Axiom speakers?

[ndsh]

Hi there. I have recently discovered the forum in my quest to select new speakers. I have sifted through the forum and equipment reviews to answer many questions but I am looking for responses from those who have auditioned or own Axiom speakers.

Situation: In a surprise move, Mrs. Claus left me a blank check for a new receiver for Christmas. Previously I was using a Yamaha RX 350 2 channel amp on a music:movies 65:35 ratio. Considering my desire to gradually build a home theatre, my positive relationship with Yamaha for the past 20 years and likelihood for further mid-long term equipment integration, I selected an HTR 5860. I love it. Unfortunately it has exposed my speakers for what they are.

I plan to add speakers gradually in the following order: fronts, sub, centre, surrounds. Currently I am looking for my fronts and I have decided on bookshelves (wall mounted or on stands tbd).

I am looking to spend ~C$500

So far, I have auditioned
Klipsch RB15, RB25
Paradigm Monitor3, Studio20
Tannoy Mercury F2
B&W DM600
Polk RTi6

I loved the "precise" sound of the Klipsch but was not crazy about the highs specifically when listening to Norah Jones Come Away With Me

I was generally disappointed with the "weak" performance of the BW

I generally enjoyed the sound of both the Tannoy and Polk although I felt they lacked the "precision" of the Klipsch

Monitor3 was all right but then I heard the Studio20s. WOW. I felt they had the precision of the Klipsch and the balanced frequency response of the Tannoy and Polk. Then I saw the price tag. At nearly twice what I want to spend they are non starters.

Digging around the reviews and the forum here, the Axioms seem to have a strong following, unfortunately I can't listen to without buying. I know I can return them but would like to be reasonable sure they were the ones before ordering.

Specifically I am intriqued with both the M3 and M22. Both are well reviewed here with the M3 compared to the RB15 and the M22 to the Studio40. For those who have heard these speakers what are your impressions? Are you able to compare them against some of the others I have? Thanks for your patience with a long first post!

Norm

 

[j_garcia]

I'm surprised that the B&Ws didn't do better. I find them to be fine music speakers.

The M22 is not direct competition for the Studio 40s, IMO, but they are better than the Monitor 5s, which I used to own. The Axioms give up bass extension to maintain a clear midrange and they do it well, but they are not quite as dynamic as the Studios to my ears. Personally, I find both the Axioms and the Paradigm Studios bright, not as much as Klipsch though.

If you're going to look for something to give 40s competition, I'd take a look at the CMT-340 from www.ascendacoustics.com or the NHT M5 and M6 Evolutions. www.nhthif.com The new Classic line from NHT might be interesting too, though I haven't heard them yet.

Other Canadian speakers you might want to check around for - PSB, Mirage, Energy.

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm surprised that the B&Ws didn't do better. I find them to be fine music speakers.

The M22 is not direct competition for the Studio 40s, IMO, but they are better than the Monitor 5s, which I used to own. The Axioms give up bass extension to maintain a clear midrange and they do it well, but they are not quite as dynamic as the Studios to my ears. Personally, I find both the Axioms and the Paradigm Studios bright, not as much as Klipsch though.

If you're going to look for something to give 40s competition, I'd take a look at the CMT-340 from www.ascendacoustics.com or the NHT M5 and M6 Evolutions. www.nhthif.com The new Classic line from NHT might be interesting too, though I haven't heard them yet.

Other Canadian speakers you might want to check around for - PSB, Mirage, Energy.

Correct to www.nhthifi.com

 

[3db]

I concur with j_garcia

I'm surprised that the B&Ws didn't do better. I find them to be fine music speakers.

The M22 is not direct competition for the Studio 40s, IMO, but they are better than the Monitor 5s, which I used to own. The Axioms give up bass extension to maintain a clear midrange and they do it well, but they are not quite as dynamic as the Studios to my ears. Personally, I find both the Axioms and the Paradigm Studios bright, not as much as Klipsch though.

If you're going to look for something to give 40s competition, I'd take a look at the CMT-340 from www.ascendacoustics.com or the NHT M5 and M6 Evolutions. www.nhthif.com The new Classic line from NHT might be interesting too, though I haven't heard them yet.

Other Canadian speakers you might want to check around for - PSB, Mirage, Energy.

The axioms are a bright speaker. very detailed but bright. Alot of people like their sound but its not for me. I prefer PSB over both Paradigm and Axiom . PSB are a very neutral sounding speakers, some may find them a lil dark at first. But the longer one listens to them the more one starts hearing their subtleties. They are very detailed but not in a bright way. They reveal very subtle nuances, their midranges are lifelike, the bass tight deep, fast, and musical. I'm referring mainly to their Image line. which is the middle of there line.

 

[agarwalro]

The brightness can be tamed with room treatments, but for a speaker that has a bad frequency response, there is no cure.

Personally, I dont consider the Axioms to be bright, just detailed.

 

[scotty11]

norm,

I just got Axiom M60's and VP150 center.

I auditioned Paradigm Studio 40's,and also considered Monitor 11's and PSB.
The Axioms have great midrange and what some may call "bright" treble. I think they are excellent speakers.

the M22's i think have the same drivers as the M50, which are found in all the floorstanding speakers,with the exception of the "sub"woofer in the 60 and 80.

