Hey guys, due to my budget restraints, I was wondering which of these two options would be best.
1. VP100 & QS8's
Or
2. VP150 & QS4's
I have a dedicated theater room, it isn't real wide, I'd say about 11' wide, probably close to 16' deep/long. I'm kind of struggling with this decision and thought I might be able to count on you guys for some support/help.
Thanks
Sandman
Sandy, I really wouldn't know how to pick between the two options which you've listed other than to say that in your size room both the VP100 and the QS4s should be adequate. As is my preference, however, I suggest a small vertical center speaker for better horizontal dispersion, rather than any horizontally configured center. The M2 can be considered for this purpose.
Well, I will offer this;
I have never heard the VP100 - so I cannot comment on it.
I have never heard the Qs4s - so I cannot comment on them.
I own the VP150 and think is is terrific. Does it's job in a solid and competent manner.
I own a set of the Qs8s. They have made more of an improvement in my HT than just about anything that I can think of. Sure, the M60s get more work, just because I listen to alot of music, and I love 'em. But...
So far, in living with these Axioms for a couple of months, and comparing all of my pieces with everything else that I have used over the years, and trying to remember everything that I listened to while shopping for other speakers, I might just have to say that the Qs8s are one of those "Best in Class" kind of products.
All of the Axioms that I own are wonderful.
But the Qs8s are off the charts as far as value, completly crushing anything else that I listened to for hundreds more, and for the difference they have made in MY HT setup.
YMMV!!!
I'm sure the VP100 is more than good enough.
(And Heck, for all I know the Qs4's might be wonderful too!)
But the 8s are just insane!
And, to blather on even more, they are easily the most forgiving surround speakers, as far as placement goes, that I have ever had in my system.
I'd like to second the comment on a bookshelf center. I've been using one for years with great results.
Sandman, I would go with option #1. Certainly the vp100 is more than enough for that size room, unless you've got a really tall ceiling. From what I've read, the qs8's are the way to go.
I went with the VP100 and the QS8s. I chose my center because I'm basically cheap, and it did look small coming out of the box. It sure doesn't sound small, though. I was plesantly surprised. Since, I haven't heard the QS4s I can't comment. I went with the QS8s. I don't have any complaints with either of them. They're all good.
The only problem is upgradeitis. I would say either only get one of them now, or else spend the extra $100 and get the VP150 and QS8. Upgradeitis sucks, but if you have the best, it is unlikely you will have to deal with it as much. If you didnt go the best on one of them, a few months from now, you will likely be on this forum wondering if you should have went with the bigger speaker.
What kind of mains are you thinking about, and what is the distance from center to listening position ? I went with VP100 and QS8 myself but haven't heard VP150 or QS4 so can't offer much comparison.
Axiom tends to match QS4s with M3/M40/M50 and match QS8s with M22/M60/M80. I thought that was just a pricing thing but some recent comments got me thinking that there might be a better tonal match with those combinations.
There are a few posts on here comparing VP100 with VP150... the pattern seems to be that in small to mid sized rooms there is no discernable difference between them while in larger rooms the VP150 sounds more open and clear (ie it can play at higher volumes and still sound good).
If you have a very long narrow room (ie surrounds will be close but center will be far away) that is an argument for VP150 and QS4, I guess...
Bridgman,
I know the consenus to most tends to fall in favor of the M60's or the M22's, but I decided on the M50's. I've had the opportunity to hear both, the M50's and M22's, and the M22's were sweet, but I favored the M50's. Right or wrong, I can't help it. Just my taste and preferences I guess. lol
Anyways, in answer to your other questions, my room is longer than it is wide, so I guess one could say it's long and narrow, but it isn't real deep or real long, it's about 16' deep/long, and 11' wide. The distance from the center to my listening position is right around 8-9 ft. Probably about 8 1/2'.
Sandman
Since your room isn't that wide (or long really)... you'd probably do well with QS4s and a VP100 (and spend the rest of the money on tight music and loose women!)
Bren R.
I do not envy you the headache you will have when you awake, but in the meantime, sleep soundly and dream of large speakers.
