YASRP (Yet Another Speaker Recommendation Post)

[heavyharmonies]

As if there aren't a gazillion already.

I'm wanting to play with some new speakers in my HT setup, but don't feel like spending an arm and seven legs.

(Please leave all references to companies, their histories, issues, etc., out of this discussion; I'm fully aware of AV123's issues. I just want feedback on speaker choice, thanks.)

Room Size: 18x25, HT setup on narrow end.

Current system:

Power: Denon AVR-2807 with front preouts driving a Carver M-4.0T
Fronts: Polk Audio SDA-1C (with umbilical cable)
Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 5b (can you tell I have a soft spot for vintage Polk?)
Center: Definitive Technology C1
Sub: Elemental Designs A5-350 (original downfiring version) X2

Sources: Sony PS3 (Blu-Ray), Toshiba XA2 (HD-DVD), Dish 211 (HD)

I like the wide, deep soundstage of the Polk's SDA effect, but it may be interfering with the surround information coming from the signal, so I want to try some "normal" speakers and see if I like them better. If I prefer the new speakers, I'll relegate the 1Cs to be my new rear surrounds, if not visa versa.

Speakers I am considering:

Swan Diva 6.1 ($724.59 + shipping)
Swan Diva 6.2 ($1,058.69 + shipping)
Rocket RS850 ($999 + estimated $225 shipping YIKES!)
X-Statik ($999 + estimated $225 shipping YIKES!)
Axiom M80 ($1,330 shipped)

Usage: 80% Home Theater, 20% Music (lots of hard rock and heavy metal, some classical).

Thanks in advance!

 

[fredk]

Go listen and tell us what you think. Axiom has a Hearing Things forum where you might hook up with someone local that will let you audition.

 

[the grunt]

Like Fred suggests you should go out and try to have a listen to some of those speakers first. I believe all 3 companies have forums where you may be able to hook up with a current owner for a demo. If you can’t demo any of them then post what other sonic characteristics you like and dislike in speakers because some of the ones you’ve listed sound very different from each other.

IMO the Swans are outstanding overall speakers but don’t do loud or hard hitting tight bass well. The Rockets again IMO aren’t as well rounded as the Swans but will play louder better. I haven’t heard the X-Statiks. I think the Axiom M80s are better all around than the Rockets but not the Swans however, beware some people who like the sounds of the Rockets and Swans consider the M80 to be very “in your face.”

I bought the M80s over the ones above that I’d heard because I thought there were very accurate and sound great with the music I like to play loud: Viking Metal, Gothic Rock/Metal, GOA Trance and classical.

If you want louder and more concert style “in your face” also consider Klipsch. However, they are also considered by many to be bright “in your face” speakers but they usually more easily driven to rock concert levels.

Again all those speakers could sound great to you depending on your sonic preferences. I’m not sure how all those companies handle shipping but Axiom charges about $30/tower speaker to return if you decide not to keep them within the 30 day trial period. I believe AV123 charges the same return to return them as to ship them to you. Not sure about Swan.

Also it looks like you quoted a Rocket sale price. Don’t pay full retail for them as they are always going on sale. Axiom also offers “factory outlet” speakers for 10% off. Sometimes these are B-stock with minor blemishes however all of my factory outlet speakers have been A-stock which they appear to ship if they don’t have any B-stock within the timeframe quoted.

If you have any local shops selling Paradigm the M80s IMO sound similar to the Studio 100s.

Good luck,
Dean

 

[heavyharmonies]

After doing more research, I decided to take a flyer on a pair of X-Statik B-Stocks in Moho Satin for $849 shipped.

The reason for them being B-stocks is "moderate veneer cracking throughout." I called AV123 and asked them what exactly this means. They say they received several pairs from the factory, shipped as B-stocks (so they are still boxed). The ones they have examined have some splitting of the veneer that occurred prior to lacquering (so its under the lacquer). They say it's not likely to get worse over time. It is slight enough to only be noticeable under very close examination, but for the furniture-conscious it might cause complaints, so they are B-Stocks. They say it will not affect performance in any way.

I asked if they could provide pictures, but was told that they tried, but they can't get close-ups tight enough to actually show the cracking.

We'll see.

At any rate, if it is indeed as slight a defect as they claim, I'm more than willing to tolerate it for $599/pair versus the $999/pair the A-stocks sell for.

