Axiom M80s with Pioneer VSX 94 ?

[jfdawson]

I figured I'd come the experts.. Building a new HT in a new house. Planning to buy everything: Pioneer 150FD Kuro, Pioneer 95 BluRay, Pioneer 94 reciever or Denon 3808. ( prefer Pioneer cause all the same components, same remote, etc. ). then buy Axiom M80's, 150cc, OS8 surrounds, and either Definitive Supercube 1 or the Axiom sub 350 or 400. Here's my question. the M80s are 4 ohm speakers and both recievers are 8 ohm. Axiom says they have plenty of Denon owners who don't have issues. they didn't know about Pioneer's new recievers. I called Pioneer and they said NO WORKY. Do I step down to the M60's ( 8 ohms )? Do I go with Denon and prey that it works?

Also, the Axiom is telling me that the Definitive Sub is inferior to theirs? I've heard the Def SUpercube 1 and it sounds pretty nice. I've never heard the Axioms at all and am purely buying these on what I've read over the web and their 30 day return policy.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Wid]

There have been owners of both brands running the M80s with great results. It has been said by Alan @ Axiom that the Pioneer receivers that have the "mosfit technology" will work on a 4 ohm load.

The Def Tech sub does not compete with my Hsu STF 3 sub and the Axiom sub is said to outperform the Hsu. Now if you go upwards in the Hsu models then it is another story. That would be one way to save some cash, go with another brand of sub.

 

[AVRat]

Contrary to popular belief, the DT SCI is an excellent little sub. However in your 5600 cu. ft. space, it won’t be enough.

For your situation you might want to consider the Axiom Epic 60 - 500 system. http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic60_500main.html And if you’d like to save a few hundred, you could substitute an SVS PB12-PLUS ($799) for the Epic 500 sub.

Given this setup, either receiver will work. Since your room is rather narrow, I don’t believe you’d crank things up to a point that would harm either receiver using the 80s.

 

[MurphMan97]

A company will never tell you that their 8 ohm receiver will handle a 4 ohm load, even if it is possible. They simply are playing it safe in case you crank things up and damage your equipment. That being said, I have no idea if that particular pioneer is a safe bet or not.

However, I wouldn't have much fear if you had to go with the M60's. Axiom themselves have been quoted as saying that the M60 is almost acoustically identical to the M80s. The M80s present just a bit more bass and play just a bit louder. Also, if you listen to a lot of poorly recorded music, (and God help us, there is a lot of it) the M60s are a little more forgiving than the M80s.

I have owned the M60s for over a year now and I still sit there amazed at the clarity they produce for the price you pay for them.

I read just today that Axiom just revamped their EP350 sub. You may want to check that out. If you can step up to the 400 or 500 with the DSP circuitry I think you'd be playing with the big boys from any sub brand for sound quality to match the loudness.

 

[jaseman]

A company will never tell you that their 8 ohm receiver will handle a 4 ohm load, even if it is possible. They simply are playing it safe in case you crank things up and damage your equipment. That being said, I have no idea if that particular pioneer is a safe bet or not.

However, I wouldn't have much fear if you had to go with the M60's. Axiom themselves have been quoted as saying that the M60 is almost acoustically identical to the M80s. The M80s present just a bit more bass and play just a bit louder. Also, if you listen to a lot of poorly recorded music, (and God help us, there is a lot of it) the M60s are a little more forgiving than the M80s.

I have owned the M60s for over a year now and I still sit there amazed at the clarity they produce for the price you pay for them.

I read just today that Axiom just revamped their EP350 sub. You may want to check that out. If you can step up to the 400 or 500 with the DSP circuitry I think you'd be playing with the big boys from any sub brand for sound quality to match the loudness.

I agree whole heartedly!

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

The new Onkyo 805 weighs about 50 lbs. and should have no problem with a pair of 4 ohm speakers.

If you have a big enough room to justify the Axiom M80 mains (vs. M60) then you will want Axiom EP500 sub or something comparable from SVS or HSU. The EP400 only has an 8" woofer. AV123 is also releasing the MFW-15, a 15" ported sub for $600 or $1k/pair.

 

[Jey Jockey]

Just call Axiom, they will indeed tell you that Onkyo and Integra among many other receivers are not recommended, at any given higher volume the M80's will promptly shut that 805 down. The M80's are an amazing speaker but they draw massive amounts of power at high volume.