Can anyone give me an honest opinion on Axiom Loudspeakers?

[Arcane19]

Hey I am relatively new to buying an audio system. But I was planning on buying a pair of Axiom's floorstanding speakers probably the M80s.

Does anyone own a pair or has listened to them or a similar model? If so, did they give good quality sound?
Also, what Receiver or other components did you use or would recommend?

Lastly, does anyone know if a popular, national speaker store exists that I can go to, so I can sample out speakers for myself.

Thanks.

 

[browninggold]

What is the size of your listening room? Are you interested in Blu-Ray, or just regular DVD? Listening habits, movie%, music%. Usually are B & M stores where you can audition speakers. Also a lot of ID companies that usually let you listen in your own home. There are a lot of receiver possibilities also. Advanced codecs True HD etc...Dynamic EQ, Volume. Let us know what you are interested in. We will be more than happy to recommend something for you. But as far as speakers that is pretty subjective.Everyone "hears" things diffrently + diffrent room setups etc...

 

[fredk]

If so, did they give good quality sound?

Yes, but then I would not have bought them if i didn't think so.

Lastly, does anyone know if a popular, national speaker store exists that I can go to, so I can sample out speakers for myself.

Not really. Usually the better quality speakers are found in 'high end' stores.

Some brands to look at are PSB, B&W, Paradigm, ... Phone around and see if someone locally carries multiple brands to make it easier to compare.

The nice thing about ID brands like Axiom is that you are able to listen to them in your home (the room has a big effect on sound). Your local dealer may or may not let you do that with the brands he carries.

 

[Arcane19]

What is the size of your listening room? Are you interested in Blu-Ray, or just regular DVD? Listening habits, movie%, music%. Usually are B & M stores where you can audition speakers. Also a lot of ID companies that usually let you listen in your own home. There are a lot of receiver possibilities also. Advanced codecs True HD etc...Dynamic EQ, Volume. Let us know what you are interested in. We will be more than happy to recommend something for you. But as far as speakers that is pretty subjective.Everyone "hears" things diffrently + diffrent room setups etc...

Well right now I am in college, I have a xbox 360 and a 24" Samsung. Basically, I do not have enough room for a 5.1 or 7.1 system. But the system will be used mainly for both movies and gaming, at the same time I am going to be listening to music through the speakers from my laptop.

I guess it's a 50/50 movies (and games) and music.

Also, if I do go with B&W speakers like the other guy mentioned, am I paying more for the name or the quality?

If it makes it easier this is the list I am considering other than the Axiom speakers.
I'm not gonna lie, the list is basically based on audio awards and reviews. I am fairly new to speakers so it was really the only thing I could go by.

VMPS 626Jr Loudspeaker
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 Reference Monitor
Salk Signature Sound SongTower QWT Loudspeakers
Reference 3A Grand Veena Loudspeakers
Reference 3A Veena Loudspeaker
Totem Acoustic Forest floorstanding speakers
AV123 ELT 525M bookshelf speakers
Acculine A3 floorstanding speakers
Sonist Concerto 3

 

[lsiberian]

Well right now I am in college, I have a xbox 360 and a 24" Samsung. Basically, I do not have enough room for a 5.1 or 7.1 system. But the system will be used mainly for both movies and gaming, at the same time I am going to be listening to music through the speakers from my laptop.

I guess it's a 50/50 movies (and games) and music.

Also, if I do go with B&W speakers like the other guy mentioned, am I paying more for the name or the quality?

If it makes it easier this is the list I am considering other than the Axiom speakers.
I'm not gonna lie, the list is basically based on audio awards and reviews. I am fairly new to speakers so it was really the only thing I could go by.

VMPS 626Jr Loudspeaker
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 Reference Monitor
Salk Signature Sound SongTower QWT Loudspeakers
Reference 3A Grand Veena Loudspeakers
Reference 3A Veena Loudspeaker
Totem Acoustic Forest floorstanding speakers
AV123 ELT 525M bookshelf speakers
Acculine A3 floorstanding speakers
Sonist Concerto 3

If you are in college I don't know if its wise to go spend the money on B&Ws (though they may be cheap online somewhere.)

But Axioms are a high quality Audiophile grade speaker company. So Yes they make good speakers. Many forum member enjoy them. Auditioning is good, but many auditioning places don't have the deals of ID(which makes it hard). But most Internet Direct(ID) people give in home auditions.

If you live in a dorm I suggest bookshelves not towers. Because I don't want you to overpower a room. this can make things sound very bad in a dorm type room. What's your budget? (for real and be conservative)

 

[fredk]

Personally I would agree, at the bottom end of the B&W line you are paying a premium for the name. I offered them as a possibility not knowing your budget and based on your request for a store.

Thats a good list you have started. Listen to a bunch of speakers and see what you like.

I also agree that you could get more bang for the buck on a student budget if you go for bookshelves. You can always add a sub for more bottom end if you find extra money.

