!