Need help on HT Speaker Selection

[brent]

I read through the posts here frequently, have learned substantially and thought I would ask all of you for some advice. My home was prewired for 7.1 surround in an 18 ' wide x 24 ' long finished basement room with carpet, drywall, and scattered upholstered furniture, with 12 gauge speaker wire. I recently began to assemble a HT system from new and old components: Old: Mitsubishi 65" RPTV, B&K AVR 507 (150 watts x 7) and Sony CD Recorder changer and DVD player. I'm trying to keep things simple and lean more toward music listening 65% than HT viewing 35 %. New: I recently purchased two Mirage Omni 550s from Vann's to try them out. I like the spacious sound but was somewhat disappointed in the detail on music. I haven;t fully done a "break-in" as Mirage recommends but I'm skeptical that makes any difference based on the spekaer break-in articel/forum I've seen here.

However, I am considering one of three brands/systems including adding more Mirage speakers:

1. Add two more Mirage Omni 550s as rears ( what do you think about that), an Omni c150 center, Omni s8 or s10 sub and two Omni 150s as side surrounds in a 7.1 system.

2. I'm also considering the PSB Image series (probably T-55 or T-65 towers and matching PSB's in a 7.1 system; or, finally

3. One of the three Axiom Epic 80 7.1 systems.

Any opinions, comments etc on these? Or, any other brands you would recommend? Since I live in Montana the ability to audition is limited unless I drive to Denver or Spokane-not usually a great idea in winter. Thanks for any help/advice/opinions you can give me! I apologize for the long post.

 

[nick1000000]

If you can, audition them all. I know a lot of companies give you audition peridos without having to pay for shipping. Personally I would go towards the PSB's. I have heard the Mirages and I agree with you. I have not heard the Axioms though

 

[Gimpy Ric]

In my opinion, your not considering enough subwoofer(s). Thats a big room. I calculated 3456 cubic feet, with a 8' ceiling. Hsu Research has a chart and it says you need at least a $500.00 VTF-2 MK 3. But I would go bigger, as everyone here will tell you that you can never have too much subwoofer.

Also consider SVS. They make exceptional subs and have a cult like following here, as does Hsu Research.

SVS and Hsu Research

 

[3db]

Out of those three, PSB all the way

I read through the posts here frequently, have learned substantially and thought I would ask all of you for some advice. My home was prewired for 7.1 surround in an 18 ' wide x 24 ' long finished basement room with carpet, drywall, and scattered upholstered furniture, with 12 gauge speaker wire. I recently began to assemble a HT system from new and old components: Old: Mitsubishi 65" RPTV, B&K AVR 507 (150 watts x 7) and Sony CD Recorder changer and DVD player. I'm trying to keep things simple and lean more toward music listening 65% than HT viewing 35 %. New: I recently purchased two Mirage Omni 550s from Vann's to try them out. I like the spacious sound but was somewhat disappointed in the detail on music. I haven;t fully done a "break-in" as Mirage recommends but I'm skeptical that makes any difference based on the spekaer break-in articel/forum I've seen here.

However, I am considering one of three brands/systems including adding more Mirage speakers:

1. Add two more Mirage Omni 550s as rears ( what do you think about that), an Omni c150 center, Omni s8 or s10 sub and two Omni 150s as side surrounds in a 7.1 system.

2. I'm also considering the PSB Image series (probably T-55 or T-65 towers and matching PSB's in a 7.1 system; or, finally

3. One of the three Axiom Epic 80 7.1 systems.

Any opinions, comments etc on these? Or, any other brands you would recommend? Since I live in Montana the ability to audition is limited unless I drive to Denver or Spokane-not usually a great idea in winter. Thanks for any help/advice/opinions you can give me! I apologize for the long post.

I've heard the Mirahe Omnis and its a sound you either like or dislike. To me I prefer a more solid and achored image than what an omin configured speaker can provide. I've heard Axiom as well but I didn't care for the "in your face" mids and highs. Yes they are very detailed but to me they sounded a little brittle. I prefer a warmer sounding speaker, one that you have to sit down ands listen too carefully to get to know. Thats why I went the PSB route. I own the Image T45s and very few speakers in that price range can match the soundstage and image put forth by them. The treble is detailed and presented in such a way as to invite you to listen. The mids are life like and the bass is fast and musical, not your one note kind of thump. What I prefer in sound, you may not like. Your need to audition as many speakers for yourself and make up your own mind. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the PSB T65 towers probably has the edge over Axiom M80 towers, but the Axiom subwoofers have the edge over PSB's subs. So for the overall system, I would pick Axiom.

If you did not like the Mirage sound, I would not add more Mirage speakers.
Return them immediately.

