Energy Veritas 2.4i vs. Axiom M80ti - a blind listening test.

[craigsub]

Since the shootout at my place between the M80's, Paradigm Studio 100 V.3's, and Energy 2.4i's ended up being a subwoofer test instead, there have been a few requests for some form of test between the M80's and the 2.4i's.

I thought about it, and figured, why not ? So... here we go !

Here are the rules:

1. All listening is done blind, with the speakers level matched in an ABAB arrangement.

2. Level matching was done using a Rad Shack meter, Pink Noise, and patience.

3. There will be 6 nights of listening, including tonight, and results posted at the end.

4. After three nights, the speakers will be positioned BABA to make sure it was not room placement.

5. And no whining allowed.

The Players ... The Energy 2.4 i's, MSRP $4500, Best price $3250:

V2.4i

Speaker System: Bass Reflex, Front & Rear Vented
Recommended Amplifier Power: up to 250 watts
Impedance: 8 ohms nominal
Minimum Impedance: 4 ohm
Frequency response: 30-20,000 Hz +/- 3dB


Usable Bass Response: -10dB Anechoic @ 25Hz
Anechoic Sensitivity 87dB
2 speakers in a typical room: 90dB
Crossover Points: 150Hz, 300Hz, 550Hz, 2.0kHz
Operating Range: Tweeter: 2.0 kHz and >, Midrange: 550Hz-2.0kHz, Woofer 3:~ to 550Hz
Woofer 2:~ to 300Hz
Woofer 1:~ to 150Hz
1" Aluminum Dome Tweeter,
2" Aluminum Dome Midrange,
3 6-1/2" Dual Hyperdrive Woofers

Overall Dimensions:
H 46"
116.8cm
D 18 1/8"
46cm
W 8 3/4"
22.2cm
Cabinet Finishes: Cherry Veneer w/ black, High Gloss w/ black
Shipping Weight: 95 lbs. / 42.7 kg
Accessories: Spike Kit, Rubber Bumpers

The Axiom M80ti's. List price $1240, Best Price, $1116:

Millennia M80ti Specifications
Enclosure: Triple Vortex / Reflex
Max Amp Power: 400 Watts
Min Amp Power: 10 Watts
Freq Resp +/-3dB (Hz): 34 - 22kHz Graph
Freq Resp +3dB- 9dB (Hz): 25 - 22kHz
Impedance (Ohms): 4 Ohms
SPL in Room1w/1m(dB): 95 dB
SPL Anechoic 1w/1m(dB): 91 dB
X-Over 160Hz & 2.3kHz
Tweeter: Dual 1"
Woofer: Dual 5.25"
Sub Woofer: Dual 6.5"
Dimens. H W D (inches): 39.5" x 9.25" x 17"
Dimens. H W D (mm): 1003 x 235 x 432
Weight (lbs) each 56.8 lbs
Weight (kg) each 25.764 kgs

The most recent graphs of each.

The 2.4i's from Soundstage:



The M80Ti's from the NRC:





The rest of the system consists of the Emotiva DMC-1 pre-amp, MPS-1 Power Amp and a Denon 2900 Universal Player modded by Underwood Wally.

Cables are Onix SP-200 Speaker cable and Better Cables interconnects.

All listening will be in two channel, speakers run full range.

NOW - For today's listening, we used some David Sanborne and Mannheim Steamroller. Here is how they fared:

Speaker "A" :

This is a very neutral loudspeaker. On David Sanborne's "Snakes", The Saxaphone was was quite natural. "A" allowed the native, "sultry" sound of Sanborne's Sax through, with no harshness. Soundstaging and imaging were well above average, with plenty of depth. Percussion was quite punchy and lively, with the kick drum coming through with a visceral "punch".

