OK, I need the final word!  Please!

[drnomad]

<font color='#000000'>I am going in circles here. &nbsp;I am about to order some Axiom speakers, either the M80s or M60s. &nbsp;My receiver is a Pioneer Elite 53TX that is currently driving 4 Ohm speakers. &nbsp;It seems that for every person who says the M80 is the best of Axiom's offerings, there is another one who says it's the M60. &nbsp;Is there a difference - I mean even a small difference - that would make one speaker a better choice? &nbsp;I do have a tendency to think &quot;what if&quot; when I buy audio gear, so I'm wondering if I will think that if I go with the M60s. &nbsp;Please! &nbsp;Someone give me some advice here! &nbsp;My home theater is in a large room, so placement should not be an issue either.</font>

 

[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>Not familiar with the Axiom but they do get good reviews. Just looking at them, I would think the M80 will give you more low end. &nbsp; Are you going to use a sub? &nbsp;If so, the M60 should be fine. &nbsp;If no sub, then you may want to go M80. &nbsp;One thing, more drivers are harder to drive and the M80 is a 4-ohm speaker. &nbsp;The M60 is a 8-ohm speaker thus easier the drive. &nbsp;

Personally, if you are going to use a sub, I would go with the M60. &nbsp;Easier to drive and might just sound better due to this fact. &nbsp; Your receiver will probably run cooler as well. &nbsp;

A friend of mine has always said that most low to mid level A/V receivers are not really equipped to drive 4-ohm speakers. &nbsp;You really need good quality seperates. &nbsp; I'm not sure that is right 100% of the time but he has a point.

Shinerman</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000080'>The M80s play louder... you can't go wrong with either choice for the budget.</font>

 

[hopjohn]

<font color='#000000'>Often times the smaller models from the same manufacturer will actually sound better than the larger models in the same line because you're asking less of the speaker design. Speakers with a larger number of drivers are more difficult to get to sound accurately, so you will actually get more bang for you buck with less complex designs. I would get the M60's and use the money saved to buy one or better yet two subwoofers. As Shinerman pointed out your system would run more efficiently with only the 8 ohm load with the M60's if power is a concern. The M60's will also work with a larger choice of surround receivers, since less expensive models do not handle 4 ohm loads that well if at all.

Good luck on your purchase.  

</font>

 

[stiletto pat]

<font color='#000000'>About 2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to listen the Axiom M60s, combined with a CC150 Center Channel and QS8 surrounds, using a SVS Subwoofer. &nbsp;I thought that the 60s were extremely clean, but lacking on midbass, especially if the sub wasn't engaged. &nbsp;I spoke to an Axiom service advisor, and he suggested that the M80s would have better bass, due to different crossover frequencies and the larger cabinet, which he felt would offer improved mid-bass reproduction.

I posted my thoughts on the Axiom website, extolling the virtues of the mid and high end on the Axioms, and was quickly rebuked for uttering that the 60s were weak on mid-bass. &nbsp;Most all of the Axiom owners feel the mid-bass is tight and accurate. &nbsp;Oh well, to each their own.

BTW, I just ordered the speakers I thought sounded best, the Paradigms Studio Reference Series 100 version 3. &nbsp;You might want to give them a try. &nbsp;Twice the cost of the M80s, but as I said, to my ear, far more accurate.

Good luck,

Pat</font>