Which pair is the best? Which brand Klipsch/Polk/Infinity? Bookshelf of Standing ?

[MDS]

Axiom is not a 'no name'; they have a wide following and actually have been in business for 25 years or more.

I can't tell you how they sound but lots of people seem to think they are very good. Check out the review by Tom Andry on this site.

 

[zumbo]

From the ZUMBO dictionary:

Review: Advertisement.

 

[mike c]

Hmm, US$250 for a US made bookshelf speaker pair famous brand name Polk Audio is very appealing to me. But on the other hand, I just researched through the internet and I bump into this Canadian home made product and it's shaking my confidence buyng from the US. :http://www.axiomaudio.com/customreviewsbookshelves.html#m22
For the same price as RTi6, this bookshelf Axiom M22 got many positive reviews, it might make my HT more decent ? Can anyone convince me over this "no name" Axiom ( it is not as commercial as Polk, and may be because I never got a chance to test it) thank you for any of your inputs.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/customreviewsbookshelves.html#m22

there's an axiom member map available (pointing out on the map, who owns what axiom speaker) for people that are willing to have strangers demo their speakers ... check out the map, and look for somebody close to you, you can go visit.

From the ZUMBO dictionary:

Review: Advertisement.

what he said. You need to hear the speakers yourself ... reviews have nothing to do with your ears, at most, they can help with objective tests and assessing the build quality of the parts.

I used to buy stuff based on "user" reviews, believe me, it's BS.

 

[rnatalli]

Like MDS said, Axiom aren't no-name speakers. In fact, they're one of the best speakers around IMO. I heard some Axiom bookshelf speakers recently and I would describe them as neutral to bright and very accurate. I felt they were a bit too bright and that the vocals were a tad reserved when compared to my Mordaunts, but those are my preferences. They're definitely brighter than Polks, but no where near as bright as Klipsch. Of course, these are my own observations so others may feel differently.

 

[johnmn]

Like MDS said, Axiom aren't no-name speakers. In fact, they're one of the best speakers around IMO. I heard some Axiom bookshelf speakers recently and I would describe them as neutral to bright and very accurate. I felt they were a bit too bright and that the vocals were a tad reserved when compared to my Mordaunts, but those are my preferences. They're definitely brighter than Polks, but no where near as bright as Klipsch. Of course, these are my own observations so others may feel differently.

I like bright level of Polk, I never tried Axiom, I'm glad to know that Klipsch is brighter which is I dislike, because "too bright" makes the HT sounds cheap!
"the vocals were a tad reserved" what is that meant? is it good or bad?
May be I just give Axiom a try ! thank you for your comment. Anyone ever has experience with Axiom bookshelf quality please give me your feedbacks, I would appreciate it.

 

[rnatalli]

"the vocals were a tad reserved" what is that meant? is it good or bad?

Depends on what you like. I preferred how the vocals sounded through Mordaunts. Mordaunts simply sounded a bit more present and that's what I like, that's all. To put it another way, if I were at an opera house, the Axioms sounded as if I was 4 or 5 rows behind Mordaunts. All in all, Axioms are fine speakers.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I would (and did) choose Boston or Def Tech over all three of the brands mentioned in the OP.

 

[mike c]

Depends on what you like. I preferred how the vocals sounded through Mordaunts. Mordaunts simply sounded a bit more present and that's what I like, that's all. To put it another way, if I were at an opera house, the Axioms sounded as if I was 4 or 5 rows behind Mordaunts. All in all, Axioms are fine speakers.

have you tried to listen to Monitor Audio?

here's my comparison of the Monitor Audio BR2 and the Polk Audio Rti4
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28964
and a little of the BR2 vs. Infinity Beta 10

 

[rnatalli]

have you tried to listen to Monitor Audio?