 

[the grunt]

I live in an apartment and agree with Isiberian and Fred that you should consider bookshelf rather than tower speakers. If you go with Axiom the M22 is a fantastic sounding speaker that would work very well unless you like lots of deep bass which might not be viable in a dorm room anyway.

Have you considered getting some good headphones? Good headphones will likely sound better in a small room than any speakers you can buy. They will be full range and not suffer from any room related acoustical problems and no one will be banging on your wall telling you turn them down. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Dean

 

[Arcane19]

I already have top of the line Headphones. AKG 601's. I prolly could go for a better amp. Right now they're running off Headroom's cheap mobile amp.

lsiberian, the last time I posted I was on a budget, but my dad is getting me speakers as a birthday, so it is a loose budget now. At the same time, I am not trying to empty out his wallet. I'll look into bookshelf speakers, as that would seem to be the more practical option, as I did not realize how big and heavy floostanding speakers are.

I'd like to have a decent bass, but I am not shooting for ridiculous bass you usually hear out of "pimped" out escalades.

I guess I just have to keep doing research.

Also, just out of reference FredK, I see in your signature you own M80s, what receiver do you use?

 

[fredk]

I am using a mid-line Sherwood RD 6500 receiver. Denon and Maranz also work well with the M80 as they can handle the 4Ohm load.

 

[scott911]

I also have a Sherwood amp running Axiom W22 (the on-wall version of the M22 bookselves just mentioned). I think most of these speakers are very efficient - a new amplifier might not be needed right away...

But I too would LOVE to get my hands on the M80's! (I have a wife, so that wasn't an option). Axiom has honest support - give them the room dimentions, etc. and if the M80's were a bad fot for your room, I wouldn't be surprised if they told you to save your money.

Note that have a "seconds" shop where you can get money off - from what I've heard, the seconds are nearly indestinguisable from the firsts...

 

[fredk]

from what I've heard, the seconds are nearly indestinguisable from the firsts...

Yep. My entire system is factory seconds. I found a blemish on one speaker. If I look really hard, I can probably find it again. Thats it.

 

[Arcane19]

I'll look into that.

 

[griffinconst]

I have a buddy that has 60's and they sound very good. Not quite as big as the 80's but still decent bass.

 

[Bugbitten]

M80s in the classifieds

 

[scott911]

axiom -

I thought this was funny or cool...

I just joined facebook, and as a result, am getting touch with old college pals - about 20 some years back now. Last night at about 11 pm, I put a status up saying of, "contemplating re-ripping all 40 days worth of CD music to Lossless."

We go back and forth describing our systems. I didn't mention the brand name because I doubted that would have heard of Axiom - ironically, he most definatelty did - because he also choose Axiom. Has a 2.1 with m60's and an EP500, and another 5.1 system of axiom stuff in a projection room.

Just kind of funny - like running into an old friend and finding that you both drive 1970 Green AMXs..

I wonder if we used to hang out at someone's pad which had equipment sonically similiar to Axiom's stuff and in those formative years developed the same "ear."

 

[BoB/335]

Hey Arcane,

My recommendation would be to go and listen to speakers before you buy if at all possible. The Axiom Forum has a section to find people in your area to audition speakers. I had an offer to audition but that person didn't get back to finalize the arrangements. I bought Axioms without hearing them first as a result of all the great help I got at the Axiom forum.
I am 2 weeks into my 30 day trial. First impressions were that I thought they were very bright and was bothering a sensitive right ear. I didn't have this problem with a pair of Polk bokshelves I was using. They seem to have calmed down just a bit (unless I am getting used to them a little) but the Axiom gurus say that they do not require any break-in.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to bring my M80's to an audition to hear Song Towers (dome tweeter version) and I must say that the Song Towers were much more detailed and airy sounding and easy on my ears. There were other people there that agreed and then some.

The ST's are more money. The M80's through the factory Outlet are very reasonably priced and seem to be a good value. Both of these towers can get pretty close to a wall and get good bass without a sub. Bookshelves will most likely need a sub so although you save some roon with the bookshelves you will need to find a place for a sub.

Go out and LISTEN!

btw there are a GREAT group of guys at the Axiom forum that are very willing to answer all of your questions. Just beware because they like to spend your money too.

 

[fredk]

Hi Bob. Your comments on the Songtowers are interesting. I would love to give them a listen some time.

 

[Shock]

They're Canadian.....what more can I say?

 

[Arcane19]

Thanks Bob. Right now I'm looking at a lot of speakers in the same price range.
I just found 2 speaker stores near my hometown, so when I go home for Spring Break I'll be sure to hit up the two stores up.

 

[BoB/335]

Thanks Bob. Right now I'm looking at a lot of speakers in the same price range.
I just found 2 speaker stores near my hometown, so when I go home for Spring Break I'll be sure to hit up the two stores up.

Keep me posted. I'm still up in the air myself. What speakers are on your list for these two stores?