Axiom First Impressions

[u2generator]

After using Bose 901's (several iterations) for the past three decades I decided I wanted a subwoofer. After several emails from several different manufacturers I found out that I would have to upgrade my old 4 channel AV. I also wanted a center channel. After much thought and many more emails, I decided to do away with the 901's and get a completely new system. Now, with this new system in mind I again went through the email scene with several internet companies and many, many review searches. I decided on Axioms. I did this with no auditions. In my area there are only a few audio stores. After listening to their choices and again reading reviews for those systems I decided to try Axiom. I am most happy with my selection. I have hardwood floors and was afraid of some of the posts/reviews talking about “brutally honest” or “overly bright” tendencies of these speakers. I can tell you right now this is absolutely not true. These speakers allow you to hear things such as: sizzle of cymbals, compression of tom-toms, vibrato of guitar licks, hand clapping (as in individual claps versus a sound of the correct frequency) and many more revelations. There is no overly bright sound to these speakers at all. There is just great, articulate sound. Your can watch music DVD’s and pick out instruments. The sound is incredible. Sorry for the long rant, but I wanted to give an honest appraisal of these speakers.
My system
M22’s as Mains
VP 150 Center
QS8 Surrounds
HSU VTF III MK 2
Yamaha HTR 5990
Old, old other Stuff
Large Smile On Face
Room Size= 3,200 cu ft

 

[apatel25314]

i hope to have a similar experience as my speakers should arrive in april
2 m80's
1vp150
4qs's
and im not sure on the sub

 

[gzyzwc]

Me too. Mine should get here tommorow!!!!!

pair M60
pair QS4
VP150
HSU VTF3 mk2

being powered by the Emotiva LMC/LPA duo.

 

[emorphien]

I agree. I never really found them bright but they are quite revealing speakers. I did however own the most mellow of the Axioms (M3Tis). In fact I still own them and will probably put them back to good use when I move.

My new Totems essentially improve on that high frequency characteristic by being smoother and more detailed and much better capable of reproducing the character and differences between higher frequency instruments. I should hope so though, they cost a lot more than the Axioms but I should say that the Axioms really hold their own nicely.

They're [axiom] an energetic and engaging speaker and the liveliness and clarity of their high frequencies are one of their defining characteristics that blend well with their overall balance.

 

[Matt34]

I expect to see new pictures in the member gallery section when these setups arrive.

 

[speakerman39]

I thought the same thing when I got to hear the Axiom M80's, VP150, Qs8's, and the M3Ti's. Extremely revealing and not bright at all leaving me with that "WoW" factor we audiophiles/enthusiasts dream of. I really wanted to own the Axioms BUT my budget would not allow. As a result, I ended up w/the Infinity Primus and could not be any happier--unless, of course, I had gotten the Axioms. The detail the Axiom speakers have is just absolutely stunning to say the least. Glad you had a similiar experience. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[agarwalro]

I am very happy with mine.

This is now officially the Axiom Fan Club thread .

 

[jp01104]

2 weeks

Received my m80's, VP150, QS8's on 2/28 (already had a HSU VTF#- MK3 and a Pioneer Elite VSX84 for a couple of weeks). I had heard B+W's, Def's, Klipsch and a couple of others. One which at least for me I really loved were the Focal Chorus 800 series (826's). If I had the approx $5000 it would have cost me I would own them. So after reading reviews on a few forums and talking to Axiom on the phone I took a chance. So far outside of the Focal's, which I heard in a sound room environment, the Axiom's to me (emphasis on the me) sound better than anything I heard in that $2400 price range. So far very happy.

 

[speakerman39]

Received my m80's, VP150, QS8's on 2/28 (already had a HSU VTF#- MK3 and a Pioneer Elite VSX84 for a couple of weeks). I had heard B+W's, Def's, Klipsch and a couple of others. One which at least for me I really loved were the Focal Chorus 800 series (826's). If I had the approx $5000 it would have cost me I would own them. So after reading reviews on a few forums and talking to Axiom on the phone I took a chance. So far outside of the Focal's, which I heard in a sound room environment, the Axiom's to me (emphasis on the me) sound better than anything I heard in that $2400 price range. So far very happy.

Wow jp you have one heck of a set-up there. I agree in that Axiom makes some of the best sounding speakers period-lots of bang for your buck so to speak.

 

[jp01104]

Wow jp you have one heck of a set-up there. I agree in that Axiom makes some of the best sounding speakers period-lots of bang for your buck so to speak.

definately hearing things I never heard before.

 

[littleb]

I thought I better join this thread since I'm also a grateful Axiom owner.

 

[speakerman39]

definately hearing things I never heard before.

