Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners what made you choose Axiom

For me it was best bang for the buck. I was looking for something better than my KLH setup I had in the past (yeah, yeah, I know....) Anyway, I still had a lot of gear to order... New receiver, new speakers, new sub, front projector, screen, etc, and my wife didn't understand why I needed to spend so much money on speakers since my KLH ones "sounded good to her."

Anyway, this was back before they even offered solid wood (real wood, whatever) back then. I looked at Paradigm, Klipsch, and a few others that I don't recall now. I ignored a lot of the trash talk from the AVS people, and did an audition locally. I absolutely loved them, and the price was great.

I asked a ton of questions here, and not only did I get great help from the other forum members, but when one of the "big cheeses" (Alan Lofft) from the company is helping me himself to find the right system for me, and isn't selling me the most expensive option, I am really liking what I am experiencing.

Then you start seeing all of the outstanding customer service that they provide. I mean, I've seen situations where is seems pretty clearly that an owner has done something to damage their speakers, and one quick call to Axiom, and they (Axiom) are doing what it takes to get the person up and running again at little to no cost. Simply AWESOME.

That is why, 7 years later, I am adding on to my 5.1 system and getting more Axiom speakers. I like them THAT much.

For me, I was shopping for my first system. Being new to this, the first brand that I started to research was..... will I dare say it... BOSE! I know, I know, but it is unbelievable what this little cube demos will do to you when you don't know any better.
Anyway, after trying to find some review, I quickly found what the "audiophile" world thinks of them. Reading more reviews and articles lead me to brands like Klipsch, Paradigm, B&W, Aperion, ... I listened to everything at the big box stores but never been thrilled by anything, I heard some Mirage that I liked at the time (at least much more than what can be found at BBS), I really liked the Paradigm but where too expensive.
In the end, it appeared that the best bang for the buck where found in internet direct companies. I too was debating between Axiom and Aperion in the end as both get very good reviews. I signed up to the forum and really liked the knowledge and unbiased discussions on this forum. A year later, once I saved enough money for towers, I went to visit the Axiom factory, got a factory tour, got to audition M60s and M80s, really liked the people and came home with M80s. 6 month later a got a VP150 that I returned withing 30 days as the VP180 was coming out. 6 months later I got QS8s and 3 months after that I found a good deal on a used EP600.
To the day I really enjoy my system and everybody that comes over is always impressed the way it sounds.
I believe Axiom makes an amazing product for the price and its customer service is amazing. I've had a few problems with my purchases but they stand behind their product their customer service always came thru and this is also very important and should be included in the price tag IMO.

I first saw Axiom products back many years ago when they were still selling them in retailers and I was quite curious as to the unique cabinet design. It wasn't until later when they went strictly the IO route and I saw the countless choices of cabinet finishes that I got REALLY interested. The company's background in R&D was similar to Paradigm and PSB(two other notable Canadian companies)so I knew the sound would probably be somewhat similar, however, the Axioms were more competitively priced in similar categories.

Aperion speakers are quite good as well, however, they are made in China and from time to time, inventory, especially with new products, can be problematic. Axiom is a long standing Canadian company that does ALL their manufacturing in Canada, something that is pretty unique in the CE industry today and that is another good reason why they get my full support.

I took a gamble to be different from the rest far over Malaysia here :p and the price from factory outlet are not too bad even after shipping + tax, still almost 50% off compared to other similar spec speakers being sold here.

Off course the great review on the web did help a lot on my decision....they still sound great after 3 years...have listen to better speakers along the way but they are 3 times the price I paid for Axiom M60 + VP150.

Am eyeing a VP180 now and maybe in the future QS8 when my job are really stable.

Casey, I believe individual components for some of the axiom speakers and amps are made overseas, but all cabinets and final assemply is done in Canada

Interestingly, Tannoy was also employing this speaker shape in its Definition lineup in the early 1990s, although i believe their cabinet design (called a corner mount) goes much further back.



I own the D700s.

http://www.hilberink.nl/codehans/tannoy131.htm

I was wanting to upgrade my $500 Sony HTIB, but didn't know which direction to turn, because my only experience with speakers, was a Bose 901 Series II that I used to own (mid 70's to early 80's then they were stolen and I never replaced). I went through a long period, where I didn't listen to music much and didn't even own a TV.

Anyway, I Googled for "audiophile speakers", and Axiom Audio was one of the companies that came up. I was intrigued with them, but just couldn't justify the cost of a pair of M80 at the time. Looking at the place where I wanted to put them, there just wasn't room for them anyway.

So, my thoughts turned back to Bose. A sales man at Nebraska Furniture Mart, where I was shopping demo'ed some Bose Acoustimas (cost around $1200) for me and cranked it up. Immediately, I hated them. Grating on the ears. Unpleasant sounding overall. Back to the drawing board.

I decided I wanted a sound bar. Yamaha seemed to make the best one, from my research, but, they discontinued it. I went to a Magnolia Best Buy store to demo what they had. They had what they called their best one connected up with sound and a TV. They were playing Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds on it and it sounded good. I put in a CD that I had brought and, twa-la, there was no bass, and it sounded poorly overall. They had a pair of Elemental Design's, floor models, skinny and tall towers, on sale that I almost bought, but thought I could do better with Axiom.

I ordered my first pair of Axiom M22 with stands. Sounds ok, but not what I was looking for. I had a cheap Sony Receiver, I paid $150 for off of NewEgg.com, I sent it back hoping my problem was the receiver, and not the speakers. It was a few months later, that I bought the Pioneer Elite reciever I have now. Listening to this combination was like audio nervana. I was in love.

I had a 27" lcd on a stand with these to either side. Then I bought a 37" and mounted it on the wall. Now I wanted the on/wall variety. So I bought on wall VP100, and a pair of M22, all in black. It looked really, really good. But after time, visitors started complaining how there was a certain shrillness to the sound. Then it started to bother me. I moved the on-wall M22's up, then added the bookshelf M22's with stands back into the mix, and the sound was much improved overall.

Later I swapped out the VP100 with an M2 for center channel, to test, and wasn't satisfied, so I placed it above the Tv to use in conjunction with VP100. When I found an on-wall VP150 in a finish I liked on the auction site for a good price, I got it.

Tried out the EP175 and wasn't satisfied with it. Then I upgraded to the EP350 and it's a winner.

My next step for this room, would be to replace the 37" tv with a 47" tv. Then perhaps eliminate the on-wall M22's. Move the bookshelf M22's up, and add a pair of M50's.

Catbrat, you have similar histories. I too had the 901 series II I purchased mine in Germany while in the Army. I actually liked the sound they produced. I too went long without a TV or much music listening. I now have a Pioneer Elite 84tsx, and I want to get the M22v3's because I don't want to take up floor space. I'm thinking of the VP150 for center and the QS8's of course. I have to choose between the Hsu VTF-3 MK4 or the PB-12 NSD from SVS for the sub. I'm just apprehensive to pull the trigger. Don't know if I should get the M60's instead and take up the floor space. I know, I just need to order them and try them out. Thanks for the help everyone.

I'd always go bigger. If you can, get the M80's, or the M60's. You won't regret it.

I agree go bigger if you can, but M22's with a good sub is an awesome combo.

Regarding center channel, I know Cat says he did not have a favourable experience with M2 as a center, but for me in my room I found the M2 to be a very good upgrade to the VP150 as a center channel. Nobody is right or wrong here, but I did want to point out you should consider a vertical center if you can, no matter what speakers you end up purchasing. It's a really good option that most people just never consider.

Oh yeah, go with QS8's, they are just awesome IMHO.