Axiom Epic 80 for Home Theater

[soundjunkie]

Looking at the reviews on the Axiom's on the website and it peaked my interest in the speaker company. I went out to their site and looked at their systems. I was looking at the Epic 60 and 80 systems, which I found to be interesting in text, but the real question was how do they sound in real life. Looking to the Audioholics for input! I guess there isn't a dealer network, so I'm hesitate to get too caught up as a concideration for my future home theater. The titanium tweeters, and more so the aluminum woofers sometimes lead me to believe they may err to the high side of sound. I want a warm speaker, not a harsher sound like a Klipsch.

I know there are opinions, and if there are suggestions of other systems within the same price range, please let me know. I'm looking to fellow audioholics for some advice!

 

[Unregistered]

I have heard the M60. A nice speaker, but anything but warm. If you are looking for a warm speaker, look elsewhere.

 

[BuddTX]

I am in the market for new speakers also, and Axiom has very much caught my interest.

I have to say, I have not yet heard them.

Go read the reviews and comments written of, course, here at audioholics, but also read the reviews and comments at:
Axiom Audio Forums
and
audioreview.com .

The way I look at it, with my descerning ear, and my budget for a first class AV system (as well as just for pure music), I cannot afford to NOT look at Axiom.

So, worst case, I get the speakers and do not like them, I send them back, and pay 50-100 bucks shipping.

I really like the sound of the upper end B&W speakers, and several people have likened the sound of the Axiom to the upper end B&Ws.

I realise that opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one, but when I am doing internet research, I look for trends, and, sure, I have read a couple of negative reviews of the Axiom line, but the large vast majority of users seem to love their Axioms.

Looking at a 800-1100/pair of Axioms, vs 3000-4000 for a nice B&W, until I win that lottery, I will take the less expensive pair, if the sound is compariable.

Not it's funny, but for the same reason that I like Axiom, I like SVS for sub-woofers, even though Axiom makes Sub-woofers.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Unregistered]

you got to remember reading the Axiom forum and Audioreview, you will get very one sided opinions.

 

[jzac]

M80ti...

I have been using Axiom's M80tis for the last 4-5 months now, and I love it absolutely!! I dare say that its in a class of its own. I use those speakers with my Yamaha RX-V2400 and it really sings.

I went through all the same research you guys are going through now, and checked with different forums. I auditioned a bunch of brands before settling on these speakers. As far as the sound goes I thought it was just perfect... not harsh at all... warm yes... crank that baby up as high as your ears can handle and you don't get any distortion whatsoever... just smooth. For me the balance was just right. I'm sure this opinion will differ from user to user. You need a good size room for the speakers to showoff... 2000 sq ft and above I'm guessing. There was nothing negative about these speakers and that peeked my curiosity initially. I thought, what the heck, let me try it out for 30 days and if I don't like it I'll send it back...! Well, it was too good to send it back, and for the money.... nothing came even close to it!

Believe me, even their M60ti's are excellent. Zipper bough a pair not too long ago. Check out his thread somewhere in this forum. You won't be disappointed with the M80ti's... let me put it that way.

Enjoy the shopping.

 

[Audioholics]

The Axiom Audio Epic 80 system was my reference system for over a year. For the price it's really hard to beat. We tossed out a couple of B&W 602s really quick when they arrived. Shop around for subs - at least until Axiom releases the new one they've been working on - then we'll see if its as good as their towers and surrounds.

 

[Unregistered]

As good as the M60 and M80 are...I have heard the M60 personally and think it is a great value and definitely much better than the B&W 600 series, lets be honest, it is not a "warm" speaker which the original poster is looking for.

 

[BuddTX]

The Axiom Audio Epic 80 system was my reference system for over a year. For the price it's really hard to beat. We tossed out a couple of B&W 602s really quick when they arrived. Shop around for subs - at least until Axiom releases the new one they've been working on - then we'll see if its as good as their towers and surrounds.

Clint,

Thanks for the heads up on the new sub-woofer "leaked info" from Axiom!

 

[soundjunkie]

Thanks for the replies so far! I guess I could add a little more to my "warm" statement. I don't want a speaker with a lot of highs, or overbearing tweeters without some lower end to counterbalance. The room I'll have these in is a living area, pretty open to other rooms, and 10' ceilings. I believe these would fill the room without any problem and at the not at the risk of clarity. I too am looking at the Yamaha 2400, so to hear they work well with that, is good to hear. Of course the Denon 3805 has weigh in there also. There will be alot of movie watching until the "theater room" is done in the bonus room, but there will also be a lot of music being piped through the system.

Keep sending those opinions. I love to read and see what other "addicts" have to say. Keep up the good work guys!!!!

 

[mdrew]

The 80's are on my short list too. The 2400 was a receiver that I was looking real hard at, but Axiom talked me out of buying it. I was told that it will drive the 60's just dandy, but not the 80's. They recommended that I buy Denon, HK or NAD if I go with the 80's. I specifically asked about the 2400 and was told that they had done some testing and found that it has trouble driving them at high volumes for extended periods of time. That was enough for me to drop it off my list.

