Axiom and Rocket mixed system?

[jahusker]

Guys,

I need some advice. I am building my basement HT which is 28' long x 16' wide x 9' tall. I am in the process of picking out speakers, I thought I had it figured out and was going to order a 7.0 system from Axiom (M80,VP150,QS8), and one or 2 of Craig's subs. Well I began seeing a recurring posts about the VP150's design and how the off axis sound is not the best. This brought me to the Bigfoot center which is supposed to be a star in its price range. And since Rockets do not have a multi pole surround I was thinking of Combining the Rocket 850, Bigfoot Center and Axiom's QS8 surrounds. Has anyone done this with good results?

Any other suggestions in this price range?

Thanks in advance!

[tomtuttle]

First, I think the whining about the VP150 is vastly overstated. Also, the VP100 is a very capable center channel speaker.

I think the QS8's are terrific, and that you'd be fine as long as you keep the L/C/R from the same manufacturer. I have heard several systems using the QS8's paired with other brands for the front and they sounded wonderful.

I own the M60's and have heard RS750's and RS850's. The Axioms are a little more forward, which I like. The finish on the stock Rockets is nicer, though.

[a-rone]

From what I have read about the QS8's is that they are a fantastic surround speaker. I have no experience with the Axioms but I'm sure they would work great mixed with the 850's and Bigfoot. Emotiva has a surround speakers that people seem to be happy with http://emotiva.com/erd1.shtm and they are half the price of the Axioms, might be worth a look. Best of luck in your shopping.

[jahusker]

Tom,

The forwardness is what originally drew me to Axiom, I like the dynamic feeling of Klipsch but it was fatiguing after a while. So I was looking for something that was forward but not as forward as the Klipsch and it sounded like Axioms were that brand...but the Axiom center has me concerned.

[cdy2179]

Tom,

The forwardness is what originally drew me to Axiom, I like the dynamic feeling of Klipsch but it was fatiguing after a while. So I was looking for something that was forward but not as forward as the Klipsch and it sounded like Axioms were that brand...but the Axiom center has me concerned.

That steered me away as well, I read to many neg reviews, and some good ones, too many unknowns????, that and the Rockets being much cheaper and real wood and the fact that I like Paradigm Studios which has a similar sound.

I also have owned Klipsch RF82 and RC62, the Klipsch ended up making my ears fall off... I'm not a klipsch guy I guess. But they did so much really well, great imaging and detail. Bass was weak without a seperate amp pushing them.

But anyways The Rockets aren't as forward as the Klipsch obviously, It's not as in your face. But they image like crazy and have a very detailed and airy midrange and highs that kinda float around the room. In two channel they are very capable of surrounding you in music. The Bigfoot is a beast and lives up to it's name, it presents voices every bit as well as the Klipsch but with more authority.

The Rockets are very hard to beat for the price, currently $999 for a pair of 850s and $299 for the Bigfoot.

If you like the Paradigm Studio 100 type sound I'd jump on them, and as for the QS8 vs Emotiva ERD-1... Audioholics has a review of the Emotiva ERD-1 and stated they outperformed their QS8s.

[woofersus]

As long as you match your front stage you have some leeway with surrounds. (Within reason, of course) The RSC200 is the star of the Rocket show just as the QS8's are the star of the Axiom show, IMHO. It makes sense to consider combining them. Of course audio tastes are highly subjective, so some like a forward sound, some like a laid back sound, some like dipole/bipole surrouds, some prefer direct radiating. You'll have to make that decision for yourself.

[Jerrin]

Guys,

I need some advice. I am building my basement HT which is 28' long x 16' wide x 9' tall. I am in the process of picking out speakers, I thought I had it figured out and was going to order a 7.0 system from Axiom (M80,VP150,QS8), and one or 2 of Craig's subs. Well I began seeing a recurring posts about the VP150's design and how the off axis sound is not the best. This brought me to the Bigfoot center which is supposed to be a star in its price range. And since Rockets do not have a multi pole surround I was thinking of Combining the Rocket 850, Bigfoot Center and Axiom's QS8 surrounds. Has anyone done this with good results?

Any other suggestions in this price range?

Thanks in advance!

Interesting system you are contemplating. It is the exact system I have had for the past 2 years. I can say that I have been very pleased with this system and have zero complaints. In fact, I'm having second thoughts about using rocket 450's for the surrounds in the basement HT, instead of the QS8s.

I originally had Axiom M60's for my fronts and thought they were good for a time. However, I was swayed into buying the Rocket 850's and bigfoot during a sale and there was a world of difference to the good. The bigfoot slaughters the VP150. No comparison to me. That said, I have heard the Rocket 300s and the emotiva surround speakers. I still prefer the QS8's. Your milage may vary of course, but I can say without hesitation that what you are thinking of will definately work.

[dvenardos]

If this is strictly a home theater I would give serious consideration to the TCA PRO-10s. Obviously, most of us have not heard these but if I was doing a dedicated home theater...

[jahusker]

I have taken notice of the Pro-10's and if they fall into my timeline I will for sure be giving them a shot.

[jahusker]

How "bright" is the Axiom compared to the Rocket? I liked the dynamics of a Klipsch speaker but it was so over the top I became fatigued after a while. I was looking for something dynamic like Klipsch w/o the fatigue....which company fits this description better?

[a-rone]

jahusker - See Craigs comments below on about the PRO-10's. These just might fit the bill for what you are looking for in a speaker.

.......OFF TO OTHER PRETTY GOOD STUFF ABOUT THE PRO-10'S

Last night, We were watching "Family Man" (a terrific Christmas movie) - in the part where Cage wakes up and is in the "glimpse world" with Tea Leoni, one can clearly hear the WAY in the background Kid's TV on downstairs ... the cartoons are quite audible, but in a subtle way.

We tried the X-Statiks, and there was nothing there.

I know there will be people who listen to the PRO-10's and because the compression driver / waveguide are visible, these people write them off as "horns".

These speakers are a personal favorite. Detail, Detail, Detail ... and yet never any fatigue.

:whoopie:

[Jerrin]

How "bright" is the Axiom compared to the Rocket? I liked the dynamics of a Klipsch speaker but it was so over the top I became fatigued after a while. I was looking for something dynamic like Klipsch w/o the fatigue....which company fits this description better?

The 60's were substantially brighter than the 850's in my room. I love the Qs8s for surrounds, but I think AV123 has better floorstanders.

[tomtuttle]

Respectfully disagree.

[jahusker]

A-rone, The Pro-10's do sound a lot like what I am looking for, except they are not floorstanding.

[Jerrin]

Did you decide on what to purchase Jahusker?