I guess I have to cast another vote for "VP100 and QS4 would be just fine". I haven't heard any QS4 vs. QS8 comparisons but -- other than the way Axiom combines them in Epic systems -- all the indications are that QS4 and QS8 sound pretty much the same. I would call Axiom on this one.
I went with QS8s mostly to match driver sizes with the M2 and M60, which isn't an option with M50s anyways. I bet Axiom would sell a whole lot of centers with 2x6.5" drivers if they offered such a product, even if there was no good technical reason for making one
I'm still trying to figure out how to get my ears onto some M50s... based on what I have owned and liked over the years I think I might slightly prefer M50s over 60s myself. I'm going to borrow some M3s from a friend at work and have a listen.
Cool, well hey thanks a lot guys. I appreciate the help from all of you. I'll keep you all posted and let you know what I finally decide on.
Sandman
Decided on the M50s?-Good choice!!IMHO
May I reiterate and reinforce my previous post?:
I currently use, and have been for a number of years, been using an M3 as center. One reason being a post on this forum by a very knowledgeable and influential member of the Axiom staff. It was a few years back, but the basic gist of it was, in this persons' opinion(His, not mine)that in a comparison of the M22, M3 and VP100 as center, the M22 was best, followed by the M3, and last by the VP100. Since at that point I was already using M3s as mains, it was a simple deal to add another M3 as center, invert it, and never look back.
An interesting side note: I had been using the three M3s in this new larger house and found that the center channel, along with the mains, seemed to be over-driven quite easily when I tried to drive them at reasonable levels during action flicks. I replaced the mains with M50s, which do a great job of filling the room with no problem at all in conjunction with my new receiver. However, for some funny, but happy, reason, the M3 in center has taken on a new life as a "larger" speaker than it was with the old receiver. I'm amazed to note that the M3 is doing just fine, right where it's been for quite some time now. And I, for one couldn't be happier with this situation, as I was actually considering updating to a VP150 but was a bit nervous that I may not like the sound as well as I like the M3.
Again; this is simply my opinion-your milage may vary.
Rich.
If they made a center with two 6.5"s and a tweet?....
Now if they made it ported with the same sized enclosure as the M50s....
VP500..?(followed by a VP600??!!) Uh, VP800
I know, I know, now I'm gettin' silly
Ok guys, while I'm still contemplating which way to go for the center channel, let's focus on the surrounds for a moment. Is there anybody here who does have the QS4's who could comment and give a little insight on them.
Thanks
Sandman
BrenR has QS4s with M3s, I believe. There was a thread a few days ago where Bren said "QS4s match my M3s perfectly", Ken said "they don't match my M50s that accurately" and the conversation generally went to he** after that.
Guys, can you try again ? Nicely this time ?
Sorry, that's my bad then. I must have missed that. I apologise.
Sandman
I wonder if I should just consider purchasing a pair of M3ti's for my surrounds then to match up with the 50's.
Sandman
>>Sorry, that's my bad then. I must have missed that.
It was on someone else's thread, I'm sure...
M3s would be great surrounds and a good match to the M50s... although Bren's comments implied that the QS4s would probably be an equally good match. I guess it depends a bit on your music-to-HT mix and how big your room is. If the surrounds can be some distance off to the sides then M3s would probably be fine -- if they need to be pretty close (which I think is the case) the QS4s will be more satisfying since they won't give you that "point source" effect for the surround content.
I would go with 50s, QS4s, M3/VP100, and spend anything left over on a nice sub.
Shut up, you bas... oh wait, I'm supposed to be nice. If you bothered to read no, no be nice...
Anyway, what I said was that the pink noise sounded different on the QS4s and M50s, but that music sounded quite good, as do surround effects, especially considered that my Qs are not in the ideal position (a little too far forward and close to the ceiling).
And I don't think the conversation degenerated when Ken and I disagreed. We're probably hearing different things when we run the pink noise tests. Mounting differences, and just generally how each of us hears sound... I mean, that and he's a pasty little ba... er, uh...
Bren R.
>>And I don't think the conversation degenerated when Ken and I disagreed.
Sorry, guys. I'm just really tired. Normally I would't wave my hand vaguely in the direction of a forum and say "I think there's a post in there somewhere"