First of all, just want to say hi to the folks on this forum. I've lurked on and off for about a year now, I started around the time reviews starting coming for all the subwoofers in that big Ultimate Subwoofer Showdown thingy.
I guess some background info is in order. I've only recently been bitten by the hi-fi audio bug. This is problematic as I'm young, by no means a millionaire and I already have other expensive obsessions including gaming computers and custom-made boutique guitars. Woe is me.
My dad has been an audiophile since the Sixties, I figure I probably get it from him (actually, I definitely get it from him). Growing up, my mother regaled me with stories of how he once went to the doctor because he thought his hearing was going, explaining to the doctor that middle C sounded about 3dB quieter in one ear than in the other. Then there was the story about he once loaned his old Ohm Walsh speakers to their church at the time for a Christmas function, only to have the singers in the choir break out in a panic on stage because they thought an earthquake was happening.
I started on the path to enlightenment (aka the path to home theater glory) about a year ago. I picked up a cheap but well reviewed Sony A/V receiver, as well as a pair or Paradigm Cinema ADP speakers. Those speakers have actually been my main speakers ever since I got them, and they actually sound quite nice, but there's no denying that I desire a deeper level of sonic mayhem in my movie merrygoing.
Unfortunately, Paradigm is out for the a variety of reasons, even though I quite like the speakers that I already have and will become my rear speakers. I live in quite a remote place (The Yukon, if you can fathom it
). Because of that, shipping costs an arm and a leg. We do have a small boutique electronics store locally, but their markup is... significant. It wasn't such a big deal when I was buying what were ostensibly satellite speakers, but on anything bigger than that, it becomes an issue. That, and the fact that they don't even stock the newest versions of Paradigm's speakers.
The most obvious solution I've come across thus far is Axiom speakers. My dad owns an Axiom EP500 subwoofer, and it certainly brings the thunder. They seem to be a fairly well respected brand among audiophiles from the research I've been able to do. But most importantly, they ship for free.
I'm currenty looking at 2 different scenarios. First, I could go with M60 tower speakers. The alternative is if I go with M22 bookshelf speakers and associated stands, combined with an EP125 subwoofer. (Or I could wait and save for a bit to go with an EP175).
I'm certainly still a neophyte when it comes to high-end audio, but I'm eager to learn. For what it's worth, I currently live in a 1 bedroom basement suite, by myself, so I have other people in the building to consider. However, eventually I plan to own a house as well, once this stupid housing bubble bursts in my area (a house here costs as much as a house in Toronto, if you can wrap your head around that), and I want something that will serve me well into the future.
Any feedback I can get would be most welcome, be it in response to my original query, or if anyone has any alternative suggestions, I would be open to that as well. My budget to do this is currently at about $1200.
(I would have linked to the speakers I'm referring to, but I have been deemed unworthy to do so until I post a bit more.)
