Complete Axiom Audio speaker review
Short review:
I still don’t have a sub (monetary constraints), so I was able to honestly judge the speakers and based on my last movie watching experience (Flight of the Phoenix), I don’t think I need one... unless I want one to shake the building to its very foundation. These speakers rock and are more than worth the price. Axiom Audio has earned my complete respect with this set of speaker and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to put together a kickasss setup. Cheers.
Long review:
I am not a stuck up video/ audiophile scoffing at any equipment that costs less than equivalent of a decent used car. Go to this website,
www.hometheaterhifi.com you will see what I mean. My goal is to have a system that meets all my music, movie and gaming needs, and makes me feel good about the selection every time I use it. So here is the low-down on the Axiom Audio speakers, M60ti Mains (biamped), VP150 Center, QS8 Surrounds, mated to a Yamaha HTR-5890 receiver. I am currently using a Samsung HD-841 through DVI for video (upscaled to 1080i), optic cables for audio signal transfer. Axiom Audio bulk speaker cable and GLS Audio locking banana plugs are used to hook-up the speakers. The only Monster cable in the whole setup is the one connecting the Xbox to the receiver and I got it when I didn’t know better. Digital Video Essentials was used to calibrate a Hitachi 51F510 RPTV and Yamaha's inbuilt YPAO system was used to calibrate the speaker arrangement.
Stereo music test material: Tool, Incubus, Metallica, Eric Clapton Unplugged, Nirvana Unplugged in NY, Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in E, Op. 8 No. 1, R.269 "LaPrimavera”, Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria in D, R.589, Ludwig van Beethoven: 'Fur Elise' Bagatelle in A, Wo0 59.
DVD-A/v test material: Joe Satriani Live in San Fransisco, Blue Man Group: The Complex (DTS), Eagles: Hell Freezes Over, Animusic.
Movies: U-571, Saving Private Rayn, 5th Element, Snatch, Star Wars, Flight of the Phoenix.
Games: Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Burnout 3: Takedown, Project Gotham Racing 2.
M60ti:
For stereo music listening the M60ti does an exceptionally good job. The sound is true, open, warm and deep when required. In sections that require high frequency reproduction the tweeter does a great job of making you believe that the instruments are actually there. The cymbals and crashes on drums display no sibilance. Infact if played loud enough you can almost believe that the cymbal was struck just behind the speaker. Axiom has done a good job of matching the midrange speakers to the tweeter and the woofers. Vocals sound warm and true, and you don’t feel like there is a lag in the crossover between the midrange and woofers. The woofers go deep. Very deep for their size. Bass sounds great with some unbelievable extension on the M60ti's. All in all the M60ti is an excellent musical speaker. It truly shines at moderate to high SPL listening. To get a feel for these babies throw in your favorite CD and crank it up. You cannot go wrong with these.
The speakers’ ability to play so well also shines through in movie watching. During the depth charge scene in U-571 my walls were shaking, I was grinning from ear to ear and my girlfriend was freaking out about the neighbors thinking it was an earthquake (I live in an apartment with paper thin walls). Flight of the Phoenix has some good wall shaking audio too, which made a sad remake watch-able.
Playing Xbox is never going to be the same. I cannot believe how much fun it is to play games on a surround sound setup. Truly engrossing.
The finish on the speakers is awesome. Edges are seamless and lines are crisp. The speakers are heavy. Once you set them on spikes they grab on hungrily and won’t budge. I learnt that the hard way when I tried to reposition them after a couple of days. All in all, the speakers are great for music and movies alike. Some say they are better for music than home theater, but I don’t understand their reasoning. Speakers are speakers; if they are good for music they will be good for movies too. May not be the case in the reverse direction, but that is a whole other thread. I only wish I had the money to get a separate amp able to drive 4 ohm speakers so that I could have gotten the M80ti's instead. If the M60ti is anything to go by, M80ti's are probably the cure to everyone’s speaker upgrade-itis.
VP150, QS8:
These speakers I am reviewing together for all multi-channel audio. I believe that is the only way to judge them. I have these optimally placed in the room, the VP150 on top of the TV and the surrounds somewhere between 90° and 110° to the sweet spot. [EDIT]I will be attaching some pictures [end-EDIT]. Once the speakers were place and calibrated, the fun began. I don’t think I will ever go to a movie theater again.
Both the VP150 and QS8 integrate with the M60ti’s seamlessly. In sections with deep bass coming through all channels, I don’t feel like the center and surrounds are not able to cope up. The VP150 does an exceptional job as the center speaker. Vocals seamlessly blend from mains to center and back to mains. At no point is there a drop in audio quality or the vocals jumping effect seen in mismatched speakers.
The QS8’s are heavy. Their diminutive size belies their capabilities. Axiom Audio has really pushed the envelope with these speakers, they are perfect. I cannot stop appreciating their role in completing the multi-channel audio experience. DVD-A material makes these shine to their full potential. Like in the Hell Freezes Over DVD and Blue Man Group – The Complex DVD. For movie watching they create atmosphere and give directionality equally well as per the requirement.
Overall:
I would rate these speaker as the best bang for the buck in their price range. I highly recommend that anyone looking at purchasing speaker give Axiom Audio an audition at the very least. While many people will be quick to find fault with them I am absolutely satisfied. You might have a $5000.00/pair speaker and think Axiom Audio is trash, then go to
www.hometheaterhifi.com and stop bugging the people here.
Final call:
That’s it folks, I have been as honest as I can. When I read through the review I find that I am gushing with positive superlatives and believe me they are all there because that is truly the way I feel. Last but not the least I want to thank everyone on the Audioholics forums that have helped me put together this kickasss setup. Anyone wanting a demo is the Seattle area is more than welcome. The beer is cold and pizza is in the oven.
Cheers.