I previously had Polk RT28s as my mains,they are my surround speakers now.

I have a Yamaha reciever and the Axioms struck me as bright at first but they won me over quickly.I just was not used to truly clear and accurate midrange and treble.

Ive heard Yamaha Recievers paired with Axiom or Klipsch may sound too bright but i dont agree.
Its a matter of individual tastes when it comes to speakers.
Ive heard klipsch and i find the Axioms to be warmer sounding.

I went with the Axioms because they were less expensive then the Paradigms and also their 30 day return policy.
If you returned the M22's you would only pay the return shipping which is less then $15 depending on location.
I was planning on returning them if i wasnt happy but i am very pleased with their sound and build quality.

For "home Theater", you do need a quality sub with any of the Axiom speakers or any other mfg.IMO

I would try the M22's and buy a good subwoofer to start.
If you spend the money for a good sub then you can save money on the main speakers,no need to go big.
let the sub take care of most of the bass and LFE.

when it comes to watching movies, a good sub will really give you that "wow" factor even with small but quality front speakers

 

[LCRush]

While I have not heard the Klipsch in my home, I did consider them prior to purchasing the Polks. I am not sure what is meant by the Polks you heard, not being precise. Mine seem to place the surround sound very well and I am more than pleased with my purchase. Pink Floyd's, DSOTM, places the sound from the front, sides, back, and center. It is hard to imagine the Klipsch speakers do better, but it is possible. The reason I chose the Polks over the Klipsch is because I heard the latter were very bright or crisp and my room has tiled floors and lots of windows. The Polks were also, a little bright, but either my ear has become accustomed to them or the break in of 50 hours helped. I find them great and would purchase them again.

 

[j_garcia]

One man's detailed is another man's bright It is a good idea to find out what YOU like and compare to what other say, because people's opinions and tastes are all different.

I generally prefer speakers with soft dome tweeters, though as with all speakers, the overall design that gives a speaker it's character. I like my Mordaunts because they have very clear midrange, similar to the Axioms (they use a similarly designed midbass), without as much of an edge to the highs despite using an aluminum dome tweeter.

I owned Paradigms for years and after a lot of listening to other speakers, I found that they didn't have the sound that I wanted when it came time to upgrade. The Axioms have a much clearer midrange than the Monitor line, but the highs are more similar than not, and that was what I was trying to move away from. Having always had soft domes in my cars, I started looking for speakers with soft domes and I found what I was looking for

There is no break in period for speakers; there's nothing to break in.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The only Klipsch I preferred over my Polk RTi series were the Reference line, but were too pricey at the time. IMO, all but Klipsch reference were a little too "in your face" for me.

For $15 shipping, you may want to demo the Axioms. That's not a lot of money for speakers you'll have for a very long time. Based on your listening eval's, I'd also recommend PSB's and Energy bookshelves. You may enjoy the high end of those even more than what you've already heard.

Speakers are a personal choice. If you don't care for the tweeter, stay away.

 

[ndsh]

Great input so far. Thanks. So we are on the same adjective page, I believe that my use of PRECISE is equivalent to BRIGHT or DETAILED or CLEAR.

If so, that is the sound I am going for.

 

[ndsh]

I was surprised with the B&W as well. I specifically auditioned them since some friends swear by them. Personally I felt they were a little muted and in some of my demo tracks, I noticed less response in higher female vocals and particularly with cymbals.

WRT to the Studio40s, I didn't expect the M22s would be equal but I really enjoy the sound of the Studio20s so I was trying get something useful (for me) out of the bookshelf review

 

[j_garcia]

Sounds like M22s might be right up your alley then, and price range too

 

[zumbo]

Pre-owned is an option. If it's the sound you like.
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/43c448000053ea782740ac10034105e2/Product/View/2286

PSB from authorized dealer.
http://www.yawaonline.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=YO&Product_Code=PSB_B25&Category_Code=PSB

Mordaunt Short (aluminum domes) OOPS!
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS912BL

 

[rikmeister]

i would add quad 11L and 12L to the list and look at onix and

swan too. take a look at www.audiogon.com you can find good deals there .

 

[j_garcia]

Mordaunt Short (soft domes)
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS912BL

Those are almost identical to the 902s I have, except they have a different midbass driver and a slightly modified crossover. They are aluminum domes, not soft dome, but definitely not bright. Very musical speaker. The veneers could be higher quality, but the price is good for the sound they produce. I'm very happy with them.

 

[ndsh]

Thanks..

for the input. I hve just pulled the trigger on a pair of M22s. Hopefully they are what I'm looking for and from your descriptions, they just might be.

Norm

 

[scotty11]

Once you get the sub,i think you'll be pleased.

 

[CCASD]

I am not an expert but just purchased NHT speakers and am very impressed. I was on a budget so i went with the M5 for my Center, Right and Left and a 12 inch sub. I purchased SB2 for my rears. Overall the best speaker i heard during my search. I woulld also note to shop around for the NHT speakers - i was able to find a good deal online. sounddistributors.com if you are interested.

 

[j_garcia]

The M5s and M6s were some of my favorites too. I was down to the Studio 40s and M6s, but then I got my hands on a pair of the A/V-2s I have now...decision made