RBH MC Series Vs. Axiom

[B5I8]

I'm looking at getting a pair of either the RBH MC-6CT MKII or the Axiom M80 v2's for my fronts. I'm also looking at either the RBH MC-616C MKII or Axiom VP-150 v2 for my center channel. They will be running off a Denon AVR-3806. I also have a SVS PC-Ultra to cover the low end. Mainly they'll be used for watching movies but they will also play a fair share of music as well. The goal is to keep it under $2000 for a pair of fronts and a center channel. I am open to other suggestions but they must be available in Hawaii.

Which would you choose and why?

 

[Rik]

M80's are over kill unless you have a real big listening room or you are in a rush to go deaf. The word from people who have done side by side comparisons of the M80's and M60's is that they sound alike the M80's just play louder cleanly. I really like my M60's and they play plenty loud in my 3300 c.f. area. As a matter of fact my 3805 gives up before they do.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I would say either of those towers may be a little much for your Denon 3806. Realize those are 4 and 6 ohm speakers. They'd definitely benefit from an outboard amp - especially the Axioms.

Something like this may serve you better:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=79.1

http://www.aperionaudio.com/products/product-detail.aspx?id=153&catId=5&catName=Aperion+Speakers

 

[B5I8]

Eventually I'll get the Emotiva MPS-1 200Wx7 amplifier. As for the M80's being overkill, my listening room is on the larger side. I don't have the exact measurements but it's not small by any means. As for the Aperion's, I've looked at them but I have no clue how they sound. The Axiom's have great reviews which is why I wouldn't mind them but I have no info on the Aperions. Have you personally auditioned them? How do they sound? If I were to go with the Aperion's, I'd either get the Intimus 533-PT (powered tower) or the Intimus 633-T. I'm looking for BIG sound. I want them loud but clear. Like I said, I'm open to other suggestions but please tell me why. Do they sound better and go just as loud? Thanks for your help.

 

[Rik]

As for the M80's being overkill, my listening room is on the larger side.

The M80's should be good then. If you do choose the M80's that will be the easy decision, wait until you try to pick what finish you want on them.

 

[B5I8]

The M80's should be good then. If you do choose the M80's that will be the easy decision, wait until you try to pick what finish you want on them.

LOL. Actually the finish is the easiest decision. I'm a very simple guy so I'll take any speaker in black. I'm really not into wood veneers which is probably why my house is made of concrete and brick. At least I'm safe from hurricanes.

 

[billnchristy]

Any reason why youre not looking at Rockets since youre already considering the Emotiva amp?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Eventually I'll get the Emotiva MPS-1 200Wx7 amplifier. As for the M80's being overkill, my listening room is on the larger side. I don't have the exact measurements but it's not small by any means. As for the Aperion's, I've looked at them but I have no clue how they sound. The Axiom's have great reviews which is why I wouldn't mind them but I have no info on the Aperions. Have you personally auditioned them? How do they sound? If I were to go with the Aperion's, I'd either get the Intimus 533-PT (powered tower) or the Intimus 633-T. I'm looking for BIG sound. I want them loud but clear. Like I said, I'm open to other suggestions but please tell me why. Do they sound better and go just as loud? Thanks for your help.

Well, that amp changes everything. If you're going to have the power, then by all means go with Swan 5.1 or 6.1 towers. Go with the previous gen speakers, and not their latest. They're probably the best bang for the buck towers made. HIVI Research makes some of the best drivers on the market, and some of the best looking towers to boot. Sorry if I'm making your decision harder, but if you have the room size and power, check out the Swan line. They are hard to find, but worth the search.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1114797340&read&3&4&

 

[B5I8]

Any reason why youre not looking at Rockets since youre already considering the Emotiva amp?

The #1 reason is that they don't come in black. Second the driver configuration is almost the same as the Axiom M80's with the latter having an extra tweeter but also costing less. Also, Axiom covers all shipping costs even to Hawaii which let me tell you gets pretty expensive seeing as how we must fly most things in. If I were to get the RS760's and the RSC200, I'd end up paying about $600-$800 more than the Axioms when you add in the shipping costs.

 

[B5I8]

Well, that amp changes everything. If you're going to have the power, then by all means go with Swan 5.1 or 6.1 towers. Go with the previous gen speakers, and not their latest. They're probably the best bang for the buck towers made. HIVI Research makes some of the best drivers on the market, and some of the best looking towers to boot. Sorry if I'm making your decision harder, but if you have the room size and power, check out the Swan line. They are hard to find, but worth the search.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1114797340&read&3&4&

Are these the Swan's you're referring to?

 

[billnchristy]

Well that is good reasoning.

I haven't heard any of Axioms offerings, but from what I have read they shouldn't disappoint.

