The Axiom Epic 60/500 is a complete 5.1 channel home theater speaker system that rivals speakers costing thousands more. Axiom is a Canadian speaker manufacturer that sells their products direct to consumers via their online web store. Axiom has a reputation for blending high quality, excellent performance, and affordable prices across their product line, and this large home theater system continues that tradition. The quality comes in part from their long-term involvement in audio research at Canada's National Research Center, while the value results from their choice to sell direct to the public via their website (www.axiomaudio.com).

The Epic 60/500 system is anchored by a pair of M60 tower speakers, for the left and right channel. These well-crafted speakers weigh 47.6 pounds each, and are offered in four standard finishes including Black Oak, Boston Cherry, Mansfield Beech and Light Maple Tan. If you are looking for more finish options, the Axiom Custom Shop offers dozens of vinyl finishes, as well as multiple real wood veneers with many different stain options. These beautiful cabinets feature dual 6-1/2-inch aluminum woofers, a single 5-1/4-inch midrange driver, and a single 1-inch titanium tweeter. The M60 can handle up to 250 watts of power, and has a frequency response of 37 - 22kHz.

The included center channel speaker is Axiom's VP150, which sports a triple aluminum woofer array coupled with dual titanium tweeters. The cabinet weighs 21.8 pounds, and is available in the same variety of finishes as the M60. The speaker can handle up to 400 watts and has a frequency response of 85 - 22 kHz.

The QS8 surround speakers are among the best we have tested. The woofers are positioned on the top and bottom of the speaker, so if you plan to mount these speakers on stands, you will need to purchase Axiom's FMS-QS stands, designed with a custom top plate to allow the QS bottom woofer to fire freely. Just as with all speakers in the system, the QS8's have five-way gold-plated binding posts.

Rounding out the Epic 60/500 system is the powerful EP500 subwoofer. This beast is capable of delivering bass as low as 13Hz, and can literally shake your furniture and the walls of your room. Weighing in at 72.6 pounds, the bass reflex, front-ported cabinet is available in any of Axiom's finish options. The sub has an internal 500 watt amplifier, and an adjustable crossover. The front-firing 12-inch aluminum woofer is controlled by internal DSP that keeps the sub free from distortion.

Once we had unpacked this system and set it up in our reference theater, we were treated to amazing home theater sound. The voice matched speaker system created an incredibly realistic soundstage, and the quadpole surrounds (which we mounted on our rear/side walls) enveloped us in the movies we watched during our evaluation period. For music, the system was very accurate, with the subwoofer bring the rich texture of bass drums and guitars to life.

We highly recommend Axiom speakers for anyone looking for high quality and value pricing. They have many systems to choose from at several price points, and if you have a budget (and room) that allows it, you should consider the Epic 60/500.

Pros: Fantastic imaging, huge choice of finishes, incredible quality and value
Cons: Quadpole design of surround speakers require wall mounting or purchase of special stands

Warranty
5 years