Axiom Vs. Paradigm

[AngelusNexx]

I have recently decided to dramatically increase my home theatre budget. I would like to get peoples take on Paradigm and Axiom. Also If someone could give me an idea of what Im gonna pay for some Paradigm or Paradigm reference speakers... I cant find prices on anything from Paradigm and no one around here carries them.

Thanks.

 

[Privateer]

Also If someone could give me an idea of what Im gonna pay for some Paradigm or Paradigm reference speakers

For the top of the line without the special finish it will cost you $6500CND for the towers.

 

[AngelusNexx]

Oh thats quite a bit more than the Axiom. I can get the Epic 80 Home Theatre for jsut the price of the Paradigm towers. Unless you ment the Signiture series which I already know I cant afford.

 

[RJB]

Axiom

I have Axiom speakers and just love them. Some people say they are a little bright but I don't find that even though I have a Yamaha AV receiver, also supposedly somewhat bright. I wasn't able to audition them so I took and leap of faith and wasn't disappointed.

You should try to audition them if you can, although they have an excellent 30 day return policy. The best thing to do is check out their web site, they have a forum where people who are willing to have guests come over and listen post their contact information. With a little luck you'll be able to find someone in your area.

Also, search the forums here, you'll find lots of Axiom related posts.

The first & generally last word when it comes to speakers is...audition...audition & audition...

You will be sure to enjoy whichever speakers you end up with!

 

[RLA]

Here is my take
I am about to start a review on the M-80 system without giving the review away
Get the M-80's with the money you saved get an entry level acoustical room treatment package You now have a system that will sound better than the stand alone Paradigms and still have enough dough left over for a nice vacation.

In a head to head match up between Paradigm Monitor series and the Axiom IMOHO the Axiom sounds better to me others may disagree but I find the M-80's have a bolder more dynamic sound that I prefer
Happy Listening

 

[AngelusNexx]

Man I posted this on other forums and the response has all been towards axiom. Im all for saving money(Im still im college) so I am giving the Axioms a try. Before I do though should I even consider Aperion over Axiom? I hear so much about Axiom but nothing about Aperion which is a little cheaper and would save me more money.

I researched the prices on the paradigm a little more and I just am not willing to put that into speakers just yet. The best speaker system Ive owned thus far is a pioneer HTIB so this is a HUGE upgrade for me.


***So now sadly I must forget about the Paradigms for now. So Im gonna switch up the discussion. Aperion Vs. Axiom. ***

Thanks guys.

 

[jimmit]

I have recently decided to dramatically increase my home theatre budget. I would like to get peoples take on Paradigm and Axiom. Also If someone could give me an idea of what Im gonna pay for some Paradigm or Paradigm reference speakers... I cant find prices on anything from Paradigm and no one around here carries them.

Thanks.

I don't know where "around here" is but U.S. MSRP prices for Paradigm speakers may be found here. Most Paradigm dealers offer discounts ranging from 10 - 20%.

I've never heard Axiom speakers but I do own Paradigm. From everything I've read about both, including posts from folks who've commented on them after comparing them, Axioms are a little more forward than Paradigms. Both have avid fans so I suspect both are well made, great sounding speakers. Axiom does have an excellent return policy which essentially allows you to audition them in your home. Listen to both and decide.

 

[silversurfer]

I have heard most of the internet direct brands. In the Aperion vs Axiom, I would go with Axiom. Aperion may have nicer cabinets, but I think the sound of the Axioms were better.

If you really want the best sound for your dollar, I would also research Ascend Acoustics.

 

[AngelusNexx]

Jimmit, Thanks for posting that page. The monitor series from Paradigm is in my price range. A full monitor series 5.1 with the Monitor11 comes out to almost the same as the Axiom Epic 80. So Paradigm Monitors are still in the game but just wondering if they would compare to the axioms. On top of trying to decide between axiom and paradigm I get 60% off Polk audio RTi series also but I have almost completely nailed those out because I have heard they dont hold a candle to Paradigm or Axiom. So much to think decide.

This is what I have nailed it down to.

-****************************************
Axiom Epic 80 $3K
VS.
Paradigm Monitor11 with rest of monitor series surround. $3K
VS.
Polk Audio RTi8 Series surround. $1K with discount.
-*****************************************



I heard the Polks are hard to drive so I cant afford a reviever thats gonna push the RTi12 so I would go witht he RTi8.

 

[corysmith01]

Hey Zach. I like the Paradigm Monitor series, having auditioned them. I actually bought and returned a pair of monitor 5's and went back to B&W. However, I was bonkers over the mini monitor...it still baffles me how good that little speaker sounds. Good stuff.

