Trade my Polks for Axiom?

[Matt34]

I am sure Axioms are good value. Like bluejeans cables, good for your money. I was just thinking they may be an upgrade to what I have after reading so much on Audioholics. Absolutely not true. While I have not heard them and can not say they are good and bad personally, word of mouth is how internet only companies survive. While some people may be biased to a certain brand, there is a whole lot of cheerleading going on here for Axiom. I was very surprised to read about their build quality issues. I read about noise resonating from the cheap vinyl vaneer cabinets. A three driver speaker should weigh more than that! Period! A man can not lift Polk RTi12's without straining himself.

Well what exactly did you expect if you planned an upgrade when the speakers your upgrading to cost nearly the same?

People that are happy with their speakers are going to recommend them.

Tell me your not basing these "build quality issues" on Jack Hammers lone observation on one used set under suspicious circumstances?

The come with real wood Veneers now. The M80 weighs almost 60lbs, weight isn't everything.

I don't own anything axiom and probably never will. I just don't get your logic of "upgrading" from a set of $1300 speakers to another set of equal value and expect miracles.

 

[PENG]

The come with real wood Veneers now. The M80 weighs almost 60lbs, weight isn't everything.

I don't own anything axiom and probably never will. I just don't get your logic of "upgrading" from a set of $1300 speakers to another set of equal value and expect miracles.

With 6 drivers and a large cabinet I always wonder why the M80 doesn't weigh more than 57 lbs. I agree weight is not always a good indicator of good sound quality, but quite often it is, so it is a fair question to ask. If I were considering Axiom speakers I would definitely phone or email them and ask for an explanation for their relatively light weight. The RTi may list for the same price but their dealers typically give pretty good discount so their actual selling price could be quite a bit lower.

 

[Sheep]

With 6 drivers and a large cabinet I always wonder why the M80 doesn't weigh more than 57 lbs. I agree weight is not always a good indicator of good sound quality, but quite often it is, so it is a fair question to ask. If I were considering Axiom speakers I would definitely phone or email them and ask for an explanation for their relatively light weight. The RTi may list for the same price but their dealers typically give pretty good discounts so their actually selling price could be quite a bit lower.

Becasue the motor structer of a 6.5inch woofer, a 5inch woofer, and a 1 inch tweeter (times 2) won't way THAT much. Also, it's the same size cabinet as most towers, the drivers cover the hole front baffle, not just the top.

SheepStar

 

[Johnny Canuck]

My build quality comments were based on probably over 100 people who have said that on the internet. Not just jack Hammer. And yes, a tower speaker like the M80 should weigh closer to a 100 lbs. I was only asking, and doubting as many have.

Back to my question. Behringer amps seem good bang for the buck. Would the 2500 do me? How does one set that up with a reciever and does it put my rears and centres out of balance with the fronts?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

With 6 drivers and a large cabinet I always wonder why the M80 doesn't weigh more than 57 lbs. I agree weight is not always a good indicator of good sound quality, but quite often it is, so it is a fair question to ask. If I were considering Axiom speakers I would definitely phone or email them and ask for an explanation for their relatively light weight. The RTi may list for the same price but their dealers typically give pretty good discounts so their actually selling price could be quite a bit lower.

If you compare the size and weight to the Polks, you would have to compare the M80 V2 to the RTi8's. Yeah, that's amazing, but check out the specs.

M80 V2:
Dimens. H W D (inches):
39.5" x 9.25" x 17"
Weight (lbs) each
56.8 lbs

RTi8:
41-5/8" H x 7-3/4" W x 15-1/2" D
55.00 lbs.

Weight won't tell you about sq, but it does say a little about build quality. FWIW, 56lbs. is still quite a load. Does anyone know the thickness of the mdf on the Axioms? Is it 1/2" or 3/4"?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

JC, I can't PM you b/c your mailbox is full. Delete everything and free it up.

JC: Have you personally heard the Berringer? Is it quiet? Do i have to change the fan? You said I would only use it once in awhile. Won't it be used all the time? Or just when I select "stereo". You never said if I would notice much of a diff from my NAD. The NAD at full range was way too bright. Will the Berringer be bright? Thanks again and sorry for all the questions!

I've heard Behringers, and they are powerful. Pretty neutral to be honest. The EP2500 has a fan similar to a computer fan. There's lots of sites that show how to swap out the fan. It's pretty simple - 4 small screws.

