Axiom M22 vs M60

[trinibwoy]

Hi All,

Been lurking here for a while and have gotten a lot of info and advice by browsing through the threads but thought I'd up and ask a question (a few actually).

I currently have a 2.1 setup with Ascend 170SE's and an SVS PB-10 in a 12' x 18' room. I want to step up just a little to a proper 5.1 setup and have some clarifying questions. I'm pretty much decided on either QS4s or QS8s for the surrounds.

- Is the Axiom M22 bookshelf a decent upgrade from the 170SE's? In general what advantages does a 2 x 5.25" design have over a 1 x 6.25" ?

- For center is another M22 the best choice or is a dedicated center like the VP100 or VP150 better?

- Given that I already have a pretty good sub in the PB-10 is there any advantage at all to going straight to the M60 tower or will the M22's + PB10 be just as good as M60's + PB10?

Thanks in advance!

 

[the grunt]

I will try and answer the questions I feel I can.

I'm pretty much decided on either QS4s or QS8s for the surrounds.

I think that the QS speakers are the standout speakers in the Axiom lineup so you can’t go wrong here.

- Given that I already have a pretty good sub in the PB-10 is there any advantage at all to going straight to the M60 tower or will the M22's + PB10 be just as good as M60's + PB10?

I think the biggest advantage to using the M60s over the M22s is if you plan to listen to 2.0 stereo. Also they will also play louder and fill a large volume with sound, however based on posts I’ve read in the Axiom forum I think you would be very happy with the M22s and a sub as long as you plan to use the sub all the time and your ceiling is 8’ to 10‘ high for that room area.

- For center is another M22 the best choice or is a dedicated center like the VP100 or VP150 better?

If you can fit it I would choose the M22 especially if you get the M22s for mains as this will give you the ideal situation of having three identical speakers across the front.

If you haven’t already, post these questions in the Axiom forum you might get more feedback.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker Demo

What do you find lacking in the Ascends? You might consider an in home demo of the Axiom M22's and Ascend 340's before switching brands. AV123 also has a risk free policy on thier bookshelf speakers including the new X-LS Encore.

 

[silversurfer]

If you do a search on the Axiom and Ascend boards, you will see that M22's and CBM-170's (old and new) have been compared a fair amount. There are comparisons on the AV123 board as well.

If you are going to make a change, then I suggest making a bigger one. Like jc posted, go tot he CMT-340SE, or the M60's. From AV123, I would skip the X-LS Encore, and go to something bigger as well.

 

[trinibwoy]

Hmmmm thanks guys. I did a fair bit of browsing at the Axiom forum but didnt see a comparison to the 170's. I'll check again.

In terms of what's lacking with the 170's there's nothing that I don't like in particular. I'm just wondering if I'm missing any midrange by going with a single 6.5" driver in the 170's compared to the 2 5.25" in the M22. I have a pretty good sub (PB10) so I don't know if I gain anything from the low end on the 170's.

I'm getting some QS8 surrounds from Axiom so I was contemplating what I want to do across the front. Going all Axiom was one option. Given that the M22 is the Axiom flagship and the 170 is the second tier Ascend bookshelf I figured the M22 would be an upgrade.

 

[silversurfer]

Hmmmm thanks guys. I did a fair bit of browsing at the Axiom forum but didnt see a comparison to the 170's. I'll check again.

I found comparisons there about a year or so ago. Did you search Ascend's forum as well?

From what I recall in my search, the 170 and M22 were comparable. If you are looking for more midbass output, I think you should look at the 340 or M60.

Then again, if you are getting Axiom surrounds, an all Axiom system would be nice. The one thing I don't like about the Axiom surrounds is that, in my opinion, they do not have enough bass extension, and if you utilize the standard 80hz bass management, you will have a hole in your response.