 

[3db]

I think the PSB T65 towers probably has the edge over Axiom M80 towers, but the Axiom subwoofers have the edge over PSB's subs. So for the overall system, I would pick Axiom.

If you did not like the Mirage sound, I would not add more Mirage speakers.
Return them immediately.

*L* That doesn't make sense. Get the PSB speakers and get a different sub. That way the OP has the best of both worlds and doesn't have to compromise on either speaker or sub. No one says a sub has to match the rest of the speakers.

Curious though, have you heard a PSB sub? They're actually quite tight and fast but for the money, there are better values to be had.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

*L* That doesn't make sense. Get the PSB speakers and get a different sub. That way the OP has the best of both worlds and doesn't have to compromise on either speaker or sub. No one says a sub has to match the rest of the speakers.

Curious though, have you heard a PSB sub? They're actually quite tight and fast but for the money, there are better values to be had.

No, but I've heard a lot of people say that in terms of bang-for-the-buck, SVS subs, HSU, Axiom, Velodyne, etcs. are better than PSB subs.

Yeah, I agree that PSB speakers + other subs would be better value.

 

[3db]

No, but I've heard a lot of people say that in terms of bang-for-the-buck, SVS subs, HSU, Axiom, Velodyne, etcs. are better than PSB subs.

Yeah, I agree that PSB speakers + other subs would be better value.

Actually, about 3 to 4 years ago, PSB Subsonic6i absolutely crushed Velodyne and Outlaw's LFM in a sub shoot out playing both louder across a larger freq spectrum and deeper then both. Thats was 3 to 4 years ago and now both Outlaw and velodyne has gained the upper hand. When I chose my PSB sub over 6 years ago, Axiom's 10" inch model (mine is 10" as well ..no not talking porn ) just couldn't compete with the PSB sub. It was too anemic. It actually sucked.

The point I'm trying to make and i made it with the B&W vs Totem post is people need to audidition for themselves because everyone hears differently. Its not that PSB makes a bad sub. Far from it. But for the money, one can buy better performing subs.

 

[billy p]

No, but I've heard a lot of people say that in terms of bang-for-the-buck, SVS subs, HSU, Axiom, Velodyne, etcs. are better than PSB subs.

Yeah, I agree that PSB speakers + other subs would be better value.

Maybe this will help!

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/1932/test-bench-svs-sbs-01-home-theater-speaker-system.html

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/2170/test-bench-psb-g-design-home-theater-speaker-system.html

it appears the PBS has slighly less extension but much more output. But then again if you like SVS, or Hsu go for it.

 

[jostenmeat]

Actually, about 3 to 4 years ago, PSB Subsonic6i absolutely crushed Velodyne and Outlaw's LFM in a sub shoot out playing both louder across a larger freq spectrum and deeper then both. Thats was 3 to 4 years ago and now both Outlaw and velodyne has gained the upper hand. When I chose my PSB sub over 6 years ago, Axiom's 10" inch model (mine is 10" as well ..no not talking porn ) just couldn't compete with the PSB sub. It was too anemic. It actually sucked.

The point I'm trying to make and i made it with the B&W vs Totem post is people need to audidition for themselves because everyone hears differently. Its not that PSB makes a bad sub. Far from it. But for the money, one can buy better performing subs.

Im not sure if it was the 6i, but I've seen some HUUUGE Psb subs. Like way too big and ugly! However, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were fine performing units, if only going by their size and rep.

There's always going to be better, and there's always going to be a better value too... what's hot now? eD, Epik, Part Express?

 

[3db]

Im not sure if it was the 6i, but I've seen some HUUUGE Psb subs. Like way too big and ugly! However, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were fine performing units, if only going by their size and rep.

There's always going to be better, and there's always going to be a better value too... what's hot now? eD, Epik, Part Express?

Exactly.. People need to go out and audition. Its good to solicit peoples' opinions but they should also here for themselves. The last thing I'll ever do is to buy a speaker based on some review without seriously listening and comparing it to other speakers.

 

[brent]

Speaker selection help

Thanks for everyone's time in offering suggestions and comments as I consider a 7.1 music-biased system. I am adding Rockets and Swan Diva's to my original list of Axiom, PSB and have pretty much eliminated any additional Mirage Omni purchases-although their price at Vann's is certainly attractive. Any additional comments on Rockets-probably the 760 or 850s or Divas-the 5.1 or 6.1 is welcomed. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be posting additional questions on various sections here as I am an enthusiast of many decades but know very little about HT these days.

 

[mazersteven]

I am adding Rockets and Swan Diva's to my original list of Axiom, PSB and have pretty much eliminated any additional Mirage Omni purchases-although their price at Vann's is certainly attractive. Any additional comments on Rockets-probably the 760 or 850s or Divas-the 5.1 or 6.1 is welcomed.

Now we're talking. LOL