Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo High Power? What's the verdict?

Greetings All!
I'm thinking maybe (no good reason really - other than I can afford to do so!) it's time to upgrade my M80V2s to M80V4s - wondering if anyone can expound a bit on the High Power option. I'm sure it's been discussed before - so a link to any threads would be helpful too.
I'm strictly Stereo (2 Channel music - no movies, TV etc). Have had but ditched various subs and am powering the V2s with an Outlaw RR2150.
Am still in love with the sound of these speakers, so this may be diminishing returns - but maybe not!
Thanks in advance!

I upgraded from M80v2 to M3, M5, and M100v4. Read my product reviews for M5, M3, 160 and 800 and posts. They are completely different. On a different level.

The RR2160 replaced your receiver and it looks awesome. I really wonder how it sounds. It's missing three things: Tidal, Spotify and Chromecast all integrated into it.

I don't know if anyone has had a chance to do side-by-side comparisons between HP and standard versions of the same speaker, but for 2 channel music speakers without subs I would be tempted to spring for the HP version. There is a $700 CAD price difference so not a no-brainer choice but definitely tempting.

On the other hand the standard M80 low end response is very good so one could argue that unless you are playing at high SPLs with a bigger amp in your future then the standard versions will arguably be just as good.

It would be nice to see how the low end frequency response curves differ between the versions (cabinet volume is the same but woofer characteristics are different) but it might take a trip up the sub-woofer tower to do that and it's not the greatest weather for testing speakers outside right now.

Sorry, thought I would have a more useful response when I started typing

M5s, each with a single HP driver, sound better than M80v2 which of course have two standard drivers each. That's not just my opinion. It's also the opinion of four others who heard my system.

Shoot!

Now I'm sorely tempted to return to my Bookshelf roots (Boston A60s were my trusted companions for years).
I am sub-less, remember Mojo - so I wonder - will I feel low end deprived if I shift from M60/M80 to the M5HP - it seems like you were running a sub during your A/Bing?

Thanks to you both for your replies Mojo and Brigman - yes, helpful (if not maddening - but of course insanity/obsession is half the fun). Hmmm....

I now have the m5 in the living room and the M100s in my main space. When I was powering the m5 with my 17 year old Denon, I needed a sub and port plugs. I replaced the Denon with a 2 channel pioneer and no port plugs and no sub needed. It's like a whole different system! What do you think of that?

With the M5s you need stands. The best way to kill their sound is to put them in a bookcase... Lol. The M5s are 5 dB less sensitive than my M100s. So make sure you have enough power. Of course if you want the ultimate in realism, pick up the M100s in refurb or b stock. But I'll tell you the M5s are close. Think of it this way, the M3s are on one end of the spectrum and the M100s on the other. The M5s are wayyyy close to the M100s. I keep saying the m100s are for the 1%.

If the m5 lacks bass in your system, it will not be the m5's fault but rather your electronics!

How far apart are your M80s, how far away are you sitting, how far from the front walls and side walls are they?

M80's are 12' apart - I am at the apex of the triangle just about 11" from center. no side walls - backs are about a foot from rear wall - toed in 0-15º depending on my OCD at any given time.

Right, I know the M5HPs will need stands - there is no bookshelf in the room - I am using that term loosely to differentiate it from the M60/M80/M100 form factor. My brother in law is an accomplished finish carpenter so I'll commission him to build matching cherry pedestals - the metal pipe aesthetic of the Axiom stands won't cut it with my better half.

If anything at an 8 ohm (yes?) load the Outlaw will have even less heavy lifting than it does with the M80s now - so I think my electronics are sufficient to drive the M5HPs to their full potential.

Your experiences with the M5 are very compelling, Mojo...so thanks!

Push comes to shove I can always relegate them to the TV room and push them with my old HK...maybe that'd give me a reason to watch TV!

No side walls?