Ascend v Axiom Dilemma!!!!

[speakerman39]

Hello people I have a question. I am seriously considering going with the following (2) 5.1 systems:

Ascend CMT-340mSE's (fronts)
Ascend CMT-340cSE (center)
Ascend 170 SE's (rears)

OR.....

Axiom M22's (fronts)
Axiom VP150 (center)
Axiom QS4's (rears)

I am not asking which is better but rather some of the differences generally speaking. That is, I know every listening environment is different BUT with that being said some differences usually are known. I plan on getting the Mirage S12 or the SVS PB10-ISD sub for the LFE. Keep in mind my preference is on 2-channel music listening and not multi-channel. More specifically, I listen to music 65% of the time as ooposed to 35% watching dvd. Furthermore, I am not a video gamer. basically, I listen to the radio/cd's most of the time with the exception of watching dvd. I am fully aware that the Ascends use larger drivers and as such will have low frequency extension. I currently own a set of Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's and will be selling them. The matching center cc-470 v.3 is just too large for me and it is also too expensive. All of my speakers will be powered by a Pioneer 1015. Please help and share your experiences with us. I know both the Ascend and Axiom speakers have a large pool of people that love them but are there any here that has owned or at least had the opportunity to do an A/B comparison??? If so, please enlighten me. Have a great day.

 

[wilkenboy]

Speakerman,

I too went on this quest a while back and found no one could really satisfy my itch. I think you'll find people prefer what they purchased (suprise) and very few of these did a side-by-side of these two setups for the obvious reason that there is no place to do so.

If you are dead set to get this "right" for yourself, I'll make two suggestions.

1) Go to both the Axiom and Ascend forums and find folks there willing to let you into their homes for a test listen. Be willing to accept a time difference between the brands, different rooms and/or equipment color the sound differently, and that you will not have the luxury of a lengthy listening session (unless you have a very gracious host).

2) Order a pair of the M22tis and a pair of the CMT-340SEs. Since you plan on doing mostly two-channel audio a pair should suffice. Listen to them side by side in your planned location, return the losers, and order the rest of the components from the winner. You'll be out the cost of return shipping for the losers, which in the scheme of things is not a lot given that you will have resolved this whole thing for yourself with no questions left.

I'm planning on #2 when my time comes. Hope this helps.

~Josh

 

[cyberbri]

Good suggestions.

They have different sound signatures - the Ascends being flat and accurate, and the Axioms being regarded as on the "bright" side. If you know that you prefer a bright speaker over a warm speaker, or prefer warm versus bright, that will help give you an idea of how you may like these brands.

Only you can decide which one you will prefer. Either find someone who will let you check them out, or get a pair of the left/right mains from both and demo them in-home.

 

[Max997]

Axiom has a 30 day money back gaurantee which was nice and a deal maker for me. I ordered the same setup you are looking at with every intention of sending them back if I didnt like them....and I still have them

sound is good, even better since I added the amps. I am 95% hometheater though but I do play music and it sounds good also

only thing I dont like about the Axioms is the finish, not real wood. I really like the look of the Paradigm signature series, one of the few sets I would think about upgrading to

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

Wow, I think that the Axioms or the Ascends might be a downgrade from your current Paradigm studio 20's. Since you are mostely concerned about music, then the center channel peformance is not a major factor. You might consider a 3rd studio 20 on its side or a CC370 to address your current issue.

I was set on a pair of the Axiom's, but I found a pair of used Onix Reference 1 bookshelf speakers for a comparable price.

 

[speakerman39]

Speakerman,

I too went on this quest a while back and found no one could really satisfy my itch. I think you'll find people prefer what they purchased (suprise) and very few of these did a side-by-side of these two setups for the obvious reason that there is no place to do so.

If you are dead set to get this "right" for yourself, I'll make two suggestions.

1) Go to both the Axiom and Ascend forums and find folks there willing to let you into their homes for a test listen. Be willing to accept a time difference between the brands, different rooms and/or equipment color the sound differently, and that you will not have the luxury of a lengthy listening session (unless you have a very gracious host).

2) Order a pair of the M22tis and a pair of the CMT-340SEs. Since you plan on doing mostly two-channel audio a pair should suffice. Listen to them side by side in your planned location, return the losers, and order the rest of the components from the winner. You'll be out the cost of return shipping for the losers, which in the scheme of things is not a lot given that you will have resolved this whole thing for yourself with no questions left.

I'm planning on #2 when my time comes. Hope this helps.

~Josh

Good point as I will probably do that. An Axiom board member is going to allow me a demo next week or so but he does not have the M22's. But, at least it will give me some idea as to what the Axioms speakers sound like.

 

[speakerman39]

Axiom has a 30 day money back gaurantee which was nice and a deal maker for me. I ordered the same setup you are looking at with every intention of sending them back if I didnt like them....and I still have them

sound is good, even better since I added the amps. I am 95% hometheater though but I do play music and it sounds good also

only thing I dont like about the Axioms is the finish, not real wood. I really like the look of the Paradigm signature series, one of the few sets I would think about upgrading to

Hey I own a set of the Studio 20 v.3's and let me tell you the cabinet is dead quiet. The Signature Series from what I have been told does not sound that much better for such a HUGE price difference. Be sure to take a look at Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference Monitors at tyleracoustics.com. TY's cabinets and drivers are second to none. Thus, the Taylo Reference Monitors $1600 a set are amazing sounding a blow the Studio 20's out of the water. In fact, the Linbrook Signature Monitors are the absolute best speakers I have heard to date bar none!!!!!

 

[Sarius]

only thing I dont like about the Axioms is the finish, not real wood. I really like the look of the Paradigm signature series, one of the few sets I would think about upgrading to

Hi,

Check out the Axiom site.. they are now offering real wood as an option. Looks pretty slick too!

