Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Help with first HT setup/purchase

Hi folks!
I am moving from an apartment to a condo and am just setting out to decide what my HT should be. Some choices I have already made:
1. Purchased Denon AVR-2309CI
2. Will buy Samsung LN52A850 or LN46A850 (still need to figure out if the 52 is too big for my place)

I am still looking into speakers, and came across Axiom. Have read many great reviews and just need to think what would be right for my location. I have attached a picture of my new condo with as much information as I could fit in. I haven't decided where I would put the tv yet, but am considering attaching it to the wall with next to the rectangular column (the square with the 'H' on it').

With that said, I was thinking of two different choices from what Axiom offers:
1. Axiom Epic Grand Master - 175
2. EP175 + VP100 + 2 x QS8 + 2 x M60

Both configs would be within my budget, but with option 2 I may think about purchasing some components up front and adding on afterwords.

From a current situation, I live in a small junior 1 bedroom apartment and use my computer (with 5.1 sound) for music and movies. This will be my first HT, and I want to make sure it is done right while obviously not overdoing it since it is just a condo. I will be getting a Blu-ray player shortly afterwords (looking at several models, but am still probably a month away from making a decision), but the system will be used for movies and music. From a music standpoint, I have a fair mix of tastes, but tend towards alt/hard rock and guitar oriented (acoustic and electric).

So what does anyone think/recommend?

Thanks in advance.


[img]http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floorplangl2.jpg[/img]

Welcome to the forum TooManyCables

What are your room dimensions? This can give us a better idea on what setup would work best in your situation.

Cheers ,

Dr. House

Sorry, just updated my post with an image. I have all the info in there, but let me know if more is needed.

Thanks.

Do you have your heart set on towers because if I am reading that correctly (and I hope to think that I am) a pair of bookshelves like the M22v2 might do the trick. I would then use the money saved on the speakers and upgrade to the EP350 or EP500.


M22
VP150
QS4
EP350

M22
VP100
Axiom QS8
EP350

Cheers,

Dr. House

Thanks.

Towers or bookshelves, no real priority at this point. Just checking my options. From reading other posts and viewpoints, I was still a little uncertain because of my condo size. Actually had the inspection yesterday, so saw what the 'real' measurements were. Biggest concern was for maximum enjoyment with minimal interference to neighbors.

You think the M22 and EP350 would be a good combo?

The M22 and EP350 would be an amazing combo. I think no matter what you choose, if you play your movie or music really loud, there is not doubt it will probably be disruptive to your neighbours. As long as you calibrate your system with a SPL meter correcly and keep the volume knob under control you should be fine. Maybe invite them over for a few movies :).

Cheers,

Dr. House

I guess my only concern was that bookshelves may not be good enough to give you a true, deep experience.

I guess my level of loudness would be at a moderate level. My old system (again just my pc) was ok, but a lot of times I would need to turn it up really loud to get good exposure to what I was listening to: too loud would just drown things out anyway. With music, it was reasonable, and anything too loud would just become noise anyway: my pc has a nice set of Altec Lansing speakers that served their purpose but it wasn't like my small apartment could help with the experience that much. I mean, it was just a computer based system so I was never expecting a lot, but it served it's purpose.

The biggest concern I had was that whatever I choose would give me a nice range of listening options (soft to hard) while not increasing the knocks on the door to turn it down. Not that I would blast my system volume, but I want to make sure I don't loose any pleasure for those things that would call for increased volume.

Not sure if that makes sense

Another welcome TooManyCables. I agree with the doc. The M22s would do quite well in your space. When I compared the M22+EP350 to the M60 I found them to be very similar (except for the lower bass the EP350 delivered.

Some have found the M22 a little thin compered to the M60, but in a room your size I don't think that would be the case.

The EP350 is an absolute must. The 175 just dosn't deliver enough bass, even in a room your size. When listening to LOTR, the 175 at full volume did not give much rumble and shake in a 20x12x8 room. The 350 at 1/3 was quite an experience!

Check out the hearing things forum to see if there is anyone in your area that can give you an audition on either the M22 or M60.

Whatever you choose, you are in for a treat compared to the Altecs.

Cool, Thanks!

So now I am leaning towards the 22/350.

So from the original 2 Doc suggestions:
M22
VP150
QS4
EP350

M22
VP100
Axiom QS8
EP350

What are the thought on the VP150/QS4 vs VP100/QS8? Much difference or fairly equivalent?

I do not think there will be a huge difference between the two in your particular room. When it comes to timbre matching your mains with the centre channel, Axiom recommends the VP150 with the M22's. As for the QS4's and QS8's both will work great in your case. The only minor differences between the two is that the QS8's can provide more output and go a bit deeper (from what I have been told). I own the QS4 and I find them to be excellent performers in a medium sized room. The QS surrounds are something special :).

Cheers,

Dr. House