Axiom M80's vs Paradigm 90P's

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newfmp3

Audioholic
to be used for music, and home theater. Probably 65% HT. We listen to pop, top 40, rock. I'm the type of person that can not stand Bose :) Meaning, I like good clear highs, and strong bass. Bose speakers are way to tin'y for me. Actually, the first thing I do with any system whether it's in a car, home stereo etc is start turning down mid's or leave them at 0, and bass/treble up. At least for music purposes. Hometheater is alittle different with the need for good mids for panning and imaging effects of course. I find Bose muddy, muffled, not clear, and zero bass, just bad muffled mid range. Only mentioning these things to give you an idea of what I don't want.


Anyways.

I was thinking of getting the 90p's as the powered sub's interest me. Of course, whatever set I choose will eventually get a sub anyways.

has anyone compared these two speakers?



my current setup is rather old. But, it's a combination of Carver power amps, and pre amp, with Cerwin Vega D-9's. This setup will be retired to another room strickly for music until it dies as I will never sell it.


The new system will be on a soon to be purchased Denon 3805, or if it's updated version comes out in time.
 
Buckeyefan 1

Buckeyefan 1

Audioholic Ninja
You're not going to like the 3805 based on your listening preferences. I'd recommend a Pioneer Elite receiver instead. Trust me. Compare the two side by side.
 
C

cbraver

Audioholic Chief
I've owned both, I don't think you can go wrong either way. I'm a huge fan of my 3805 though. What makes you say he would like an Elite better?

...

I would stay away from anything with a powered sub built into it, actually, especially at that price range and if you are planning on buying a subwoofer anyways.
 
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cam

cam

Audioholic
I agree with cbraver, if you are planning on getting a powered sub then there is no need to pay the high price of the 90p's. Speakers such as the 90p's were developed for the sole purpose of people with no room or desire for a dedicated powered sub. If I was you I would back off the 90p's and look at the paradigm 7's, 9's, or 11's and use the money you saved on a potent sub or a more powerful receiver. Or keep the money in your pocket for something else down the road. If you decide that maybe a dedicated sub is not for you then the 90p's would be perfect. I'm just trying to help you make a sensible decision, but just maybe, you have a lot off money just burnin a hole in your pocket in which case, get the powered towers and a powered sub later.
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
but the question was which one?

Paradigm or Axiom? even if I said Monitor 11's vs M80's. Which one?

I will defintely listen to other receivers besides the denon though, thanks
 
N

Nick250

Audioholic Samurai
newfmp3 said:
but the question was which one?

Paradigm or Axiom? even if I said Monitor 11's vs M80's. Which one?
The only one who can answer that question is you. Speaker choice is so subjective. What you need to do is go out and audition as many speakers as you can and then come back here and let us know what YOU learned from the auditions. IMO there is no way to get around gettine one's butt in the car and audition, audition and audition some more.

Nick
 
Paulvader

Paulvader

Junior Audioholic
I was wary myself of buying speakers with built-in subs. I was about to purchase the monitor 7's, but the price on the clearance 90P's got my attention. I listened, found out about the built in sub, and now own these awesome badboys!!! :D My personal thought on the sub is that I don't mind it built-in as opposed to an independant sub. I get great sound out of these guys. If you do decide to go with them, could you not add a sub later? Personally, I don't feel the need to get one and I haven't had any complaints from my neighbours, yet!!
 
Buckeyefan 1

Buckeyefan 1

Audioholic Ninja
cbraver said:
I've owned both, I don't think you can go wrong either way. I'm a huge fan of my 3805 though. What makes you say he would like an Elite better?

...

I would stay away from anything with a powered sub built into it, actually, especially at that price range and if you are planning on buying a subwoofer anyways.

He likes clear highs and strong bass. The Elite receivers are definitely right up his alley. They are brighter and punchier than the Denon's, although you can tweak the Denons to sound just like them with a little help from the parametric eq. With a side by side comparison of the Denon and Elite, in pure direct mode, the Elite will sound brighter. Just as the Yamaha will sound a tad brighter than the Denon, and the Denon a tad brighter than the Harman Kardon and Onkyos.
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
Buckeyefan 1 said:
He likes clear highs and strong bass. The Elite receivers are definitely right up his alley. They are brighter and punchier than the Denon's, although you can tweak the Denons to sound just like them with a little help from the parametric eq. With a side by side comparison of the Denon and Elite, in pure direct mode, the Elite will sound brighter. Just as the Yamaha will sound a tad brighter than the Denon, and the Denon a tad brighter than the Harman Kardon and Onkyos.


