This is a 2 part question. First, for a mostly-closed room that's 20x16 feet, would 4 M1Ti speakers (2 front and rear) with a VP50 center channel and an EP125 sub be a good match, tibre-wise and everything else? Also, if I were to go with the Qs2 rear effect speakers, I can't mount them on the wall, so is there another way I can use them without losing any sort of effect? By the way, I'd be using a Harmon/Kardon AV120 or a Marantz SR4200 for power. Any input on which receiver is better?

Edited by Agent on 02/05/02 08:39 PM.

The system you are looking at is very well matched. Your only limitation will be achieving high volume levels in your room. This may not be a concern for you. We have a CSS1 stand which is designed for the QS2s if you cannot wall mount them. It has an adjustable pole so you can set the hieght anywhere up to 48". As for the recievers I have not heard any complaints from anyone about either but I have no first hand experience.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

Perhaps some background would help.....I'm currently using a JVC RX-888 amp with Cerwin Vega towers for the front, Cerwin Vega center and Sony towers for the rear. The JVC amp is rated at 100Wx5, and that setup there makes way too much noise for what I deem practical for my living room. I was hoping that the Axiom setup that I chose would not necessarily be louder, but loud enough so that I can enjoy my movies. As far as the speaker stands go, I can't go that way at all, it's either cheapo stands or I use the M1's. Would the QS2's be better or worse than the M1's if I didn't have those specific stands? Thanks again!

Without the ability to wall mount or stand mount I think the M1s would be the best choice for the surrounds. The QS2s with the down firing mid-bass would be a problem in your setup. You are definitely making the move from loud to accurate between these systems. The EP125 is an excellent sub woofer; I think it will give you what you are looking for with this system for movie watching

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

What speakers would you suggest for my living room? It's a 40W Harmon/Kardon amp, and the actual viewing area for movies is 16x16 roughly (the dining room and living room are attached) My goal is to get good sound, loud enough where I will have lots of fun with it, but stick to a very strict budget.

For your system we may want to boost up the sub-woofer a bit to get over those open areas that are not part of your listening area but are open to it. Could you tell me how large the overall space is, both the listening area and the other areas combined? Also what is the number associated with the strict budget? From here we can get your system to be as dynamic (fun) as possible while suiting your particular needs.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

My living room/dining room is roughly 16 feet long by 20 feet wide. When you're dealing with the actual living room itself, where the movies are watched from and from there alone due to the lack of seating positions, the area is effectively 16 feet long by 14 feet wide. I have my TV against one wall with my mains and all the components, and I have a couch at the other end of the room with 2 speakers on either side of it, sitting on boxes. I have to revamp my current system with one from Axiom with exactly $1000 CAN.

The best compromise for your space and budget would be the M3s, VP100, and EP125. If you go with cabinet blemish products then you will be almost at your budget number. You could then use a pair of your existing speakers for the surround channels with an eye to change those for QS4s down the road.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

I've read many reviews of the M3Ti speakers, and I was very impressed. If I were to go the blemished speaker route, would I be able to go to the authorized retailer here in Ottawa to get them, or would I have to get them direct from you. THe store offers a package price if you buy a receiver, which is what I'm doing. On top of that, I get an employee discount as well at that store. So assuming I can get the blemished speakers from them, would the package price and/or employee discount still apply?

I think that it is unfair to ask Ian to honour the individual dealers sales incentives and specials. As to if the dealer would substitute FO for regulars and still honour the incentives would be strictly up to the dealer and his/her business practices.

Regards,

BBIBH

You're right, it was unfair of me, I apologize. However, the root of the question was whether or not I could purchase the blemished speakers, regardless of what kind of discount, at the local shop, or if I had to go through them. I'm not trying to put anyone in any sort of precarious situation, I am merely trying to find out where I have to go. By the way, I was not asking Ian to honour anything, I was asking him about my local store, which in hindsight was rather silly but perhaps he could have offered some sort of insight. It's not about sales pitches or trying to worm the best price humanly possible out of anyone, it's about getting the right setup for the right room at a fair price, period.

No, if you read your post, price is the main point you are driving at, regardless of who you pointed to.

I think dealers can offer blem's, if the order them. I wonder if they get deeper discounts than the online price? After all, they have to make profit too!

Rick

If you were to read all the posts in chronological order, you would see that my main concern was which speakers to match with what surrounds, etc. Ian was kind enough to go a step beyond and try to come up with a package that would suit my budget. He asked me how much I had to work with and I told him. If asking him questions that me may or may not be able to answer about a package that was NOT affordable for me originally is a crime, well then myself and half of the free world should be arrested for trying to get what they want AT A FAIR PRICE, I'm not asking for a donation here, I realize that these companies have to make money. If I have come across as some swindler that's trying to squeeze something out of someone, I'm sorry you feel that way, it truly is unfortunate (coming from someone that works in the retail field as well).

I'm interested, as well, in the opinions of others about the Marantz SR4200, Harman Kardon AV12o and I'd also like to throw in the Onkyo TX-DS595.