Comparison results: Axiom 80 vs. Polk RTI12

[Johnny Canuck]

A friend of mine had his house broken into and had his system stolen so he has some insurance money to go shopping. He knows I am an experienced reader of this site and he has faith in my opinion so he asked me what speakers he should buy. Of course, Axiom is mentioned so much on Audioholics and have great reviews. There are plenty of satisfied customers here and with all those glaring reports, I told him to check out the Axiom 80 towers. My buddy has heard my Polk system, RTI12's in the front. He loves it, but like myself, finds the Polks a little bright. So he went for the Axioms.

I went over to his house and helped him set them up. He got the Denon 3806 receiver, like my Denon 3805.

My thoughts, and by no means am I looking to start arguements here.:

1)Poor build quality. Cheap vinyl that looks like it will peel at any time. Resonance and vibration from the cabinets.

2) Ear bleeding brightness.

3)Bass was good.

4)efficient enough to run without a big power amp.

3)Good, fast delivery and packaged very well.

For the few years I have been here, I have read so much on Axiom and have considered the "upgrade" from my Polk RTI 12's. So, I took my speakers over to my buddy's place and we did a side by side. As his Axioms have a 30 day return policy, he wanted to compare too.

First of all, I don't believe in break in. Your ears get used to speakers. No such thing.

The RTI12s kill the Axiom 80's. Absolutely no comparison in every way. At first glance the build quality is not even in the same stratosphere. RTI2s have real wood. Solid. NO vibration. The Axioms look cheap cheap cheap in comparison. And style, the Polks look far better.

I have always thought my RTI12s were bright. The truth is now that it was my room. I have them in a small apartment. When they were in my friends large room they sounded absolutely stunning. Beautiful. The Axioms are much brighter. The bass may have been a bit better, not much, with the Axioms but with a good sub like my Hsu STF 3, who cares?

As I said I am not flaming Axiom as they are pretty good for the money, but I am now satisfied that Axiom is not an upgrade from Polk. In fact, it is a downgrade and I am at peace with what I have. If I am going to upgrade one day, it won't be to Axiom. it will be either the Polk Lsi line or something else.

Don't believe the hype. And don't believe Polks are lesser from people who have not heard them side by side in the same environment like I have.... and because CC sells them. They do make some garbage, but not the RTI series. Better bang for your buck than Axiom.

My buddy is sending the Axioms back.

 

[Ron Temple]

I remember reading some of your early posts about the Polks where you doubted you made the right decision. Well you stuck with it and now are vindicated. The Rtis are very good speakers. I tried out the 8s briefly and was very pleased. They benefit from the right combination of sources and amplification, even more so with the 12s. There are some folks at Club Polk that prefer the 12s to anything else in the current lineup. Enjoy your speakers...when you're ready to upgrade checkout some other lines for sure and the LSis, but don't be afraid to look at some of Polks vintage stuff. The old Monitor, LS and SDA lines are really something else.

 

[mike c]

the realization that you don't need an upgrade is SO relieving!

be happy that you find your speakers "greener" than the neighbor's "grass".

having said that, my rti4's have normal MDF (is this real wood?) ... you mean the axiom's have something less than that?

 

[robot]

My thoughts, and by no means am I looking to start arguements here.:

1)Poor build quality. Cheap vinyl that looks like it will peel at any time. Resonance and vibration from the cabinets.

2) Ear bleeding brightness.

3)Bass was good.

4)efficient enough to run without a big power amp.

3)Good, fast delivery and packaged very well.

After owning the m80s I sent them back as well. I agree with all of these points, especially the build quality. After setting them up side by side to my B&W 603s there was really no comparison, in build quality, appearance, or sound.

By the way... the 603 can be had for $1500 or cheaper around these parts. If your friend hasn't made his purchase yet I would recommend that he give them a listen.

 

[zumbo]

I try desperately to steer people toward Athena, Energy, Polk Audio, Monitor Audio, and B&W. It is so hard to convince people that these companies are the ones making quality speakers. It is great to hear a real story. These "reviews" of ID companies are advertisements. It is also my opinion that any published review is an advertisement. I say it over-and-over. Thanks for your thread.

 

[robot]

haha

Johnny Canuck just got banned... watch what you say guys!

 

[Tom Andry]

Unrelated to the subject of this thread. Which is why this thread still exists. Discuss away.

 

[PENG]

I try desperately to steer people toward Athena, Energy, Polk Audio, Monitor Audio, and B&W. It is so hard to convince people that these companies are the ones making quality speakers. It is great to hear a real story. These "reviews" of ID companies are advertisements. It is also my opinion that any published review is an advertisement. I say it over-and-over. Thanks for your thread.

I have to agree. I own a few Energy and Polks speakers, and hopefully will get a pair of B&W soon.

 

[mike c]

Unrelated to the subject of this thread. Which is why this thread still exists. Discuss away.

perhaps there should be a break down on what rule he violated lest there be misunderstandings.

 

[no. 5]

Good thread, I often like to hear negative reviews about products because it gives a better total impression of the product itself, I mean, if I only read positive reviews I might own Bose.

Mind you a high number of positive reviews doesn't mean that something is bad, but it doesn't automatically mean it's good either; I like ID companies, I really do, but it gets tedious only hearing how great and unbeatable a particular set of speakers or subwoofer or whatever is; I do not believe that any consumer product is that good, with so many taste and hearing differences between people it is unlikely that everybody will like one thing.

ID companies can present a terrific value - as I said before, I like them - but seriously, companies like Polk and B&W have been putting tons of money into R&D for decades, just because they have to have their prices bumped up some to cover the expenses of their distributors does not make their products lesser. And sometimes, their products can be found used, or on-line for cheep.