well, i never intended to start talking about amps, but this is a definite help. Killer is I am not sure if i can audition the pioneer and yammie's locally. I'll look around. i know i can my hands on Denon's in numerous places.

thanks
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
Paulvader said:
I was wary myself of buying speakers with built-in subs. I was about to purchase the monitor 7's, but the price on the clearance 90P's got my attention. I listened, found out about the built in sub, and now own these awesome badboys!!! :D My personal thought on the sub is that I don't mind it built-in as opposed to an independant sub. I get great sound out of these guys. If you do decide to go with them, could you not add a sub later? Personally, I don't feel the need to get one and I haven't had any complaints from my neighbours, yet!!

it's pretty much a given that if I go with the axiom's I'll need a sub right away. Lets not forget I'm used to 15" vega's.

Given the WAF, I'm not sure what i can swing first. Axiom's plus sub, or 90p's. given the 90p's don't need a sub,meaning less space taken up in the living room, that's a good basis for arguement with the woman :) But, i have only heard the monitor 3,5,7's in person on a Denon 2805, and I have to say I was not impressed.

From what i am reading, the axioms should be a little clearer highs, but less bass obviously. Bass I can fix, clear highs I can not. The 90p's are also quite $$$ apparantly but they do sure look purdy.
 
C

cownd

Junior Audioholic
Just to add more confusion....

Look at the Studio 20/40 and a sub combo!! I think the price's would be similar to the 90p??(Depending on the sub) - But you may get nicer sound IMO.
 
shokhead

shokhead

Audioholic General
Buckeyefan 1 said:
You're not going to like the 3805 based on your listening preferences. I'd recommend a Pioneer Elite receiver instead. Trust me. Compare the two side by side.
Trust me,your not going to like the Pioneer,get the 3805.
 
shokhead

shokhead

Audioholic General
newfmp3 said:
it's pretty much a given that if I go with the axiom's I'll need a sub right away. Lets not forget I'm used to 15" vega's.

Given the WAF, I'm not sure what i can swing first. Axiom's plus sub, or 90p's. given the 90p's don't need a sub,meaning less space taken up in the living room, that's a good basis for arguement with the woman :) But, i have only heard the monitor 3,5,7's in person on a Denon 2805, and I have to say I was not impressed.

From what i am reading, the axioms should be a little clearer highs, but less bass obviously. Bass I can fix, clear highs I can not. The 90p's are also quite $$$ apparantly but they do sure look purdy.
Those built-in subs are better for music but they cant compare to a $600 stand alone sub.
 
zipper

zipper

Full Audioholic
As an owner of Axiom M60's I can tell you that driving the 80's with just a receiver MAY not let them sound their best. I started out with just my Yammy hooked to them & was wondering where all the bass that I had been reading about was. Once I pumped some more juice into them the sound evened out & is now quite enjoyable. Also note that the 80's are 4 ohm which may or may not be an issue for you. I'm still convinced that, for $800 delivered, I could not find a better tower.

This is just my experience with an Axiom/Yamaha combo................perhaps it will be different with a Denon or Pioneer.


Remember the 30-day return policy that Axiom has. It will only cost you return shipping should you not be pleased.
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
zipper said:
As an owner of Axiom M60's I can tell you that driving the 80's with just a receiver MAY not let them sound their best. I started out with just my Yammy hooked to them & was wondering where all the bass that I had been reading about was. Once I pumped some more juice into them the sound evened out & is now quite enjoyable. Also note that the 80's are 4 ohm which may or may not be an issue for you. I'm still convinced that, for $800 delivered, I could not find a better tower.

This is just my experience with an Axiom/Yamaha combo................perhaps it will be different with a Denon or Pioneer.


Remember the 30-day return policy that Axiom has. It will only cost you return shipping should you not be pleased.
if I need extra power, I have the carver power amps.
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
well, I ordered a hsu vtf-3 mk2 last night. So, I don't need to get the 90p's now.


I need to narrow down between monitor 11's, studio 60's, and axiom 80's. Might order the Axiom's today actually.
 
cam

cam

Audioholic
My vote goes for the 60's also. Just remember though, what ever set you decide on, get the matching center, it's very important for HT and multi channel music to get a seamless timbre match.
 
N

newfmp3

Audioholic
axiom 80's have been ordered. There was no way I can audition either the studio's or 80's before hand.

At least with the 80's I can send them back if I don't like them within 30 days.

With the studio's, the dealer basically wanted me to pay for them before I even heard them....forget it.

if I like the 80's, I'm going to order the matching center and surrounds. vp-150/qs8's
 
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