Mannheim Steamroller "Extraordinaire" is a Christmas Favorite, with a bounty of live music in which to immerse one's self. There is a snare drum which, when properly presented by a speaker, comes from deep in the center stage. "A" got this completely right. The Flute is very airy, deep left on stage, and again, "A" was up to the task. The Harpsicord is the real star - an accurate portrayal will have plenty of weight combined with agility. Again, "A" did an excellent job with the Harpsicord.

This is only the first night of listening, with much more detailed reports to come, but, for now, "A" gets a solid 90.

Speaker "B" :

What is remarkable is how close speaker "B" is to "A". With our switcher, we can go back and forth using a remote, so it literally is instant switching.

Speaker "B" is slightly different than is "A". It give up some of the soundstaging and imaging, for example, the drums in Manheim Steamroller lack a bit of the clarity that "A" exhibited. On the other hand, "B" was a bit more rich on the Saxaphone, almost like you could see the cigar smoke in the jazz bar.

The Flute is less clear, too, but still quite good.

Overall, I give "B" an 88 for the first night.

[rolyasm]

Thanks in advance. I am actually considering the Axioms and Veritas. Can't wait to see the results.
Roly

[Sheep]

The Veritas 2.4i's are my favorite loudspeakers for the money. See how the graph dips a bit in the 1-3Khz range? Thats why. They sound so clean, and the midrange is the best I've heard.

I wouldn't be suprised if the Energy's beat the Axioms. The measures that went into designing that enclosure, drivers, and crossover is unbeatable.

These speakers are unknown gems. But they are like 5500 a pair here

SheepStar

[craigsub]

I bought the 2.4i's in April, and the M80's in August - and both have impressed me quite a bit. Unlike a lot of speakers, they both get the mids "right". What is unusual about this test is the many hours I already have with each.

The "best price" I gave on the Veritas was the best that I could find - if someone knows a better one, feel free to post it.

OH - and I don't expect this to be some form of authoritative "you should buy this" thread. Hopefully it will be informative. And fun.

[Sheep]

I bought the 2.4i's in April, and the M80's in August - and both have impressed me quite a bit. Unlike a lot of speakers, they both get the mids "right". What is unusual about this test is the many hours I already have with each.

The "best price" I gave on the Veritas was the best that I could find - if someone knows a better one, feel free to post it.

OH - and I don't expect this to be some form of authoritative "you should buy this" thread. Hopefully it will be informative. And fun.

The reason why the Energy's get the mids right is because of the tapered crossover. If the Axioms are close, they have quite a good speaker for the money.

Also, the 3 woofers(in Energy) have a rod that bolts them to the rear of the enclosure. Talk about rigid.

SheepStar

[rikmeister]

if so maybe kris kringle can weigh in too. will you try any full ochestration like the overture of 1812. hehehehe.

[Duffinator]

Craig, what happened to the Paradigm Studio 100'S???

[craigsub]

Rikmeister - I may just drag out the old Mercury 1812 CD for this. Could be fun !

Duffinator - The 100 V.3's are still here. I am too Christmassy to try a triple blind test. Maybe they can take on the winner next week ...

[Tomorrow]

Good show, Craig. I sure wish you would have thrown in the ACIs for an A/B/C evaluation. Can't wait for the results.

Also, I trust you lined up the DBT standard methodologies and scientists and invoked all aspects of the Third Law of Thermodynamics and satisfied all controls for known and unknown variables and haven't had any liquor for 48 hours prior to testing....knowing full-well the slings and arrows are coming from the "Experts". LOL!!

[craigsub]

Good show, Craig. I sure wish you would have thrown in the ACIs for an A/B/C evaluation. Can't wait for the results.

Also, I trust you lined up the DBT standard methodologies and scientists and invoked all aspects of the Third Law of Thermodynamics and satisfied all controls for known and unknown variables and haven't had any liquor for 48 hours prior to testing....knowing full-well the slings and arrows are coming from the "Experts". LOL!!

Honest, Occifer, I haven't had ONE drink tonight ...

We had a really successful blind test on a new Front Projector last week, too...