I haven't listened to MA for some time, but I'm a big fan of UK speakers in general. I'd be curious how newer MA's compare with my Mordaunts in an A/B comparison. The last A/B comparisons I've done were using Mordaunts, Axioms, Ascends, Boston Acoustics, and Mirage. My ears preferred the Mordaunts every time. It's funny because I used to prefer very warm and even dark sound. Guess sound taste changes with time as well.

 

[johnmn]

I would (and did) choose Boston or Def Tech over all three of the brands mentioned in the OP.

Did you have a chance to test bookshelf Axiom, Polk before you chose Boston?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Did you have a chance to test bookshelf Axiom, Polk before you chose Boston?

Polk yes, Axiom no.
ID brands are way too much trouble to audition, so they have never interested me.

 

[Seth=L]

I have been sold on Boston for some time now, just need to money to get them.

 

[rnatalli]

Polk yes, Axiom no.
ID brands are way too much trouble to audition, so they have never interested me.

You should check out Axioms at some point. BA's and Axioms are similar speakers when it comes to sound IMO. You might even like the Axioms a little better. Although, there are some really good deals on BA's out there right now.

 

[BigPapaPump]

I have a pair of Infinity Monitor IIA floor standing speakers from the mid 1970's that were given to me by my father. I have no idea what they are worth. I know they retailed for $900 back in 1975. I also know he ran a Pioneer Spec 1 & 2 to them. They are in great condition with some minor scratches. If anybody knows more I'd really appreciate the input. Thanx.

 

[smurphy522]

As only a few have said. You must Demo the choices you have laid out. They are all fine speaker choices. Asking what's better, will only get you (most of the time) what others feel are better. Hey I like the color blue and green too but rarely see anyone posting a question as to "what color the audio room should be". Do what ever floats you boat!

Good luck, and enjoy the journey. Take you time, write down notes and also if relevant; get your significant others opinion on the choices (during the audition).

 

[3db]

As a fellow Canadian

I live in Canada and I want to buy speakers from the US, as a pair of front speakers for my HT, I narrow down to these pairs, they have the same price but I don't know which one is better in quality/performance:
*Klipsch Synergy B-3 is US$330 at Amazon.com
*Polk Audio Rti6 is US$300 at J&R.com
*Polk Audio Monitor 40 is US$300 at Crutchfield.com
Anyone ever has experience with either of these pairs, please give me some insight to decide, thanks a lot.

Also I need an advice on choosing between bookshelf or standing speakers ( I don't care about space/ appearance/ or asthetic issues, as long as it give me the best sound quality for my HT) I wonder if one of these pair might be an option too (they are standing speakers):
*Infinity Beta 40 is US$300 at Vanns.com
*Polk Audio Monitor 70 is US$356 at Amazon.com

My budget is US$300-$400 for a pair of front speakers . Any insight would be very appreciated!

I don't understand why are you looking at Polk and Infinity when there are so many amazing Canadian speaker manufacturers, PSB, Paradigm, Axiom, Mirage, Energy, Totem, etc th I could keep going but you get my point. These speakers can be had locally with a full manufacturer's waranty. My HT speakers are all PSB with Image T45s towers, 1B surrounds, 8C center and a subsonic5. All my friends that come over to hear my system really love the sound. Don't limit yourself to just polk or inifinity thru the web. Go out and pound the pavement looking for places that sell audio and HT equipement and see if there are some really good deals to be had. Just trying to open up your options is all.

 

[johnmn]

Update: Thank you all for your replies, I finally ordered a pair of Polk RTi6 from Crutchfield.ca for $350CAD plus PST,GST---> total is $390CAD . I received them in 3 days mint manufacturer's seal condition ! It's sound quality is very similar to Canadian products, only the price is about $100 less per pair!
US is cheaper and its quality is universal convenient and acceptable.
Again, thank you for all replies.

 

[patrickmcc23]

Infinity Monitor IIA Speakers

Looking to buy a pair of Infinity Monitor IIA speakers, would you be interested in selling yours? FedEx managed to practically destroy one of two Infinity's I was able to find.