Anyway, in response to your Polk dilemma...I can't speak to their sound, but if you can get a set up for $2000 less, that seems like a not brainer. You have that system set at $1K while both Axiom and Paradigm are at $3K. You mentioned the Polks being hard to drive. I don't know if that's true...they have a 90db sensitivity rating...but even if they did, with $2K dollars left over, I'd say you could afford a pretty serious receiver or pre-amp/amp set up if you wanted to. In fact, you might not even have to spend that much. Myself and many others here have been turned on to the sort of "receiver du jour" right now and that's the Marantz SR8400. With the 8500's coming out, you can get these at an absolute steal...msrp was $1299, and you can pick 'em up for a little over $500:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14981&item=5776897367&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

You can check out the specs here:

http://us.marantz.com/shop/_templates/Proddetail.asp?model=79&cat=15

Just a thought...I don't think that receiver would have any trouble pushing those speakers. But again, that's just one option...with $2K left over, you could probably do better. Don't get me wrong...I'm not trying to talk you out of Paradigm or Axiom...but at a $2000 difference, it's not really apples to apples, in my book. If it were say $100 or $200 difference, I think most would take Axiom or Paradigm over them, but at $2000....that's a tought call. That's a whole lotta dough you'd be saving. Just a thought.

 

[aarond]

The LSi's are hard to drive (4 ohm 88db)
The RTi's should be easy to drive (8 ohm 90db)
Never heard them just going on specs
aaron

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The Denon 3805 is the minimum I would recommend to push a 7.1 RTi system. The RTi10's can handle a 300 watt per channel amp. The RTi's don't start to show their charm until you really get them going with a powerful receiver. I agree with an earlier post - that unless you spend some cash on a true toroidal type transformer 110+ watt receiver, you're not going to be able to compare the Polks to the higher spl speakers. You won't get the sound from them. This is also true of Paradigm. The RTi10's are 66lbs each and rated at 89dB, not 90. The even larger Rti12's are 88lbs and really do need a separate two channel amp unless you are using one of the flagship receivers rated at 170 watts into two channels. SPL is so important when not using outboard amps. I cannot stress this enough.

 

[jimmit]

Zach - As I said before, I've never heard the Axioms but they come highly recommended by many. Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but from my reading, my sense of things is that the Axioms would be more comparable to Paradigm's Studio series; they are supposed to be that good.

That said, if you can get that kind of discount on the Polk RTi's, you'd be foolish not to at least give them a serious listen. That's one helluva discount; the kind that can't be ignored. If, after listening to them, they don't tickle your fancy, I'd make an effort to audition the Axioms (see RJB's post).

Everything's relative but the kind of money you're talking about is a lot of money to most people. Before you spend it, you owe it to yourself to audition all three systems (four if you count Aperion). At least try to audition the main speakers of each system. Then you can make a decision that will result in your being very satisfied with your purchase.

 

[zipper]

I listened to some of the Paradigm line LY & was very impressed by the Studio series, not so much by the Monitor series. There was a distinct difference. I own the Axiom 60's & am satified.

I would rank them as such:
1. Paradigm Studio 60's
2. Axiom 60's
3. Paradigm Monitor 7

But it's tough because I didn't get to hear all on the same setup, only the Paradigms. After hearing the Studio 60's I remember the Monitors sounded boxy. This is JMO...........I settled on the Axiom 60's because they were a $1000 cheaper than the Studio 60's ,but to be honest with you, wasn;t completely happy with them until I added outboard amps to my Yammy. Now I'm very satisfied that I spent $800 wisely.

Haven't heard Aperions......

 

[AngelusNexx]

Wow thank you guys for all of your help.

I located a place around me and I listened to the Paradigm Monitor series. I was not that impressed for the price of them. The signature series was amazing but way out of my price range.

I just need to decide If I want to spend almost 2k more for Axiom over Polk. I have heard the Polk RTi series back when Circuit City carried them but now its impossible for me to locate a pair to test right now.

About the Marantz SR8400 reciever posted. Is this comparable to the HK AVR7300 as far as power goes? I see they are the same power rating but I heard HK rates very conservitivly. Also How is the actual sound quality from this reciever for the people who have had hands on with it?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Wow thank you guys for all of your help.

I located a place around me and I listened to the Paradigm Monitor series. I was not that impressed for the price of them. The signature series was amazing but way out of my price range.

I just need to decide If I want to spend almost 2k more for Axiom over Polk. I have heard the Polk RTi series back when Circuit City carried them but now its impossible for me to locate a pair to test right now.

About the Marantz SR8400 reciever posted. Is this comparable to the HK AVR7300 as far as power goes? I see they are the same power rating but I heard HK rates very conservitivly. Also How is the actual sound quality from this reciever for the people who have had hands on with it?

The AVR7300 and SR8400 are worlds apart. The 7300 is a flagship receiver, and one of the most powerful 7.1 receivers on the market. It puts out amost the same power to two channels as the Denon 5805. Both receivers are very neutral sounding, which is great. Sound and Vision Mag reviewed the 7300 in the Nov '04 issue?? Check out the PDF file for power ratings.

 

[AngelusNexx]

What do you guys think? Is the performance difference between the RTi Polk series and the Axiom Epic 80 that great to spend almost another 2k?

 

[Tex-amp]

Is the HK 7300 a big step above the 7200? The 7200 was generally panned as one of the worst digital receivers out there.

 

[silversurfer]

Is the HK 7300 a big step above the 7200? The 7200 was generally panned as one of the worst digital receivers out there.

The 7200 is not digital.

I think you are thinking about their first 100X digital receiver.

 

[Tex-amp]

Thanks, you're right I'm thinking of the 100X line.