 

[speakerman39]

Wow, I think that the Axioms or the Ascends might be a downgrade from your current Paradigm studio 20's. Since you are mostely concerned about music, then the center channel peformance is not a major factor. You might consider a 3rd studio 20 on its side or a CC370 to address your current issue.

I was set on a pair of the Axiom's, but I found a pair of used Onix Reference 1 bookshelf speakers for a comparable price.

As I mentioned the cc-470 center is too big and heavy(34lbs.) as well as being too expensive. I am selling my Studio 20 v.3's and changing directions. However, you are right the Studio 20's are fantastic. I also do not like laying a Studio 20 horizontally and vertically is out of the question because my tv stands kinda high.

 

[cyberbri]

I have seen comparisons between Paradigm 20s and Ascends, and many people like the Ascends (for sound quality). The 340SE center channel is 26 pounds, so it's a little lighter.

Sizes (HxWxD):
Paradigm cc470 = 9-1/16 x 23-1/2 x 12-7/8 in
Ascend 340SE Center = 7.5" x 21" x 10.5"

Here's someone detailing his comparison of Ascend 340s, Studio 40s, and some BA speakers:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=591331&highlight=Ascend+Paradigm+Studio+20


340SE and Studio 40s:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7363039&&#post7363039

Another post, 170SEs and Studio 20s:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7147391&&#post7147391

Another:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7047826&&#post7047826


Seems to be very close, with difference in personal preference for sound signature (frequency response) being the deciding factor.

 

[---k---]

cyberbri,

You missed one:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=647862

and hey, thats me!

I can't speak for the Axioms, but I can for the 340SE and Paradigms Studio 40s hooked up to a Pio 1015. I found the 340SE to be a much more accurate speaker than the Studio 40. I was frankly shocked at how much I didn't like the 40 when I got it home next to the 340SE. The 340SE had much tighter and stronger bass, and had better clarity.

I'm really enjoying my Ascend 340SEs. They are a great balanced speaker. They do very little wrong. Yeah, there are better speakers, but they you got to step up in price to get there.

The shipping on both speakers will be pretty reasonable, entertain yourself for a month by getting both pairs and swapping back and forth every night.

 

[cyberbri]

Nice. I have probably read that before, but I'll have to read it again. I am going to be getting a set of 3x 340SEs and a pair of 170SEs, along with a VTF-3 Mk2 in Blond Maple in a month or so, which makes me want to read people's comparisons even more!

 

[cripplecrow]

I recently purchased the M22's VP100 and QS8's, all powered with the PIO 1015. I can tell you that they are great speakers, able to play very loud. I am able to hear things that I cannot pickup on my PSB T45's (which I love). You should get a sub, but even without they are great for music.

I was debating the purchase with all of the comments regarding them being bright, and have formed my own opinion. Intitialy, I plugged them in and focused entirely on the picking out what bright sounds like. Soon I realized that (with A/B switching) I thought my PSB's were sounding bright (which they are not) because I was searching for it, which lead me to understand that I was not being objective. I forgot about the comments I had read and just started listening to music, and that was that for the bright aspect.

Anyways, everyone who has heard the Axiom's has made positive comments and I am very happy with the decision. It sounds like you are in a similar boat to where I was a few months ago and I thought I would offer some comments....

 

[silversurfer]

For what it's worth at this point, the CBM-170's are more comparable to the M22's. Both are often compared to the Studio 20.

I agree with previous posters and listen to them both. The shipping costs on a pair of each is pretty nominal.

 

[craigsub]

The Ascend 340's will need the matching stands ... so the system is a bit over $1300 plus subwoofer.

The best choice, IMO, from Axiom's lineup would be the M-50's, VP-100 center, and QS-4 surrounds, which is also a bit over $1300. By the time you add stands to the M22's, you are close to the same $$$$.

I have also auditioned all these speakers pretty extensively.

Both of these are delivered prices - and are really exceptional values.

Ascend's advantages are in the center channel.

Axiom's are in the mains and surrounds. Actually, with a subwoofer, the mains are about a draw.

Axiom gives you finish choices, while Ascend's finish is more durable.

Both systems are outstanding values. Have fun with the process !

 

[silversurfer]

Craig, have you heard the M50? It is my understanding from all the reading that the M50 does not sound like the M22 and that you need to step to the M60 to get the same type of sound.

Also, have you heard the Ascend SE's? If so, what is your assessment from the originals?

 

[craigsub]

Craig, have you heard the M50? It is my understanding from all the reading that the M50 does not sound like the M22 and that you need to step to the M60 to get the same type of sound.

Also, have you heard the Ascend SE's? If so, what is your assessment from the originals?

There are a couple of guys in the area that have both the new 340 SE's and the M50's ... The 340's remind me of the older 340's - very neutral. The M50's are more neutral than the M22's ... and are a better fit with the 340's.

The M22's really need a lot of care in the set up, in order to sound their best.

Both the 340's and the M50's are easier to position than the M22's, and are easier to dial in with a system.

 

[silversurfer]

Thanks. Very interesting.

 

[craigsub]

Thanks. Very interesting.

You are welcome ... For some reason, Ascend and Axiom are popular around here now. Another guy bought an Epic 80 package from Axiom, and just added the Emotiva DMC-1/MPS-1 to drive them.

 

[silversurfer]

Another guy bought an Epic 80 package from Axiom, and just added the Emotiva DMC-1/MPS-1 to drive them.

Nice!!!

Just reading the Axiom board in regards to the sound of their lines.

For some reason, Ascend and Axiom are popular around here now.

I think it is a cycle.