I have absolutely no idea if this holds water or not, just relaying some information for you to ponder.

 

[jzac]

hmm....

I'm a little surprised at the Axiom advice on the V2400 not being good enough to drive the M80s for long. I have cranked them up as long as my ears can handle for about an hr or so without any problems (at - 5) ... unless they are talking about dangerously high volumes for an extended period of time... or for more than an hr or so when the 2400 might shut down. I've never had any problems thus far... and I guess it also depends on how high you want to crank your V2400 up to really test it! I think it handles perfectly for my use... the other receivers suggested by them are pretty good too. As far the V2400 receiver andy my M80s go... they are too darn good!!

 

[mdrew]

Me too. The 2400 was the receiver I had intended on buying. I kept asking the question over and over again from different angles in hopes that he would answer me differently. But he didn't. He stuck to his guns and would not recommend it. Again, he told me that it would work wonderfully with any of their other speakers, just not the 80's. I'm glad to here that you are not having troubles with it and please don't let my comments get you thinking. Sometimes we can convince ourselves that a rose smells like a turd, if you know what I mean.

Out of curiosity, now that you have the 80's, can you compare their sound to anything else that you may have heard?? I went speaker shopping last weekend and out of everything I listened to, the B&W 703's and Paradigm Studio 100's were to only ones that called to me. At $3000 and $2400, both are out of my price range. I guess I should clarify that, the only speakers under $5000 that called to me. I refused to listen to anything more than 5K.

 

[jzac]

Damn, they must be smoking something! Let me tell you this. You have my testimony here as far as the V2400 receiver goes with the M80. I think they jell wonderfully without any hitch at all. The receiver is too darn good not to drive a pair of 4 ohms m80's without any fuss. Speakers with a room sensitivity of 95 dB and you would think that it's easy enough for any receiver like the v2400 capabilty to drive it. Strange that Axiom didn't think so. Wonder if they were testing it at some absurb volume level and then found the receiver clipping or something. I can tell you with assurance that the V2400 is a superb piece of work. Denon's are excellent too. It matters what you are looking for as far as features and functionalities go that you can live with.

When I was in the market looking for speakers, I had listened to the B&W 703s that a friend of mine has, Paradigm studio 100s ver 3, Onix reference 2 speakers, and a bunch of other ones like the Boston Acoustics, DCM, etc. I liked the Paradigm a lot, but couldn't justify the price... for that matter, couldn't justify for the price for any of them. As far the sound goes, I thought the m80s were one of the cleanest sounding speakers with very authoritative bass I have ever heard. However, you need a decent sized room to really make it showoff. Their VP150 center speaker is absolutely astounding, and together with the m80s they make a superb set! Trust me on this. I'm a big movie and music fan. For the superb quality and price, there was nothing that came even close to it, and that was one of the factors for me! .... with the number of good drivers its got (6) it better be that darn good! Don't get hassled by what Axiom told you as far as the compatibility issue goes with the v2400. They go very well together IMHO!

 

[mdrew]

Thanks for the reply jzac,

That does it, I’m ordering the 80’s…..I’m going to put the 2400 back on my list too! I might as well get the center speaker while I’m at too. I have a Bose system right now for my HT, but the center just doesn’t have enough oomph….

The 80’s are going in my great room on the second zone. The great room is about 26 X 32. Sound carries great in this room, you can hear a bug fart 20’ feet away. I’m actually a little concerned that the 80’s might be overkill, but that’s me, I overdo everything.

A nice fella replied to me in another thread saying he was running the 80’s with a Denon 3805. He said there was a noticeable improvement in sound quality when he bi-amped the receiver. Maybe this is what Axiom is referring to, more peak power reserve?? I don’t know squat about this high tech audio. I just turn it on, twist a couple knobs and listen. It either sounds good to me, or it doesn’t.

I have some more questions for you. I’ll send you a PM.

Thanks again,

……mike

 

[jzac]

mdrew, did you peek into my living room by any chance?! Funny you mentioned you have Bose speakers 'cause I have the old crappy Bose Acoustimass 3 sitting as my surround speakers for now, which will be replaced soon by Axiom's QS8s (incredible speaker!). Bose is not too bad to use as surround speakers in the interim you buy a good one. I too thought m80s might be an overkill for me initially, but then I thought....what the heck, go for it and see what happens... good thing I did!

Yes, the more power juice you give these speakers the better it will sound... which is why people bi-amp or buy separates to get the full potential out of these kind of speakers. To me, it sounds awesome with the juice 2400 can give, and anything more will want me to go live in a pavilion versus living in a home! I guess you need to see if it fits your need... then you can decide if you want more power to these speakers or not.

Believe me, you won't be disappointed with either v2400 or the Denon. I'll betcha you will be more than happy with the v2400. I have m80tis, VP150, Acoustimass 3 for the surrounds, JBLs for the presence speakers, SVS 20-39 PC+ sub, and 1 QS8 for the rear center. Feel free to shoot me a pm if you have any questions. Enjoy your shopping... I know you will love the speakers and receiver!