I would make two modifications to Robof83’s Option 2 above if feasible for you. First switch the VP150 for another M22 if you can fit it below or above your screen, it costs less and gives you three matching front speakers. . Second (I may be wrong) but I think the price he lists is normal MSRP, I would buy factory outlet saving an additional 10%. I’ve bought all my Axiom speakers from the outlet and there was absolutely nothing wrong with any of them. The factory outlet cost for 3 M22s and 2 QS4s would be 970.90 USD shipped.
Now of the options above this would be my pick but that doesn’t mean you will like them. Your best bet is to go out and listen to speakers and note what you like and dislike about them. That might help people offer suggestions as to what might also sound similar to you. And if at all possible arrange for an in home demo so you can hear what they sound like in your own room.
A few general suggestions. Unless you must use them I’d stay away from in/on wall speakers. Enclosure size, proximity to the wall, and difficulty in fine tuning their positioning will compromise their sound quality compared to bookshelf/floor standing speakers.
If at all possible get 3 identical speakers across the front. For the same reason you don’t see people using different left/right stereo speakers you should also try to use an identical center speaker.
Unless you really prefer floor standing speakers for two channel listening, bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer will give you more for your money. They can often sound better even for music because you can position the bookshelf speakers for best imaging and the subwoofer for best bass response two things that can be sometimes be difficult to achieve simultaneously with floor standing speakers.
Also going with bookshelf speakers now doesn’t have to lock you into them forever. If you choose a manufacture that has (many do) bookshelf/floor standing speakers that are well timbre matched you could always upgrade your mains later to floor standing speakers while simultaneously upgrading your whole system to 7.1 by using the previous bookshelf mains as your surround back speakers.
Some ID manufactures have forums where you might be able to arrange a demo with an existing owner. Here is
Axiom's
A couple of other brands to consider would be Aperion which doesn’t charge you to ship them back if you don’t like them. Also Emotiva which has been getting some positive comments and seems very reasonably priced for the quality.
I can’t recommend any particular receiver (haven’t been looking lately). But one thing to consider if you’re willing to forgo a full warranty is a factory refurbished receiver. I got my factory refurbished $1,100 Denon for $850 three years ago and it’s still going strong. Something to consider if it makes the difference in getting a feature you really want.
Hope I’ve helped rather than worsened the dilemma. In the end we could all tell you what our best system at a given price point would be but you are the one who’s going to have to listen to it.
Cheers,
Dean