Glad you are liking your speakers as you are one lucky guy!!!!!! I envy you man..............LOL!!!!! Anyways, just upgraded my center speaker from an Infinity Primus C25 to the all new and much larger PC350. Have really been amazed at the performance of the PC350. I also have just bought an SVS PB10-NSD and it is awesome. Still getting everything set-up and calibrated but w/the NCAA tournament on going it may have to wait. I will say so far the PB10-NSD is really complimenting my (2) Acoustic Research 8" subs quite nicely. But, nevertheless, you do have a very nice set-up.

 

[u2generator]

Thanks for all of the kind words. I almost had buyer’s remorse from saving about $150.00 by buying my HSU VTF 3.2 versus the 3.3 (the 3.2 better fit my budget). I did this just going by the room size charts. I didn’t call HSU or email them about this issue. My room is about 3,200 cu ft with four cased openings leading to other rooms. But, I really couldn’t use the potential of the 3.3. My wife comes up from the first level of our house anytime I crank the system to around 80 db complaining of the bass. She says it shakes the piss out of the ceiling. I still haven’t set it up with the Avia DVD but will do this some time when she is out-of-the-house. Have I mentioned I love my system?


TW

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks for all of the kind words. I almost had buyer’s remorse from saving about $150.00 by buying my HSU VTF 3.2 versus the 3.3 (the 3.2 better fit my budget). I did this just going by the room size charts. I didn’t call HSU or email them about this issue. My room is about 3,200 cu ft with four cased openings leading to other rooms. But, I really couldn’t use the potential of the 3.3. My wife comes up from the first level of our house anytime I crank the system to around 80 db complaining of the bass. She says it shakes the piss out of the ceiling. I still haven’t set it up with the Avia DVD but will do this some time when she is out-of-the-house. Have I mentioned I love my system?


TW

U2 sounds like to me you made a great choice. I no longer have to worry about a "WAF" but rather a "NAF"-"Neighbor Acceptance Factor". I have an older lady living directly next door as I reside in a mobile home. This is why I got the SVS PB10-NSD rather than the PB12-NSD and am quite happy with my choice. I have even went to check to see that I am NOT up-setting my next door neighbor. Furthermore, I do NOT play my set-up early morning nor late at night. However, if I am ever at home and my neighbor is gone then I immediatley crank my set-up to reference levels.......LOL!!!!! Basically, common sense goes a long ways when needed. Glad you are enjoying your speakers.

 

[pbarach1]

These speakers allow you to hear things such as: sizzle of cymbals, compression of tom-toms, vibrato of guitar licks, hand clapping (as in individual claps versus a sound of the correct frequency) and many more revelations. There is no overly bright sound to these speakers at all. There is just great, articulate sound.

Not to criticize Axiom as your choice (I haven't heard them), but I wonder if some of the improvement in clarity and detail is because these speakers don't generate a diffuse, reflected field of sound like Bose 901's do. When the 901's came out, I was impressed for about 10 minutes because all of that reflected sound made the orchestral recording that was playing sound so LARGE... but I soon realized that imaging was poor, and I bought something else.

 

[u2generator]

Not to criticize Axiom as your choice (I haven't heard them), but I wonder if some of the improvement in clarity and detail is because these speakers don't generate a diffuse, reflected field of sound like Bose 901's do. When the 901's came out, I was impressed for about 10 minutes because all of that reflected sound made the orchestral recording that was playing sound so LARGE... but I soon realized that imaging was poor, and I bought something else.

You are absolutely correct. These speakers are very much an improvement over Bose in that regard. Although I did listen to a few other speakers (I live in a fairly small town and didn’t want to travel to hear other systems) I wasn’t really impressed. I wanted to like Klipsch since I live in Arkansas and they are manufactured here. I just didn’t like them. I bought the Axiom’s unheard but like all of the things I had read about them. Is there something out there for the same price I might like better? Maybe, but I don’t want to go through the trouble of finding out. These are fine with me, for the situation with my wife.

Thanks,

TW

 

[littleb]

U2, I personally think you made a wise choice.

 

[EricAH916]

When playing in Stereo I use a a pair of m22's and a svs pb12plus. It sounds perfect, everythign from rock, to techno, all the way to hip hop. Now I just need to move out of this damn apartment..

 

[mango]

I wanted to like Klipsch since I live in Arkansas and they are manufactured here. I just didn’t like them.
u2, which Klipsch models did you demo?

 

[u2generator]

I don't remember the model numbers. There were a couple of book shelve speakers, the largest had a 6" woofer. I also listended to a floor standing model that I believe had 2-6" woofers. Sorry for the lack of information but this was several months ago. I also could find but a few reviews of Klipsch.

TW