Axiom Only

[dbarry]

I noticed that Audioholics (AH) has selected an Axiom loudspeaker system as the ultimate $5K system. Now you might say that I am a red blooded American and what good red blooded American would not abide by the current American axiom: “Trust not your brother, your brothers keeper and not even your mother to tell you the truth if it fits their needs”. Look at politics or corporate scandal as examples.

OK enough ballyhoo. So the $5,000 system is the target system cost for most home theater owners. So AH does not get a kick back for “Our Picks on What to Buy” selections. I think I trust AH; don’t you?

I think I am just about to buy the Axiom system selected by AH. Did you notice by chance or coincidence that AH modified the Audio Epic Grandmaster system so that all tweeters and mids for the center, front-left, front right, and surrounds are of the same size. I am thinking that the best way to match timber (sp) and have good frequency response is to have all the same speakers – maybe more speakers in one cabinet than another but that is the only difference. If there is a defect in the sound who is going to be able to compare it and know the sound to be right or wrong – except maybe the artist that composed it. Secondly, since most hi fi is two channels is it not true that the system sounds better if the surround speakers are identical to the fronts?

SO HERE IS A NO BULL POST. HAS ANYONE ACTUALLY PURCHASED AXIOM AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SYSTEM? IN ADDITION, DID YOU USE THE AH RECOMMENDED SPEAKER CONFIGURATION?

 

[warpdrive]

Axiom owners are a happy bunch. The Internet direct model works well for a lot of people...they get to try the speakers in their own home, and if they like 'em, they keep 'em. Otherwise they send them back.

I do take reviews with a grain of salt though, as it is only YOUR ears that can decide if they are really good as they say. I've heard Axiom speakers in the past and I can't say they make me want to pull out my wallet, and I prefer to audition and deal with a local dealer. I believe you can beat Axiom's sound and value for the dollar by careful shopping with non-Internet brands.

So, if you want to go Axiom, by all means give them a try, you may find happiness, or you may be out a bit of money in freight costs in sending them back. Either way, you'll be one step further toward the right system for you.

As for knowing what good sound is.....it's a bit of experience, trusting your ears and instinct, and knowing what to listen for. Also, comparing speakers side-by-side can also be revealing.

 

[bray]

Only YOUR ears count.

After listening to several different kinds of speakers, before I purchased, I went with the Axiom Epic60 package except for the sub(they didnt have the new line at the time). I'm yet to hear (IMO) any speakers in their price range that even comes close.
Are there better sounding speakers out there. YES. I just couldnt justify spending the $$$.
For the naysayers out there. Fine. MY ears like what I hear.
I would recomend Axiom (and have) to anyone that wants a GREAT sounding speaker at a GREAT price.

 

[Seabear]

I bought them, and originally found them from poking around on this site.
I trust Audioholics. Seems like a well reasoned and well spoken site.
So do most of the posters I have read here.
Which I can also enthusiasticly say about everyone on the Axiom site.
(Is there a reason why you did not post this question there? You would have gotten some great replys.)
I bought the M60s, Qs8s, VP150, EP350 & M2is.
They are everything that I could have hoped for, and nothing short of what I expected after doing a lot of research and reading about them on the internet.
I listened to just about everything that they were compared to, and I agreed with many of the comments about the products that they were compared to - good and bad.
I made my decision as best I could, and I am very happy with it.
You will to come to your own conclusion.
That is the fun part of this hobby!
Would I buy them again? Absolutely.
Would I reccomend them to a friend? Already have, and will continue to do so.
Would I tell you that you would absolutely be as happy as I am with them?
Not in a million years!
TjB

 

[littleb]

I did some shopping before I bought Axiom. I auditioned a number of the big B&M brands, such as B&W, psb, paradigm. None of these seemed be that impressive or were a little over my budget. I actually purchased a pair of B&W 602s3 bookshelves which I returned. It was through my disappointment with these that I stumbled upon Axiom's website, where I was given some good advice by a couple of the local residents of the message board. So, I figured I didn't have anything to lose, so I ordered my Axiom m22ti's, fully expecting to be disappointed. Instead, I was filled with jaw dropping glee when I first listened to them. I later ordered the vp100 CC, and QS8 surrounds. I'm happy with each one of them. I got myself some very nice speakers for about 1K, which was what I wanted to spend. I don't know if this is of any help to you, all I can really say is that I'm happy.

 

[Takeereasy]

Just a thought, but many company's sites including Axiom, have discussion boards. A lot of times on these sites there are people willing to demo their systems for other locals thinking about making a purchase. You might want to look into that so that you can hear before you buy. Good luck.

 

[brownswan]

I use Axiom M3ti speakers with a Klipsch sub (8" model). The setup works well in our small, NY apartment. It is a very 'musical' system and we listen mainly to classical music, especially chamber and vocal music, as well as jazz. It also works well as the main part of a surround system with the TV.

This is a much simpler system than those being discussed here. I like the fact that the 6" speaker carries most of the information, the crossover to the tweeter being fairly high, probably in the 3-4KHz area. Meanwhile, we have the Klipsch working from about 80Hz down, so crossovers are avoided throughout most of the listening range. Perhaps that's why music sounds so natural.

