Took the plunge and have questions - Axiom Message Boards

Hi all,

Stayed up late last night and submitted my first ever 7.1 order with Axiom:

M22ti
M3i
Q8S
V100

This is partly reading thru many good postings in this forum and also taking que from audioholics.com

Now after ordering the speakers, I just noticed I have not bought any cable. What do you all recommend for cables to connect these fine speakers ? I have also ordered a Denon 3805, so these speakers will be connecting to them.

Things left on my list are sub and DVD player. I am reading the discussions pitching Axiom's against Hsu and SVS. I have yet to decide what to get.

Thanks and regards.

Hello, Straits. Welcome.

I'm not sure which straits you view, but if it is that of Juan de Fuca, we may be neighbors.

Most people around here think that, of similar gauge, copper is copper. Spools of 12/2 wire from places like PartsExpress and Blue Jeans Cable are pretty popular. Some people claim to be able to hear a difference with esoteric cables, and I am happy for them. I am quite certain that I would neither be able to discern a difference, nor place requisite value upon boutique speaker cable. Spending more money often does get you more flexible or attractive cable, however.

For a sub, get the HSU STF-2. It rocks. Literally. I have one, and it owns. Go to the HSU VTF-2 and look at all the amazing reviews it has. The STF-2(single tuning) sub is EXACTLY the same except it is just tuned to the lower extention mode from the VTF-2 (variable tuning) sub. That is what the reviewers tested on anyways, so it is the exact same performence unless you want an extra mode which you probably won't use.

For the DVD player, get this. It pretty much is the best bang for your buck you will ever get with a DVD player.

Just to add a counter point, Hsu is not the only manufacturer of good subs out there. Last night I heard the PB10 at Adam's house (thanks, dude!) and it was quite good. You can also go upmarket in either line, or have a look at Axiom's subs, especially the EP500 and 600. If you want to knock your house down...

Also, the Oppo does have the small failing in that it does not play SACDs, if that is important to you.

Thanks Tom. Years ago I used to gaze at the Straits of Johor. I'll let you do some geography search on where it is

I appreciate the information. Looks like most people would just get a spool and trim to fit, instead of getting monster cable and the sorts.

Thank you for the opportunity to learn

No need for monster cable or that ilk unless you are more interested in wasting your money than on sound.

I'll second Ken's recommendation of SVS products. I have a PB12-ISD and am very satisfied. The Hsu and Axiom subs are also excellent.

Regarding the Oppo, one other caveat I read is that ONLY the DVI output merits the stellar rating; if you must use component video output, its performance is ordinary. Denon players at all price points seem quite popular.

just an fyi, the HSU STF-2 is a great sub, but in my opinion it can't compare with the Axiom 500 or 600. I know a few people that started with the STF-2 then purchased a EP500 and ended up selling the STF-2.

For me it was important to match all of my speakers color of Mansfield Beech.

For the DVD player I would look at the Panny S97S over the Oppo, during my side by side comparisons it performed better matched with my Sanyo Z2.

Hey Straitsview, did you order from the Factory Outlet, to get the additional 10%?

The type of subwoofer depends how big your room is. There are certainly many fine choices out there.

"Denon players at all price points seem quite popular."

NOT IN MY HOUSE! I have a Denon carousel player with Farroudja, blah, blah, blah, that y'all can have real cheap.

To the original poster, any of those subs will likely be awesome. Price and looks would be the biggest factors to me. The HSU STF is also made in China (as opposed to here in the free world), if that matters to you.

Thanks for the link on the DVD player. I wonder what kind of warranty comes with an Oppo?

"What type of subwoofer depends......"

On What....

...really!

When I was running a smaller 10" driver in my sub box, it "sounded" different than the new 12 incher in the same box.

(not to worry, Messrs Thiele and Small insist that both drivers work just fine!)

Not better or worse(well maybe the new one sounds just a bit better)but they sound different than each other in some inobvious way.

If they sound different from each other, then it makes sense to assume(or presume)that the sub in whatever itteration I have, may NOT sound "like" my Axioms.

I mean, if the accoustic bass in the orchestra is made of spruce, and sounds like spruce thru my Axioms', then I don't want a sub that makes the bass sound like redwood or cedar.

Right?

.......right?

So,...what makes a better "Match"??

Does a Hsu sound like an Axiom system? Does an SVS? And which particular model sounds more "Like" Axioms?(not to mention "Which" Axioms)

...has anyone tried a Bose bass module....?

Do Axiom subs "Sound" like Axiom speakers?

I haven't(I'm embarrased to say)spent enough time around the sub forums often enough to have gotten more than just enough knowledge to become dangerous.

So,...for those actually "In the Know" how do we determine what is a good match, and why?

...and why haven't we been told these obvious truths(if they are in fact obvious)long before this??

In reply to:

I haven't(I'm embarrased to say)spent enough time around the sub forums often enough

Are there sub forums? Where?

In reply to:

just an fyi, the HSU STF-2 is a great sub, but in my opinion it can't compare with the Axiom 500 or 600. I know a few people that started with the STF-2 then purchased a EP500 and ended up selling the STF-2.

Sort of being a tad obvious here but, if a person has the money for an EP500, they would be stupid to buy an STF-2. The STF-2 is simply one of the "Best bang for the buck" subs out there, and for $400 it's a steal. The EP500, on the other hand, is almost three times as expensive ($1150)...

Kinda unfair to compair a budget sub to a very...high end sub. Give the STF-2 a chance

AVS Forum has a dedicated sub forum, and Parts Express has a chat group that knows subs quite well.

There were a couple others I located a couple years ago while "Googling" for DIY subs.

My problems all started when I "discovered" our old 16mm film projector speaker in the garage(with a 10" driver)and our oldest daughters' old Akai stereo amp with only one channel functioning, up in the attic.

Whoo Hooo!! a credible sub!!

Then our youngest grand daughter grabbed a handfull of receiver volume one evening......

Hi Sirquack, not this time, but will keep that in mind. For those who bought from FO, are you satisfied with what you get, and are they really cosmetically OK ?

If you ask most people, they have not been able to find anything cosmetically wrong with the FO stuff. All my 7.1 system came from the FO, and I have yet to find any blemish or scratch. Sometimes I wonder if they really aren't just extra inventory.

Your right Dan, I forgot the HSU was a lower priced model, and it does perform well. I just like to have everything the same. The 350 is no slouch either, I used to own one...

Yea, I'm kinda beginining to wonder how the EP350 compares to the STF-3 or similar SVS subs. I'm thinking that the EP350 plays louder...I'm not sure.