Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Gene DeSalla's latest video with a stab at...

The source would feed a preamp. The preamp would be connected to the LFR DSPs/amps and the amp for speaker B. Switching would take place at the preamp level or at the source level.

How does one go about agreeing on speaker B?

The M5 is about $1000. If we decided on it, Gene could pick any $1000 bookshelf speaker.

If M100's, he could pick any $3000 speakers.

I see. Based on price.

For a few reasons, I really like this idea. Everyone would have to agree with the speaker choices and the details of the test methodology. I also think the results should remain private so that no one has anything to lose or gain from this.

It would still be a very tough set up to try. I actually have a non remote version of the switching passive pre amp that Axiom uses - Debbie built it for me in 2015.

To be fair in the test, the speakers are set ABAB then switched to BABA. Doing this with the actives would take too long. Then you have the argument about amps ...

Axiom usually uses Bryston amps for the blind tests, along with a Bryston pre amp. It keeps the amp interface "neutral."

My personal preference for a test would be the M5's vs Martin Logan 35XTi ($1300 per pair).

There are so many details to agree upon in a test like this. How do you ensure that the environment and test equipment don't favor one speaker over the other?

This is why you pick passive speakers and use Bryston amps and preamps. If Gene doesn't like Brystons, he can pick something else. All that is needed is a neutral amp - and if anyone says Bryston isn't neutral, he's a moron.

How do you choose a "neutral" room? Or will any room do?

Axiom's room is quite neutral. Keep in mind both speakers are in the same room.