Axiom bookshelf speakers?

[Smartass408]

My parents are looking to build a semi-surround sound home theater system.
Right now i'm just telling them to get a L/C/R and a sub.

I've looked around but can't find anywhere that I can audition axiom speakers, but they seem to get good reviews.

I was just wondering what you guys thought about M3 v2 Bookshelf Speakers from axiom. Or if anyone has used axiom products. I know they get good reviews, but does anyone have personal experience with these?

Or the recommended center speaker VP100 v2?

Which receiver do you think would be a better fit for these speakers.

yamaha-rx-v365

Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K

Denon 590

Note: my parents would only have 2 HDMI components to plug in at this moment (a PS3 and TV), which is why I'm leaning away from the Yamaha. But idk if they ever really plan on getting a DVR box upstairs because they already have one in the basement.

Thx for the advice.

 

[fredk]

Have you tried Axiom's Hearing Things forum? There is a list of people willing to audition. If there is nobody close to you in the list, try posting on the forum to see who responds.

I would describe Axioms as having a very clean neutral sound. I am very happy with mine.

I have no experience with the VP100 center as I am running dual M2s in my system.

Any of those receivers will be just fine. Pick the one with the best features for your folks.

 

[Smartass408]

Have you tried Axiom's Hearing Things forum? There is a list of people willing to audition. If there is nobody close to you in the list, try posting on the forum to see who responds.

I would describe Axioms as having a very clean neutral sound. I am very happy with mine.

I have no experience with the VP100 center as I am running dual M2s in my system.

Any of those receivers will be just fine. Pick the one with the best features for your folks.

Thanks for the heads up on that one. Will check them out to see if there's anyone nearby

 

[agarwalro]

+1 for the Axiom forum idea.

Of all the Axiom speakers, I believe the VP100 has the most negative feedback and many folks who initially got it, ended up going with the VP150. That said, plenty of folks think the VP100 is just fine.

For the best possible seamless frontstage, I suggest getting 3x M3's if you end up going with Axioms.

Also, dont be afraid to buy from the Factory Outlet. Most people are hard pressed to find fault with the speakers from the Outlet, if at all.

 

[fredk]

many folks who initially got it, ended up going with the VP150.

Thats not the impression I have. The VP100 is no better or worse than any other speaker with a horizontal in-line design. The weakness of the VP100 is the inherent weakness of this design.

The only place that it is noticeable is when you have people listening well off center.

 

[rnatalli]

Axiom makes nice speakers. It's a matter of taste whether you will like them or not. My favorite speakers under $500/pair are the Usher S-520's.

I'd go with the Denon 590 for the receiver out of the choices you listed.

 

[speakEZ]

I picked up a used pair of the Axiom bookshelf speakers ( the M22) about a year ago. I absolutely love them!! I think they are a great buy and have plans for the M80's soon.

I don't have the center channel and mine is a POS. I think anything would be an improvement over the RCA I have right now.

I too could not listen before I bought, but I can tell you that I have no regrets.

I say get'em and you will not be disappointed.

I am using the Axiom M22's for L/R, Yammy 863 as the receiver, RCA center and 12" sub (both of which suck @##), and 2 old Infinity towers (SL50's I think) for the rears (I think they sound great).

 

[fredk]

Axiom makes nice speakers. It's a matter of taste whether you will like them or not. My favorite speakers under $500/pair are the Usher S-520's.

I would love to listen to the Ushers. Haven't seen them in any of the stores I go to.

 

[Algreen345]

I have a pair of Axiom M3v2 speakers that I've had for about three years. They have very good imaging and sound great. I drove them with a Yamaha rx-v657 for a few years before I upgraded to separates and they sounded very good. I had them paired with Kimber 4TC speaker cables and I would say they are too bright for these speakers. Better to go with BJC, which have a richer sound that works well with the Axioms.

For what it's worth, I'm selling my Axioms now because I just upgraded to the Elemental Design W6-6TC, which is in an altogether different league. But with the right setup, I could certainly live with the Axioms again.

 

[lsiberian]

They are good speakers I'd suggest an audition if possible.

You really want to see what they look like too. Pictures never tell the story.

 

[billy p]

I have a pair of Axiom M3v2 speakers that I've had for about three years. They have very good imaging and sound great. I drove them with a Yamaha rx-v657 for a few years before I upgraded to separates and they sounded very good. I had them paired with Kimber 4TC speaker cables and I would say they are too bright for these speakers. Better to go with BJC, which have a richer sound that works well with the Axioms.

For what it's worth, I'm selling my Axioms now because I just upgraded to the Elemental Design W6-6TC, which is in an altogether different league. But with the right setup, I could certainly live with the Axioms again.

Good call on the speaker cables...I switched from some audioquest to BJC cable and it made a world of difference.

 

[Smartass408]

Klipsch XB-10s?

These speakers are for my parents, and my mother went to some hometheater specialist store and they're trying to sell her some Klipsch XB-10s. They aren't audiophiles or anything like that. They're just looking for a simple system for their remodeled room, which will have problems integrating 5.1 in to anyway.
The guy she talked to didn't have any speakers set up for her to even audition. So she can't audition either the XB-10s of the M3v2s. These guys only deal with Klipsch so they're trying to sell her the center, sub, and rears too. They're going to charge her something like 2300 for the components and installation. She wasn't sure what receiver he was trying to sell her, just that it's a Denon (I was prolly going to get her a 590 anyway, but she didn't know what model he was selling)

What are your guy's feelings on the M3s v. the XB-10s?

 

[fredk]

$993 for M3 LR, VP100 center and QS4 surrounds. Add $500 for and SVS PB10 sub and 300 for the receiver and you have better sound quality and a lower price. You set it up, mom makes you your favourite meal and everybody wins.

 

[Smartass408]

$993 for M3 LR, VP100 center and QS4 surrounds. Add $500 for and SVS PB10 sub and 300 for the receiver and you have better sound quality and a lower price. You set it up, mom makes you your favourite meal and everybody wins.

That's exactly what I thought. This guy just like hypnotized her in the store or something. Since the room is open in the back to a kitchen I thought about suggesting that they don't even get surrounds, and add them later if they truly miss them.

 

[fredk]

If they have never watched movies in a proper HT setup, I doubt they would know what they are missing. I could never go back to a normal setup now though.