The ability of the sub-woofer to blend and extend the lower octave + was more important than sheer power. At the time I bought the Klipsch, the Axiom sub did not have a phase control, and I thought that would be handy for offsetting room placement difficulties. It was a happy choice; other subs might be preferred for sheer power, especially for video, rock, and club music.

 

[RJB]

Compare, compare, compare

Yes, I ended up with Axiom speakers even though I didn't have the chance to audition them first. It was a calculated risk, but in my case it has worked out VERY well.

I did audition speakers from a number of manufacturers including Totem and I found that the general rule of "you only get what you pay for" still applies.

In addition to the auditions I also did extensive research on the net, getting specs for all the speakers I was interested in. Axiom caught my eye at first because of the reviews here but I also picked up quite a few from Europe & Asia. The general vote was better than 90% positive.

In the end I decided to try Axiom for a number of reasons, they are Canadian, their performance is evaluated by the NRC, an institution I respect, their price point is excellent and they have a have 30 day return policy.

Whether you like a speaker or not is, ultimately, up to your own ears. I have been extremely pleased with my Axiom speakers. There are more expensive and better sounding options available but trying to balance price to performance to budget was a critical factor for me.

 

[Tex-amp]

Keep in mind that the recommended list comes only from what Audioholics has reviewed.

 

[Audioholics]

Our recommended list is more appropriately what we've had at least some level of experience with. There may not be full reviews on everything in it - just to clarify. You'll also see the components change - and additional systems brought online shortly as we're working on some ideas to really expand this area.

There's 30 ways to skin a cat (yech) so its likely not everyone will agree with our picks all the time - but we do our best to stick the best bang for the buck in there - especially on the more budget-oriented systems.

The matched Axioms were partially chosen for their cost. Be aware that the QS surrounds cost about twice as much in that case - popping us over the budget limit or forcing us to go 5.1. There's a lot of flexibility in these configurations, so don't necessarily hold your system to exactly what we spec.

 

[Tex-amp]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Peppy]

I got a pair of M80 in late November, and for a will I found the sound was good but I was a bit disappointed because all the great reviews I read about them; I guess I was expected a jaw dropping experience right away.

Now 4 month later " WOW" I would not sell them, under twice what I paid for. I don't know if it was the break in period point I had to pass, or let my ear get use to great sound but I will cherish the baby like my 3 sons for the rest of my life.

 

[slopoke]

Just a thought, but many company's sites including Axiom, have discussion boards. A lot of times on these sites there are people willing to demo their systems for other locals thinking about making a purchase. You might want to look into that so that you can hear before you buy. Good luck.

Yeah, if you're near Chicago you can listen to mine.

 

[bray]

or mine

Or if you're near Dallas Tx you can listen to mine.
Denon 2805
Axiom M60s, VP100, QS8s, HSU VTF3 MK2
Good Luck

 

[Seabear]

Charlottesville, Virginia.
But I'm sure by now you have wandered over to the Axiom site and taken a look at the Auditioning Axioms in your area thread...
Or have you already decided?
We never heard...

 

[mdrew]

Love mine.....M80TI's. No regrets whatsoever. The customer service is second to none. The board regulars are also a group of class act folks willing to go very far out of their way to help too. Very freindly group.

I use the M80's for stereo only with an Outlaw sub. All running off the second zone of my HK 7200.

You could always try a set for 30 days and send them back if you don't like them. I doubt you will though.

good luck...........mike

 

[victoriacoffee]

Glad I found them

Purchased mine last November. Was nearly thrown out of the house when the bill arrived as it had the Denon 3805 and 3910 on it as well. But since the wife loves classical music, they have since won her over.

At first I listened to music in multichannel. But now I listen in stereo or pure direct as the imaging is wonderful and much more natural. My only negative observation with the M80s is that they are a little on the bright side. However, this may be more of a result of placement restraints and hardwood floors than actual speaker characteristics.

Would I purchase them again knowing what I know now. Yes.

 

[Zarg]

The O.C. Chimes In

Zarg here; Orange County, Californication

M60's, QS8's, VP-150 -- very satisfied with my purchase. (Went with an SV Subwoofer). (Running off a Denon 3805.) All visitors agree that I got a huge "bang" for the bucks -- a really good value! (And my visitors include professional musicians, as well as couch potatoes like me... they would tell me if I had wasted my money.)

I'm a very satisfied Axiom owner. I can't see how I could have achieved better sound without spending significantly more money.

You asked for a testimonial -- you got it. But, candidly, you need to decide on your own what sounds good to you.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Purchased mine last November. Was nearly thrown out of the house when the bill arrived as it had the Denon 3805 and 3910 on it as well. But since the wife loves classical music, they have since won her over.

At first I listened to music in multichannel. But now I listen in stereo or pure direct as the imaging is wonderful and much more natural. My only negative observation with the M80s is that they are a little on the bright side. However, this may be more of a result of placement restraints and hardwood floors than actual speaker characteristics.

Would I purchase them again knowing what I know now. Yes.

VC,

Your M80Ti's are rated at 4 ohms, yet seem efficient. Do they strain your Denon at all? Would you say they are more efficient than inefficient?

 

[westie7]

I just recommened Axiom, based on the info here, to a friend who was in the market for a small setup. We just got everything setup and love them.