Unfortunately, since I am far more AH than anyone I know (of course, other than this forum
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
), my setup is far superior to anyone in my circle. Indeed, my friends and family cannot understand why I invest so much time, effort and money into AV since they fail to understand the returns (that is not an issue here). Due to my predicament, I have never been able to do an apples to apples comparison with the Axiom's and only compare them to brick and mortar showroom setups. IMHO, in all but the most extreme cases, results of a showroom comparison are subjective, so I am going to stay away from them. All that is soon to change since a fellow AH and I will be getting together to settle the issue once and for all. He recently bought some Polk RTi12 speakers and we are going to do a subjective comparison and maybe some in room measurements. I will post a follow-up notes when we are done.
Tough not to sound like a fan boy with the M60's... but I will try to be honest. Remember it’s subjective, so it’s my way or the highway
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
. jk.
I started out with a 2.0 setup, the M60's and a Yamaha HTR-5890 using optical connection from a Samsung DVD player. Back then, the M60's sounded a tad bright and at loud levels I sometimes found myself turning the treble down. There was never the lack of bass or midrange but more on that later. Couple of years later, I got the Denon 3806 and running analog from the 3910, I no longer feel the M60's are bright, if anything, for some time I felt a lack of high frequencies. Also, by the time I got used to the sound of the Denon compared to the Yamaha, I had learnt enough through the AH forum to be able to better optimize my setup through placement, calibration, etc. Maybe better calibration had something to do with taming the high frequencies or maybe I am now used to it. Yet, the hi-hat and cymbals seem very believable on music like Tool and Metallica.
Regarding mid-range, the M60s are very-very good. A friend has Def Tech bookshelf speakers and IMHO, the mid range is superior with the M60’s. I only compared midrange subjectively, with Frank Sinatra playing at moderate volumes, the vocals seem fuller, deeper and the band in general had a bigger sound (\soundstage? He has toe-in comparible to mine but seating is a little closer in his). I listen to a lot of rock music and rhythm guitars sound very realistic (I also play a little rock guitar). Playing the Walkin' Blues track from the Eric Clapton Unplugged CD, the vocals make it feel like he is in the room, the guitar so clear, its absolutely awesome hearing the
slide move on the strings and slap against them when he brings it down.
The bass, Ah! The bass! Running in 2.0 or 5.0 mode I can easily shake my walls, 'nuf said about quantity. Even with full range signal, I was not able to make the M60's distort, the walls were shaking so the volume was definitely high. Not wanting to damage the speakers I let it go, safe in the knowledge that there was more than I needed. It is punchy during techno music yet the deep airplane drone in Flight of the Phoenix is boomy. Don't get me wrong, if you like earth shattering bass, you will need a sub. Its just amazing how much bass the twin 6.5" woofers can put out.
Thats it for now. Need to get back to work
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
.
Upcoming commentary:
1) In room FR plots for my setup (soon)
2) Write-up after comparison with Polk RTi12s at fellow AH's place