Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners M2 vs M3 for Surrounds

So normally I would think the larger driver would be the better speaker. But considering the frequencies reproduced in surround channels, which is better the M2 or the M3? Does the on wall vs bookshelf make a difference in this discussion.

The M5.

Bookshelf for you because you want more bass. Mount it with an FMB.

Interested in this as well, was considering using some on-walls as Atmos heights.
Anyone have thoughts on which one would work best?

I’m using M3’s for heights and M3ow for tops but I imagine that you could use on walls all around

M5.

Having listened to only the M5 and not the the M2 or M3s, I'm thinking the smaller driver will out perform the larger ones in the on wall series (due to cabinet size) especially when you take into consideration the signal being sent to the rear or front presence channels, or ATMOS. The only down side to the M2 and M3 is that they are nowhere near as sexy as the High Powered M5's.... here's a pic to prove my point!

The M5 outperforms the M2 and M3 always. That is an Axiom.

Rebulx, the M3 sounds like an M50 but less full and the M2 sounds like an M5 with less bass. The M3 and M2 sound very different. The M2 is 720p and the M3 is 480i.

Your M5s look swanky particularly with those roses you gave yourself.

I'll take your word for it Mojo, but considering the signals for ATMOS don't you think the M2 would be the better choice? Curious, as that is where i'm heading. I still have the M5's on walls and M80 on walls.

What is it about the atmos signals that you think are better suited to the M2?

Atmos is full spectrum and dynamic range. Perfect for M5 or QS10. The M2 and M3 will distort long before the M5.

You want bass to originate from the intended channel. Strive to assign the sub to the .1 channel. Like me. Moooowaaahaha. Sounds so incredible!

I always thought surround rears and ATMOS were for frequencies above 80-100 hz. I guess it is true, you learn something everyday!

The M2, M3, & M5 differences seems to be a topic discussed quite a bit here. Since I’m ripping everything apart to try the HT on the short wall ... I’ll try and do a quick Listen and see if I can come up with a few comments or perhaps some very unscientific impressions Between the three.

Also Mojo, You always seem a bit conflicted on the M3...like you want to both praise it and diss it at the same time. Like I’ve said before I like the M3 and think as a stand alone bookshelf it’s a great way to go. As surrounds I think they are a Big Bang for the buck (Especially if you can get them on sale). I imagine that the M5s are better And on your recommendation (need for decent bass for surrounds) I’m using them in my bed surrounds. All my heights and tops are M3s.

Wait... you went full atmos?

Either the M2 or M3 are ok choices for ceiling channels. I would not go for an M5 due to the highly variable response on its vertical axis. Depending on how you mount them, the seat to seat consistency may be tough to manage.

The best speakers for ceiling use are in-ceiling speakers. The on walls should be used on walls -because of the vertical axis variability. Ceiling channels should have the tweeter and driver tilted toward the mlp.

I think the most important factor in ceiling and surround channels is output before distortion as Mojo mentioned. I think rrlev is bang on with his build choice. The bass should be passed off to the subs below 80hz. Not practical to send full range to ceiling speakers for many reasons -mostly enclosure size/weight.

Even high end designs pass off bass to a local sub and not the discrete channel. Just not practical.

"Also Mojo, You always seem a bit conflicted on the M3...like you want to both praise it and diss it at the same time."

Regarding the M3, as I have said on its product review page, it offers similar soundstage and imaging as all the other Axioms that have a dedicated mid-range woofer albeit at reduced resolution. The big difference is the lack of that mid-woofer. The 5% of the musical energy that lives in the mid-range band on the majority of songs simply is not as detailed on the M3 as mid-woofer-imbued Axioms.

That lack of detailed mid-range really does conflict me. It conflicts me because there are times when I really like it less detailed. And there are times when I want more detail. It's like I'd love to have a switch on the mid-woofer-imbued Axioms to dial in this mood on a whim.

Rich, I urge you not to line up your M3 and M5 for a listen. You may become as conflicted as I am.

Ok so everyone agrees on rear channels then! M2 on walls are the better choice or equally as so the M3 bookshelves? lol

Right! M2, M3 and M5 on-walls and bookshelves.

Seriously though, the M2 on walls for my small space should work? Here is a pic on my ceilings. I'm thinking they will blend in my beams for ATMOS plus mid on walls.

M2s hanging off the rafters and facing your listening area will sound great. You'll need to cut them off at 80 Hz.

Swanky slippers those are.

I love the OW M3's for Atmos surrounds and backs. I also love the round M3 ceiling speakers for overhead duty. Now - when I praise these speakers, I am being specific for their installed and purposeful deployment - ATMOS.

I built some boxes to house the ceiling speakers, then mounted them to my ceiling. You might be able to do something similar in your room. The vaulted ceiling will make overhead speaker placement a challenge - regardless of what you do.

What slippers?

The slippers on the feet attached to the legs below the panties. You gotta click on Rebulx's photo, Michael. Unless you are kidding of course.

Curious if your OW M3s are wall-mounted or hanging off FMBs from your ceiling.

Oh.... I only got as far as the panties. Had trouble getting further.

My OW M3s are mounted directly to the walls. The room is small, and folks need to squeeze between one of the M3s and the seats. I need to fix that, cause the grill gets knocked off every time I use the HT. I'm too lazy to post pictures at the moment. Maybe later....

Rebulx, more pics please. LOL!

The M3ow's are quite good. The M3c's I would avoid unless you need them for aesthetics ... they are a big compromise ... I would recommend M3ow for your ceiling speakers if the aesthetics work.

My take on the M3c sound:
I have the in-ceiling installed in a few places. One of the problems I found was that they are a lot better in small spaces then large ones. In a medium-large space in which an M3 or M3 on-wall could do a reasonable job, the M3c's sound thin. The ones in much smaller rooms (like my master bathroom) sound good but nowhere as good as M3/M2 or anything else Axiom. Walking from the bath to the master playing M22s (with out sub) is a huge constant in sound (for the better).

Do you have pics Michael?

Michael, please take pic-posting lessons from Rebulx.

The M2s are more neutral than the M3s, so I'd say it depends on what you fronts are. I see M22's in your signature, if that's you L/R I'd go with the M2. If you're using the M5 up from, then probably the M3s. (Full disclosure, I have M5s with M2s, but that's because I had M22s up front until I swapped in the M5s.)

The M2s give improved clarity (detail) and dispersion at mid-range and lower high frequencies compared to the M3s. You have to cross them over at 80Hz if you're going to play loud otherwise the bass will distort. However, I would not call the distortion objectionable and it may even be considered pleasant.

The M3s are definitely warmer-sounding. I like both in their own way. I have the M2OW in the living room for stereo. I don't have a cross-over on my 2-channel receiver so the M2OW bass distorts just enough to make them warmer.

The M5s are like M2s with bass.

How did you use the M3 ow for the tops?
Mount them on the ceiling?
Using the brackets provided by Axiom?
Possible to share a pic?

Thanks.