Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Hearing Things A six month long test of an Axiom Tower vs. ???

Good seeing ya around again Craig!

B&W, Paradigm, Wharfedale Opus 2.3’s are the ones that come to mind, but that’s only because I’ve owned or listened to each.

Actually, what I think might be an even more interesting comparative test, would be Axiom M80’s verse M80 HP’s verse M100’s. The LFR’s are too complicated for me. I want speakers I can just plug my wires into and run them.

Michael - Good to see you, too! Thanks for the welcome back.

Ian and Andrew could confirm this, but I think the M-80, M-80 HP and M-100 would sound pretty much identical, with the M80 HP having about 3 dB more output below 160 Hz than the M80, and the M-100 having an additional 3 dB in output below 160 Hz than the M80 HP.

When we get back from vacation, the trigger will be pulled on the speakers - right now, the KEF Q900 is the front runner for the comparison. It's about the same $$$ as the M80, and is listed as a class "B" in Stereophile's recommended components.

Class "B" has speakers up to and over $10,000 per pair, so this is high praise from Stereophile.

Michael - I should add, if Ian and/or Andrew wanted to have some comparisons done between the M80's and M100, I am all for this as well.

I have really missed doing the reviews and "hanging out" with audio nuts.

To throw an idea into the M80/HP/100 mix, what about adding in the question for the article.

'Do you need a sub for audio?' As these big boys start to get down to a level that a budget class sub will max out at. So you can answer the question of is it better to spend a bit more for the HP or 100 and forgo getting the sub for your system.

Interesting question. I've tried sub/small speaker vs full range speakers a few times and was never impressed with the sub (crossover artifacts seem to outweigh ability to go lower) but in hindsight I think the room was always getting in the way.

+1 for regular vs HP speakers, seems to be a bit more of a bass-heavy tilt in the HP speakers and trying to figure out if I would like that or not. That said, will end up pulling the trigger on some M60HPs to find out myself eventually...

EDIT -- off topic but &^$&^%$!!, missed some nice B-stock natural cherry M3v4's.

After seeing the specs on the woofer in the M100, it was pretty clear it would make for a nice, 32 Hz subwoofer.

Somewhere on the Axiom site, there is a pic of an EP-100 using this driver (just one) in a compact sub ... so an M100 has three, which is basically the same as a 12 mm X-max, 11 inch subwoofer tuned to the mid 30's.

Should have some pretty good wallop.

Speaking of wallop ... the EP800 is looking like something to try out, just for fun. There is SO much to subwoofers besides "how loud is it at 20 Hz".

The old EP-500 was a favorite 9 years ago ... and Andrew has posted the new EP-500 is more potent, even as a sealed unit.

I forgot we're talking to the man who put the "sub" in "craigsub"

In a moment of weakness I just pulled the trigger on some non-HP B-stock M60 v4's, so assuming I feel up to carrying a pair of M60s up and down the stairs yet again I should be able to comment on (a) M60ti vs M60v4, and (b) M60v4 vs Ascend Sierra-1.

Good stuff on the new M60's! Does it help to know I will have to carry the M100's and even the EP800 myself?

Actually, at 110 pounds, the EP-800 is remarkably easy to move around compared to most "beast" subs.

Check out the M80 and M80HP drivers. The HP version using the same drivers as the M100. I think the HP option is, to be frank, a waste of money, and that's why I bought V4 non-HP M80's. But....there have been others on this site who said the HP version sounded better to them. I can't help but think that is psychological, and not real. Oh wait, forget it…..I don’t want to know, cause then I’d just buy other friggin set of speakers if they do sound better….

As far as sub with stereo goes, I use an EP600 with M80’s (TI models). I have it crossed at 40. I love it. The system sound naked without it.

craig:

With me directing my wife, I found that she could move our EP800s around quite well, ha!

We put them on a bath towel on our hardwood floor & easily pushed them into place. The vertical form factor works well with them because one is not bent over trying to wrestle something that heavy...

TAM