It must be hard finding good stuff at good prices over there!

 

[Ax-man]

B5I8 ... Axiom has a list of folks who will audition their Axiom speakers and there is a fellow in Hawaii with a pair of 80s if you are interested in taking a listen prior to buying. Although some of the listed folks haven't posted in quite some time the person in Hawaii is an active member of the Axiom board...Axiom audition list

 

[billy p]

The #1 reason is that they don't come in black. Second the driver configuration is almost the same as the Axiom M80's with the latter having an extra tweeter but also costing less. Also, Axiom covers all shipping costs even to Hawaii which let me tell you gets pretty expensive seeing as how we must fly most things in. If I were to get the RS760's and the RSC200, I'd end up paying about $600-$800 more than the Axioms when you add in the shipping costs.

Damn it sucks for you as well. I'm looking for new floors and a center channel from axiom as well and the reason is simple the no charge delivery.
Living in Canada the mark up is nuts, here's an example av123xls sell for about $200 nearing $400 here. So I must go with the best deal and axiom is close to my backyard 3hrs away and I can pick them up as well and save further. Others speakers I'm looking at are energy,psb as well as paradigm, mainly I don't want the added cost of duty and other crap which drive the price up.

AND IF THESE OTHER SPEAKER MFG'S READ THIS AND STAND BY THEIR SPEAKERS THEY SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT ONE PRICE TO YOUR DOOR.

 

[B5I8]

B5I8 ... Axiom has a list of folks who will audition their Axiom speakers and there is a fellow in Hawaii with a pair of 80s if you are interested in taking a listen prior to buying. Although some of the listed folks haven't posted in quite some time the person in Hawaii is an active member of the Axiom board...Axiom audition list

That person listed is on another island. While airfare is cheap interisland, I really don't feel like jumping on a plane (especially with the heightened security) just to audition the Axioms. They do have a 30 day money back guarantee which sounds good to me. In fact, I think I'll be ordering the M80's and the VP150 very soon. It'll sure be a major step up from the MTX Monitor 10's I have right now which are total cr*p. And the Polk center channel is completely mismatched to the MTX's which make it sound even worse. I just installed a 5.1 set of the SVS SBS-01 and SCS-01 in my parents room which sounds fantastic for the price. They sound better than the MTX's as well so I know these Axioms will be jaw dropping for me .

Damn it sucks for you as well. I'm looking for new floors and a center channel from axiom as well and the reason is simple the no charge delivery.
Living in Canada the mark up is nuts, here's an example av123xls sell for about $200 nearing $400 here. So I must go with the best deal and axiom is close to my backyard 3hrs away and I can pick them up as well and save further. Others speakers I'm looking at are energy,psb as well as paradigm, mainly I don't want the added cost of duty and other crap which drive the price up.

AND IF THESE OTHER SPEAKER MFG'S READ THIS AND STAND BY THEIR SPEAKERS THEY SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT ONE PRICE TO YOUR DOOR.

I've been looking at the many popular brands discussed here on the boards as well and can never seem to find a dealer here in Hawaii. It just makes me want to move or startup my own store. I feel your pain .

 

[corey]

What Island are you on? If you're on Oahu, Pure Digital on Dillingham & Elite Electronics on Keeaumoku are worthwhile stops. There's also a B&W dealer in Ward Center. Audiolab on Ala Moana too.

 

[B5I8]

What Island are you on? If you're on Oahu, Pure Digital on Dillingham & Elite Electronics on Keeaumoku are worthwhile stops. There's also a B&W dealer in Ward Center. Audiolab on Ala Moana too.

As a matter of fact I am on Oahu. I'll be sure to check out those shops. Where exactly is this B&W dealer? Ward Center as in Ryan's Bar & Grill right?

 

[Tex-amp]

I am open to other suggestions but they must be available in Hawaii.

You already have a sub and want black speakers, I'd add Ascend Acoustics 340SEs to your list. There are some Ascend owners out there. I don't know which islands they are on. Or if the have the Ascend SE version which to my ears is a very nice improvement over the classic version.

 

[B5I8]

You already have a sub and want black speakers, I'd add Ascend Acoustics 340SEs to your list. There are some Ascend owners out there. I don't know which islands they are on. Or if the have the Ascend SE version which to my ears is a very nice improvement over the classic version.

I could actually get 7 of those 340SE's and still be within budget. Have you personally heard them or own them? Do they go loud and stay clear?

 

[Nick250]

Buy all accounts they do. I have been thinking about getting the Ascends myself. Do a title only search on Acends if you want to know more. Just about all posts are positive.

Nick

 

[billy p]

Where is the rbh input . Very nice but out of my range!!