What sealed the deal for me was 4 things (sorry, I don't have enough posts to provide URLs):

1. I liked the "airiness", soundstage, and realism I've heard from Maggies, but want something with a bit more impact for HT. This description seems to fit the X-Statiks.

2. Taking all of the discussion I've been able to find (here, AVS Forum, AV123 forum, Audio Circle, etc.), I'm hard pressed to find anyone who didn't like them. Sure, they may not compete with $3,000+/pair speakers, but that's not their competition.

3. Their review in The Absolute Sound.

4. Their winning "Best Value Speaker" at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Audiofest.

 

[Soundman]

If you have any local shops selling Paradigm the M80s IMO sound similar to the Studio 100s.

Good luck,
Dean

Just curious about this statement. The Rockets have been compared to the Studio 100's and they sound completely different then the M80's. The M80's and Rockets have a completely different sound. They are night and day!

 

[fredk]

Hey Soundman. I too have wondered that and its one of the reasons I would like to compare my M80s to the Rocket 850. There are probably small differences between the M80/100 and the rocket 850/100 that translate into a larger difference between the M80/Rocket 850.

 

[fredk]

Heavyharmonies. Let us know your impressions when the Xstatics arrive.

 

[just listening]

I'll be honest the Rocket 850's just offer more detail, depth, and dynamics than the M80's IMHO. Plus, one can install the Skiing Ninja crossover upgrades to further improve the sound.

I've heard the x-statiks once, and Danny Richie does design some amazing speakers, vocals are very clear.

 

[the grunt]

After doing more research, I decided to take a flyer on a pair of X-Statik B-Stocks in Moho Satin for $849 shipped

Congratulations on your choice. Please post your impressions of them if you get a chance.

Just curious about this statement. The Rockets have been compared to the Studio 100's and they sound completely different then the M80's. The M80's and Rockets have a completely different sound. They are night and day!

The last time I was auditioning speakers I felt that the Axiom M80s, B&W 704s, Focal Chorus 816s, and Paradigm Studio 100s all had a generally similar “bright” (for lack of a better term) sound and listed them here in my perceived order of “brightness.” I was able to directly compare the Axioms - B&Ws and the Axioms - Focals but heard the Paradigms separate from all of them FWIW.

Although the Paradigms were the lest “bright” of the speaker I compared I still don’t think they were like the Rockets. I would put the Rockets closer to the Swans than the Paradigms in overall sound but I haven’t directly compared them.

I have directly compared the Rocket 850s and the Axiom M80s and agree they are night and day different, however, not everyone shares the opinion Axioms and Rockets sound so different. Here is a quote (snip) from Ajax (AV123, Axiom, Tweak City…just to name a few). Granted he is comparing the M60 which are considered a little less forward than the M80s but not that much from what I’ve read.

…The M60s and RS850s are tough to qualify. I honestly like them both, and if I could only have one of them, I could easily be happy with either. Proponents of each brand will tell you the two speakers sound VERY different. I agree that there is a difference, but I don’t find it as huge as others do. YMMV.

Axiom fans would describe this difference as "Axioms = accurate, Rockets = laid back." Rocket fans would describe the difference as "Axioms = forward, Rockets = accurate." The difference is basically the same, but they use terms to describe that difference which reflect their preference and are flattering to their favorite brand while unflattering to the competition.

There are positives and negatives to each side of this difference. I notice the difference most when listening to music. For HT, IMHO, they are both flawless. When playing a wonderfully recorded/mixed/mastered disc, the Axioms have a knock your socks off “WOW” factor. The 850s also have a “WOW” factor, just not quite as big as the M60s (only one sock gets knocked off ), but a "WOW" nonetheless.

On the other hand, when playing a less than ideally recorded disc, and there are all too many of these in existence, the Axioms will reveal all, and that disc will not sound very good (garbage in/garbage out). The 850s will be a bit more forgiving when playing poorly recorded/mixed/mastered discs. So, Axioms = big “WOW” factor/don’t like lousy discs. Rockets = slightly smaller “WOW” factor (but still a "WOW")/more forgiving with lousy discs…

I’ve read Jacks posts across many forums and highly respect his opinions and since he’s actually owned both brands he has a better basis for comparison than my couple hour side by side shootout.

Cheers,
Dean