I meant your surrounds will only be used once in awhile, unless you are listening to 7 channel music. Sorry for the confusion. The amp will be on all the time. So your NAD powering the towers was bright? That's telling me it might not be powerful enough, or that your room is simply too "hard." Is that a class a/b amp? What's it weigh? You know you could go to a local pro sound store and get the EP2500 amp and return it if you dont like it. Buying it locally does have its advantages. Do you have a Sam Ash store?

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks Buck..we have a few stores in town that carry it. I am concerned about the noise. Are you saying to take the fan right out?

So when one adds an amp of this power, and you are watching a movie or TV, do you have to crank up the surrounds to match the fronts? Does one really only notice a difference when listening to two channel sources? How about SACD? You said I will notice a difference at low volumes. I can't turn it up loud in my apartment so how will this benefit me? can you explain? Will the Berringer sound better than my Denon 3805? Are the Polk RTI 12s really 4ohms, or only when biamped like I do now? Will biamping the Berringer be of any benefit? Sorry dude..lots of questions!!

I will also use the Berringer when I DJ dances.

 

[Sheep]

Thanks Buck..we have a few stores in town that carry it. I am concerned about the noise. Are you saying to take the fan right out?

So when one adds an amp of this power, and you are watching a movie or TV, do you have to crank up the surrounds to match the fronts? Does one really only notice a difference when listening to two channel sources? How about SACD? You said I will notice a difference at low volumes. I can't turn it up loud in my apartment so how will this benefit me? can you explain? Will the Berringer sound better than my Denon 3805? Are the Polk RTI 12s really 4ohms, or only when biamped like I do now? Will biamping the Berringer be of any benefit? Sorry dude..lots of questions!!

I will also use the Berringer when I DJ dances.

You can replace the fan with a silent fan from a computer shop.

If you level match your system it won't matter. The surrounds and fronts will be the same volume.

SheepStar

 

[Haoleb]

If you compare the size and weight to the Polks, you would have to compare the M80 V2 to the RTi8's. Yeah, that's amazing, but check out the specs.

M80 V2:
Dimens. H W D (inches):
39.5" x 9.25" x 17"
Weight (lbs) each
56.8 lbs

RTi8:
41-5/8" H x 7-3/4" W x 15-1/2" D
55.00 lbs.

Weight won't tell you about sq, but it does say a little about build quality. FWIW, 56lbs. is still quite a load. Does anyone know the thickness of the mdf on the Axioms? Is it 1/2" or 3/4"?

I believe its 5/8", There are two internal cross braces, I believe one between the woofers and one between the upper mid and lower tweeter. The midrange drivers are also in their own sealed compartments.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks Sheep..

so I was over on AVS forums. Good words on Crown and QSC. The K2 series. They seem a little better than Berringer but at how much more? I may look for a used one of these. I willl enquire about the Berringer tomorrow as well. $500 Canadian is my budget.

I still am a little confused about how to connect the amp to the recieiver. What is a "cleanbox" and is it necessary with the Denon 3805? There are no RCA to RCA's or coaxial like a regular receiver/home amp.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Would there be any benefit to using my current NAD 2200 as a centre channel aamp? Is that possible with my receiver?

 

[Sheep]

I've heard the CSI5 is also another hefty load. Using it to power it would be a good idea. Keep the receiver for the surrounds, the mains need amps.

SheepStar

 

[PENG]

I still am a little confused about how to connect the amp to the recieiver. What is a "cleanbox" and is it necessary with the Denon 3805? There are no RCA to RCA's or coaxial like a regular receiver/home amp.

The 3805 has RCA pre-outs, one for each channel. To add a 2 channel amplifier you simply connect the L/R channels of the amplifier's inputs to the corresponding L/R pre-outs at the back of the 3805. After that, you need to level match the amp's L/R channels to the center and surround channels of the 3805 that you will still be using. That's about it, unless that's not what you were asking.

By the way, bi-amping your RTi12 does not necessarily make it a 4 ohm speaker. To be sure, you should ask (email) Polkaudio, but I doubt it will be much different with or without the strap. The RTi12 are specified as 8 ohms nominal regardless. It is quite possible that an 8 ohm nominal speaker's impedance can dip down to 4 ohms or lower at certain frequencies but that applies to many other speakers not just the RTi12.