paradigm millenium 200, monitor 7's, or def tech mythos five

[reapinwombat]

Any thoughts onthese speakers?

Paradigm millesnium 200's -$800 for the pair
Paradigm monitors 7's -$720 for a pair
Def Tech Mythos Five -$820 for a pair
Axiom W3's -$500 for a pair
RBH W30 -$220 for a pair

I am trying the RBH's now and they are very clear and forward sounding, but the sound seems too bright and unnatural in some cases.

Any other sets I shoudl look at in a SLIM floorstanding or on-wall speaker under $800?
I will listen to an even split of music and HT. Music is mostly pop, rock, music theater.

Thanks!

 

[fredk]

Thats an odd list you have there. The Monitor 7 is a floor stander and the W3 is an in-wall bookshelf. Not exactly comparable.

I have heard the Monitor 7s and am not that impressed by them. They lack detail and the mids and lows are quite muddy.

The Axiom W3 is a moderately detailed speaker, but not forward at all. As a bookshelf it does not reach that low and should be paired with a sub.

From Axiom, I would stretch the budget a little and look at the M60. It is a very detailed speaker with good bass, but not forward. You could save a little by going for B stock from the outlet store.

I have not heard the Milenium or RBH speakers.

 

[mudrummer99]

As far as "lifestyle speakers", which it seems your list mostly consists of, the Mythos series is my personal favorite. I like the sound a lot and asthetics are second to none.

Mike

 

[reapinwombat]

Axiom M22's

So I am adding the M22's to my list. Yea. I am looking for speakers that dont dominate my living room. I was intruiged by the Axiom W22's which are the on/in wall hybids.

I REALLY want something I can wall mount, but lacking that a sleek pair of floor standing or bookshelf speakers that are big boxes is a possibility.

What I think I need to do is build by system piece at a time for budget's sake. I am hoping to pick up the mains, a center, and a holdover sub for around $1000.

Then I'll get rears and an upgraded sub later. I have to 2 NHT's Super Zeros I can use as rears for now.

The Paradigm Millenia 20's LCR with a trio Center runs $1182 which is a little over my budget. I also am not sure how much better it will sound verus teh RBH's I have now which are very similar in form factor and specs.

 

[fredk]

The M22 will certainly give you clean detailed sound and is also somewhat forward. Some people also consider them to be bright, but I do not find this to be the case. That is why I suggested the M60.

 

[GlocksRock]

I really like what I have heard and seen from the Mythos line, so those get my vote.

 

[reapinwombat]

Swans D10HT???

A local retailer has the Swans D10HT for $1099. Thats a 5-speaker setup that I'll need to grab a sub for later.

Anyone have experience with this set?

Thanks!

 

[reapinwombat]

Ascend CBM-170 based system?

too...many...options....
For $888 I can get a 5 speaker ascend system with a CMT-340 center, CBM -170 mains, and 2 HTM 200 surrounds.

Thoughts?

 

[kozkip]

Axiom is the way to go!

Just before Thanksgiving last year, I installed a pair of Axiom W3's in my great room as my main stereo speakers. These were upgrade replacements to a pair of Mirage FS V2's. Yes, $500 speakers are an upgrade replacement to $1,000 speakers!

I was a little worried whether or not they would be enough, as the room is pretty big, but there turned out to be no issue at all! These are some of the most dynamic speakers I have ever heard. I have them installed on/in the wall on either side of my fireplace and paired with the Super Eight sub from Orb Audio, which is hidden behind a chair. The whole rig is driven from the tiny 15W Trends Audio TA-10.1 with incredible results!!!!

These speakers sound better than the Mirage's ever hoped to and look great while doing it. Nobody is ever going to accidentally knock into these speakers and they do not cost me any space in my room. People are literally floored when I demo the Axiom W3's for them. They simply cannot believe sound so incredible is coming from the two smallish boxes that barely protrude from my wall! They look great and sound even better. I bought them without ever hearing an Axiom speaker and now I am a big believer!

Get the Axiom's, you WILL NOT be disappointed, trust me!!

Steve

 

[strube]

I would get the Millenia over the Monitor series for Paradigm - Millenia have reference series drivers, which are far superior for the money. I myself have always had (and liked) Paradigm, with the exception of their subwoofers (which I haven't really liked), but I am going to try Axiom M80's for my not-so-distant-future system, with either DIY or SVS subwoofers...