Anyway, thanks for the review.

 

[Tom Andry]

perhaps there should be a break down on what rule he violated lest there be misunderstandings.

How 'bout this - read the forum rules, don't break them, and you'll be fine. You know, I'm a member of a number of forums and I've never had so much as a warning. And I don't think I've ever read a single rule. Most people here are the same. I believe this is the second time I've given Johnny boy a ban (though it may have just been a warning, I'm not sure). I guess some people just can't play by the rules.

 

[Sheep]

Johnny Canuck, what a character.

Considering he has made about 60 threads about how is Polk's AREN'T bad, it makes his opinion hard to believe. I've heard the RTi series, brighter then heck. Can't stand listening to them. The new Athena line is a much better bargain, or step up to Energy considering Athena build quality.

I love how much threatening me wasn't enough to ban him, but bashing a Manufacturer was.

SheepStar

 

[Tom Andry]

I love how much threatening me wasn't enough to ban him, but bashing a Manufacturer was.

SheepStar

OK, so I didn't ban him last time. The minute I saw those comments, he was issued a "do it again and be banned" warning. I believe he's been MIA for the most part since then. Don't worry Sheep, I got your back . And again, the subject of the post was not the problem (though it seems to me to be an obvious troll) it was something else. Had nothing to do with Axiom.

For future reference - Unfounded, unsupported statements about a manufacturer is "bashing", expressing a opinion about something based on experience and/or listening tests is just an opinion. And we've got no problems with that here. If there was a speaker that worked for everyone, we'd have very little to talk about.

 

[Sheep]

OK, so I didn't ban him last time. The minute I saw those comments, he was issued a "do it again and be banned" warning. I believe he's been MIA for the most part since then. Don't worry Sheep, I got your back . And again, the subject of the post was not the problem (though it seems to me to be an obvious troll) it was something else. Had nothing to do with Axiom.

For future reference - Unfounded, unsupported statements about a manufacturer is "bashing", expressing a opinion about something based on experience and/or listening tests is just an opinion. And we've got no problems with that here. If there was a speaker that worked for everyone, we'd have very little to talk about.

Good point...

So when do I hit the 2 multiple chicklet club? I mean, there must be a club dedicated to me, might not be a fan club, but a club none the less.

SheepStar

 

[emorphien]

Interesting review. I actually don't dislike Polks, but my only experience with Axiom has been the M3Tis and it was a very positive experience. I still own the pair although right now there have nothing to do.

I think it's a tricky thing zumbo to say Axiom isn't a real speaker manufacturer. They certainly aren't the best, but I'm not a big fan of B&W and don't really recommend them to anyone other than to say listen and compare, as with everything.

 

[wire]

OK, so I didn't ban him last time. The minute I saw those comments, he was issued a "do it again and be banned" warning. I believe he's been MIA for the most part since then. Don't worry Sheep, I got your back . And again, the subject of the post was not the problem (though it seems to me to be an obvious troll) it was something else. Had nothing to do with Axiom.

For future reference - Unfounded, unsupported statements about a manufacturer is "bashing", expressing a opinion about something based on experience and/or listening tests is just an opinion. And we've got no problems with that here. If there was a speaker that worked for everyone, we'd have very little to talk about.

Ok Am I crossing the line when i Bash Yammy , with my expirence with the product years ago , i got a hate on for there internal amps in there receivers ( just no Balls ) .

 

[wire]

I remember reading some of your early posts about the Polks where you doubted you made the right decision. Well you stuck with it and now are vindicated. The Rtis are very good speakers. I tried out the 8s briefly and was very pleased. They benefit from the right combination of sources and amplification, even more so with the 12s. There are some folks at Club Polk that prefer the 12s to anything else in the current lineup. Enjoy your speakers...when you're ready to upgrade checkout some other lines for sure and the LSis, but don't be afraid to look at some of Polks vintage stuff. The old Monitor, LS and SDA lines are really something else.

I agree with trying the older SDA line up .

 

[Matt34]

I try desperately to steer people toward Athena, Energy, Polk Audio, Monitor Audio, and B&W. It is so hard to convince people that these companies are the ones making quality speakers. It is great to hear a real story. These "reviews" of ID companies are advertisements. It is also my opinion that any published review is an advertisement. I say it over-and-over. Thanks for your thread.

There are many more quality speaker companies both ID and B&M than what you have listed. Just because they work for you doesn't mean everyone will like them.

As far as Johnny's "comparison" did he even bring the Polks over and at least do an A/B or was he just comparing them going completely off memory in a totally different room? Could the Axioms be coming off as "bright" due to his friends room just like the Polks were in his old place? Not much of a comparison if I say so.

 

[zumbo]

I think it's a tricky thing zumbo to say Axiom isn't a real speaker manufacturer.

Didn't say anything like that.

 

[zumbo]

There are many more quality speaker companies both ID and B&M than what you have listed. Just because they work for you doesn't mean everyone will like them.

I totally agree. But, there is no way to list all of the companies. My recommendations go from entry level(Athena), to high-end(B&W). Most people asking are not ready to spend 1k for a pair of speakers. So they start looking at Axiom. At this price-point, I believe my recommendations are the brands that compete.

While it does take a good bit more for a B&W 800 series set-up, it is the reference for me. B&W 800 series are the way a speaker should sound.(IMO)So, if a speaker has similar quality sound in a cheaper package, I believe that is the way to go. It all depends on the budget.

My speakers retail for $1699.00 a pair. I quit recommending them. People asking for speaker help are just not willing to spend that much. And, mine are far from the best.