Pairing 170's/340c with Axiom QS4 surrounds?

[Mag_Neato]

Do you mean "Axiom" QS4's? If those are what you meant, not sure how Axioms match sonically w/Ascends. I think the issue of direct radiating vs. dipole surrounds has been discussed somewhere on this forum. With discrete digital surrounds, the need for dipoles is not a requirement anymore, and may negatively affect the intended sound effects (no dipoles are used in actual movie theaters).

Ed

[metalaaron]

i had the axiom setup + QS8. i didn't like the way dipole surrounds operated in a 5.1 setup. especially in my room.

if you are going to 'mismatch' any speaker in a system, let it be the surrounds.

[Eddie Horton]

I've read good reviews of the QS series, but will concur with the above posts on the monopole vs. dipole issue, especially with modern movie tracks. I believe the old THX specs recommended dipoles, but monos do it for me. Add multi-channel music into the mix, and dipoles wouldn't work for me at all, but as usual.....YMMV.

[Allen42]

Oops, fixed axiom above. Thanks for the advice guys.

Ok, my next "small size" option is to use 200's instead of 170's for the surrounds.

What, exactly, do I give up with the smaller speaker?

[Lou-the-dog]

I have not heard the 200's but considering that they are going to do surround duty I REALLY doubt that you are going to give up anything at all. The only thing that might come into play is if you are considering hi-rez multi channel use then the 170's or 340's become more important. Also, if this is the case, then I would think that dipoles would not be desirable. I believe Curtis has said that Dr. Hsu (Hsu subwoofer's) prefers the 200's over the 170's.

Randy

[Allen42]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lou-the-dog&lt;BR&gt;
I believe Curtis has said that Dr. Hsu (Hsu subwoofer's) prefers the 200's over the 170's.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Randy, good thoughts, thanks. Can someone confirm the Dr. Hsu quote?

[curtis]

With me.....he said it to me when I was demoing the Ascends at his offices 1.5 years ago. He likes the more forward sound of the 200's. You might be able to just call him and ask.

-curtis

[Allen42]

Curtis,

Thanks! This makes me wonder if the much-better-WAF-for-the-space-intended 200's would be OK all the way around. What are your thoughts regarding using 200's vs 170's in a 15' square listening area? (Room is 15x20.)

-Allen

[curtis]

I'd still take the 170's.

-curtis