Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Axiom M5HP vs Revel M16

Ive messed with this a fair bit -given I have a soundproofed room (stc 65ish) and I agree with Mojo. After a certain volume your ears attenuate sound naturally to protect them from harm. This messes up any chance of happy squint listening. That said, nobody has ever said “this track images better at lower volume.” Always, “holy shit! It goes louder?!”

I dont remember the db off hand, but I remember our ear mechanism clamps faster at higher frequencies than low due to our sensitivity.. Like our ear’s circuit breaker. Something tells me 90ish db. Cant remember. The effect lasts for a bit after exposure and actually changes results in hearing tests.

I find there is a definite SPL threshold in my room where the soundstage depth collapses. As the volume is increased, the images get larger and they move towards the front. I don't like that. I find this is the case regardless of speaker. The threshold is raised as I move the speakers into the room. Thankfully with the way I have things set up, that threshold is louder than I care to listen to.

This is no different in my living room where the M2OW/dual EP125s are.

Thanks to everyone for their input. The M5HP are the at the same pricepoint as the Revel M16. I know the Revel's are highly thought of. But with the M5HP's being a 3 way they are very intriguing. My main focus is in soundstage and clarity. I can audition the Revels but not the M5HP. So once again thanks for the input.

I am not a betting man. However, I would definitely wager on this because it is a sure thing. The M5HPs will give you greater clarity, at all volumes, compared to the Revels. I cannot wager on the soundstage and imaging. I know damned well the Revel Spinorama is nothing to be sneered at.

BTW, you need to audition in your own home. Otherwise, there is no point.

Having just upgraded my Yamaha RXA-860 I can say there is a huge difference to the newer Yamaha units. Picked up an RX-A1080 demo unit and i'm SHOCKED how much better it sounds. it's night and day.

And btw, Axiom's M3's will demolish those the Revel M16, the M5's are not a fare comparison. You need a new receiver though, no matter what you go with.

The M3 has the same soundstage and imaging as the M5HP. It does not however have the same imaging resolution or tonality. The M3 is like 480p and the M5HP is like 1080p when it comes to spatial resolution.