How do the Axiom M3 compare to the X-LS

[rexracer]

I put in an order for a pair of X-LS with an X-CS center back in February. When I ordered, their website had a ship date of 3-30 (just changed from 3-08 2 days earlier) Now I'm being told the end of April, but I don't know if I believe it, so I'm shopping again. I guess what I would like to know is...is the M3 worth the extra $200 it will cost for the front 3. I'm more concerned with music performance. I figure if the speakers perform well for music, they'll be fine for HT. I usually listen to music 2.1 streight. Anybody have any thoughts or comments on these 2 speakers? I really don't want to wait indefinitely to get speakers, and the Axioms were on the top of my short list to start, but I didn't think I could swing the $$. But with this OT I've been getting... It's already been 2 months since I got the receiver, so I'm ready.

 

[rexracer]

Anybody? I'd really like some input. Pro's/ Con's?

 

[Nick250]

Anybody? I'd really like some input. Pro's/ Con's?

There is almost a bewildering number of good speakers in your price range. What sounds good to you, may not be to my liking.

*disclaimer* I have not heard the M3s speakers myself.

1. Have you auditioned locally every speaker in your price range? This is the by far the first and most impotent step. I own a pair of Paradigm Mini Monitors that I like. They are $350ish I think.

2. The M3 has gotten good reviews, I think there is one on this site that I can not find at this moment because of the new AH setup.

Nick

 

[billy p]

This

might be what Nick250 was referring to! If not, I hope it helps. The axiom M3 was compared to some other decent BS speakers.


http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/speaker-face-off-iv

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

Rex,
AV123 is moving their headquarters and starting a new production facility so they are a little low on inventory. AV123 is risk free on their bookshelf speakers and Axiom also has a 30 day trial period so you might consider an in-home shoutout. AH included the Axiom speakers in a bookshelf shoutout a while back and have also reviewed the Onix X-LS speakers.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/onix-x-ls
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/speaker-face-off-iv

 

[j_garcia]

I'd wait for the new versions of the X-LS to be released, the X-LS EX and the X-LS SWG, which should be very soon. The EX has some upgrades and is about $70 more than a standard X-LS, and the SWG will have major modifications (all new drivers and x-over) and will be about twice the price of the X-LS (still only $400/pr though). The X-LS is much larger than the M3, and FAR better looking IMO. The cabinets alone are worth it over the M3 with it's not so nice veneers. Soundwise, the two are very different - the M3 is on the brighter side of neutral and the X-LS is softer than neutral. I have to say the midrange on the M3s is quite good but they don't quite have enough bass for my liking. The X-LS has very good bass for a small-ish bookshelf and has an extremely wide soundstage sounding like a larger speaker. The midrange is nice, but there is a bit of a dip in the upper midrange that makes the X-LS sound almost a bit too soft at times. The new versions should address that completely. Bang for the buck, I'd go with the X-LS and modify it with the "Ninja" x-over mods offered by one of their employees or the X-LS EX.

 

[rexracer]

I did read the reviews here, and elsewhere, on the M3's, and the review here on the x-ls. I actually went ahead and canceled the order for the x-ls's and ordered the M3's. I hope the price difference is worth it. I really couldn't wait another month or more, and like you said, if I don't like the Axioms, I can send them back...but from what I've read, I don't think that will happen. I'll let everyone know how I like 'em in a week or so. I'll probably A/B 'em with the Primus 150's that will be moving to the back just for kicks. Those little Infinities are pretty decent themselves, especially for the $120 I paid for the pair.

 

[T2T]

I did read the reviews here, and elsewhere, on the M3's, and the review here on the x-ls. I actually went ahead and canceled the order for the x-ls's and ordered the M3's. I hope the price difference is worth it. I really couldn't wait another month or more, and like you said, if I don't like the Axioms, I can send them back...but from what I've read, I don't think that will happen. I'll let everyone know how I like 'em in a week or so. I'll probably A/B 'em with the Primus 150's that will be moving to the back just for kicks. Those little Infinities are pretty decent themselves, especially for the $120 I paid for the pair.

Personally, I would have waited. You could have taken delivery on the X-LS speakers when they arrive and then apply the "EX" changes to revise the tweeter output a bit making the speaker sound a bit more dynamic.

For me, I didn't care for the Axiom sound. I had the M22s. I also had he VP150. The vinyl veneer on their speakers was scary thin. In fact, when you look at the X-LS, you'd wonder why they are not selling for $599 a pair - because the quality is just that good.

