I am building a home theater in my basement and I have a question about utilizing the Axiom M22i speakers. The wall that I will be projecting my screen on backs to a storage area so I would like to build niches in the wall so that I can set the front of the M22is flush with the wall. My concern is whether I would need to leave the back of the niche open to allow the port to breathe or not. I am not sure what volume of air I need to be able to move behind the speaker. Thanks

Call or email Axiom! They will have a quick answer for you.

I'd love to hear what Axiom says 'cause my initial thought is you'll do nothing but screw up the sound of the speakers.

I shot them an email and I am awaiting their reply. When I get it I will share their answer with everyone. I am assuming that I would need to leave the back open and that would negate any problems with placing them in a niche but like I said, I am not sure.

If you are dead set on this type of setup why not look at the on wall series speakers. With these you could have them almost flush with the screen without the problems you would likely encounter going with regular M22s.

Is there much difference in sound quality between the bookshelf and the on wall speakers?

I have never heard them but knowing Axiom I would be willing to bet they are at least on par with their bookshelf counterparts.

I installed a pair of the W3s in the masterbedroom several months ago. When I received them I did compare them to a pair of M3s, in my opinion once they are installed in the wall the sound is as good if not better than the M3s. Installation is very simple, and the wall bracket that is included works great. I would recommend trying the W series rather than trying to install the M22s.

I was just going to say, check with Tharkun. He has given the Architect Series speakers very high remarks on sound. If you think you want to put the speakers in the wall, I would look at them instead of putting the m22's in the wall. Also, make sure you calculate the proper locations for best sound,before you knock holes in the walls.

I really like the W sereis, and the origianl plan was to order more for the garage sound system. But since the Axioms were returned, no longer need them for that area. I may still order a pair for the front room.

If you stick the speakers in a niche you will get some funny bumps and dips in the frequency response -- exact frequency will depend on the size of the niche.

For a typical niche (a bit bigger than the speaker) the frequencies would be in the 500 to 1000 Hz range, which normally makes for a bit of a boxy sound. Note that this has nothing to do with the port, it's just related to "putting a speaker in a hole".

The last thing you want is to have the port going into one room and the woofers going into the other room -- the whole idea is that the port provides additional energy in the lower frequencies but that only works if both port and woofers are opening into the same room.

I think the in-wall speakers would work better for your application. They have the ports on the front (at the bottom, I think) so the port output blends with the speaker output.

You are correct as usual John, the ports are on the bottom of the speaker. I noticed a substantial differacne in the sound of the W3s once installed in the wall than compared to the sound when I was playing with them before they were in the wall. [

Thanks for the advice. I think I will switch over to the on wall speakers and go from there. I can't believe that folks on this board are so responsive and helpful. Again, thank you very much.

Just wait until you hear your Axioms....

Keep us posted and pics would be nice.

That's a wise choice for your application imo.

Good decision, please post pics when done

I will post pics when I finish up. I hope to start putting up drywall in a week or two.

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I can't believe that folks on this board are so responsive and helpful.

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They're not THAT nice. They expect beers!

... but what makes it all work is that we only expect beers when we are in the same town as you, and nobody ever has time to travel

So true, we have been waiting for your vist for almost a year, and I managed to get to Toronto before you made it to Tracy. lol

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but what makes it all work is that we only expect beers when we are in the same town

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Really? I always assume they'll cover the appropriate Fed-Ex charges when they receive my invoice!!!??

I have never FedEx'ed beer. That seems wasteful; besides they might drop it.

Bus Parcel Express is the way to go. I have sent a LOT of beer that way in my time...