If I were in your shoes and needed an "instant fix" I would have gone out and picked up a $200 pair of Sennheiser headphones to get me through the waiting period for the Onix speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, like you said, you can try them out and see if you like them and return them if you don't. Same goes for the X-LS, once they have some in stock. I will possibly buy a set of EXs or SWGs just to try out.

 

[emorphien]

I love the M3s, I think they are a great speaker for the money. I haven't heard the X-LS though but I'd like to. The M3 doesn't have the same quality of finish but they are built well and hold up well.

 

[j_garcia]

Yep, Onix will be offering a kit that allows you to upgrade the X-LS to the EX version for about the same price difference between the X-LS and the EX.

 

[silversurfer]

I have been trying to find out more about the EX. According to this thread it is still uncertain what it will entail.
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?p=350562

 

[billnchristy]

The ES will definitely have the upgraded tweeter, it is the quality of the X-over components that are in question.

People who have heard the prototype have dubbed it the ascend killer and consdering its $80 less and a hell of a lot sexier it should be well worth it.

Me personally, I have no problems with the sound of the original.

Keep in mind the wait includes many, many new finishes as well.

 

[silversurfer]

The ES will definitely have the upgraded tweeter, it is the quality of the X-over components that are in question.

People who have heard the prototype have dubbed it the ascend killer and consdering its $80 less and a hell of a lot sexier it should be well worth it.

Me personally, I have no problems with the sound of the original.

Keep in mind the wait includes many, many new finishes as well.

Yeah, that's just it, how it will sound with different crossover components? Wasn't the X-LS suppose to be an Ascend killer too? That is why I listenned to them, and for me, it was not close. The EX seems to be another attempt, but this time I am more skeptical.

Definitely looks nicer. No contention there.

Disclaimer: I own the 170SE's now.

 

[rexracer]

Well, the M3's are on their way, and if I don't like them, and the EX's are out, I'll definitely give them a try. The wait was becoming a problem with the x-ls's, but the lack of a definite ship date was more of the problem. I must admit that after waiting for over a month, then calling and finding out that it would be another month, I was upset.What bothered me more was the fact that the day before I called, the website said that if you ordered, they would ship on 3-30. I won't wait another month only to find out that they won't ship 'till May. I gotta say, they do look great, though.

 

[Hutzal]

The Axiom sound is really an amazing value.

I own both the M22s and the M3s, the M22s are more revealing of bad recordings than the M3s are. The M3s are warmer and have more bass.

That pretty much sums it up, you're going to love the M3s, I would recommend the Axiom speaker to anyone. You will very soon notice which CD's you have been listening to for years are bad recordings, which ones are good.

If you aren't digging the sound out of the M3s, make sure you try a bunch of different albums, its most likely the recording that you aren't liking.

Good luck!

-Hutz

 

[billnchristy]

I dont recall ever hearing the original referred to as an Ascend killer, but I may be wrong.

At about $180 less and also ID I dont think you could even possibly achieve that.

I think the X-LS are what they are, and I have not heard a $200 bookshelf that compares.

No doubt you can do better for $380 or so, but at the same time you can also buy a matching center for the X at that price as well.

The big deal of it was the completely different, upgraded tweeter that is nothing like the original...the better X-over components are icing on the cake.

 

[silversurfer]

The big deal of it was the completely different, upgraded tweeter that is nothing like the original...the better X-over components are icing on the cake.

If you read Danny's post that I link to, he does not commit to better crossover parts in the production units. The tweeter is different, and the woofer is the same. From what I can tell, only a small group of people have heard the the EX prototype that Danny put together, and he used premium components in the crossover that probably won't be in the production units.

 

[T2T]

Mate the bass of the X-LS with the treble of the Ascends, and you'll have a speaker that'll be a killer of all sorts. The Ascend will always have a good following. I just desire more asthetics with my speakers. Then again, Ascend, I'm sure isn't just sitting on the sidelines either. I'm looking forward to their product revisions, too.

 

[silversurfer]

Yes, I agree. The X-LS seems to have some emphasis in the bass region around 60-70hz or so, very slight though, and when using a sub, it doesn't really matter. Also with a sub, the bass advantage goes away. In my comparison, I felt the 170SE and M3 were cleaner/clearer through the mids/highs as well. The M3 also has emphasis in the bass around 100hz.

I never heard the M3 along side of the X-LS or 170SE.