Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Help needed with M5HP receiver options

I'm running 4.5 in the main room consisting of active LFR1100 driven by an ADA-1000-8 and a 1500-2, QS10 fed by an ADA-1000, one 800, two 600 and two 500 subs. No centre channel needed. Sources are an 8 year old Onkyo with a firestick, PS3 and Yammie cassette deck. And a karaoke.

In the living room I run M5OW with dual 125 subs fed from a Pioneer and a Chromecast audio. I just replaced my M2OW there. Frankly, there was no need. As Rebulx just discovered, the M2s and a sub are all that most people need.

I have Audiobytes, M50v4, M3v4, M2v4 and M5v4 bookshelves in other rooms. My friend stole my M100s when I wasn't home. He and his wife have locked themselves in their home and aren't answering their phones. When I go over, all I can hear is the M100s playing.

I also have an Air Force and Freedom. I use both to stir trouble with the neighbors outside.

Cherry cinnamon...nice. If you saw my various walnut finishes and cherry chestnut, you'd want them.

O my... you've got it all when it comes to Axiom speakers ! I now understand better the label "axiomite". I've never took a note on "omindirectonal speakers" and just read the story behind LFR1100. Fascinating. "My friend stole my M100s..." ha, ha, what better can be said about speakers? One day I will be replacing my PSB's T5. That might be right time to look closer at M100 or M90. And you have quite a nice line up of equipment. I've never been close enough to Onkyo to say anything but I am long-time fan of Pioneer's sonic performance. In fact, their VSX-LX304 was on my short list of receivers but eventually I left Yamaha and Denon (from which, your recommendation lifted Yamaha to a leading spot).

Yes, I agree on colors/finishes and would have personally gone for cherry-chestnut or even Bordeaux. But I've got to yield to the opinion of my lady. This assured smoother approval of budget LOL!

"As Rebulx just discovered, the M2s and a sub are all that most people need" - I must say that this alerted my immune system a bit. Before I ordered M5HP I was deliberating [mostly with myself] if I shall go M2 or M3 + sub or M5HP without sub. I wish I discovered this forum before ordering. For the context, my target system is in the basement and includes TV. So, some movies and explosions will be there but, in the end, musical fidelity is the primary objective. I wonder if M2/M3+sub would have been better? I am very keen on M5HP and would never pull the plug on a pending order but it would be great to know you honest opinion.

"Axiomite" refers to the number of posts I've written and has nothing to do with my equipment.

Regarding the M100, more drivers does not necessarily equal better. Of all the Axioms I've mentioned, none have worked as well in my living room as the M2OW and the M2 bookshelves - not even the active LFR1100. The M2OW worked better than the M2 bookshelves by physically and acoustically integrating better with my room. I wrote a lot on that. While the M5OW create more realistic music than the M2OW, there is still something I really miss about the M2OW. I can't quite put my finger on it.

As for the LFR1100, recognize there is a passive version and an active version. I have the actives. The actives embody textbook listening window and sound power curves. They sound like nothing but the source music. They impart nothing to the music.

I have bordeaux and it is a touch too red for me. The Cherry Chestnut is also reddish but it's a different character of red. My personal preferences are walnut natural satin, cherry chestnut, walnut caramel, walnut espresso and then walnut bordeaux. The first four are within very slim hairs of each other on the preference scale. That's how lovely they are!

I have the last great Onkyo made to date and it cost me 700 Canuck bucks. When I had my Axiom v2 system, the Onk made a world of difference due to the XT32. Now with the active LFR1100s, I don't need any EQ. I never thought I'd see the day.

M3v4 is a very relaxed, less detailed, laid back kind of sound. The lack of a mid-range driver is responsible for that. Same great v4 imaging and soundstage but 480p-like resolution. With the M2 and M5, it's 720p acoustic imaging resolution.

As I said in Rebulx's post, an M2 with good sub is better than just an M5. But an M5 with a good sub is better than an M2 with a good sub. So you can enjoy your M5 now and add a sub later.

Note that M5s will play louder than M2s and can be pushed to higher peaks.

What is your room size, how far apart will the speakers be from each other and how far will you be sitting? How far away from the front wall can you position the speakers? Is it a live room or a lot of cushy furnishings?

Dark oak and acacia...I really wish I had that. I've fallen in love with wood since I got the Axioms with woodies.

I agree with 99.9 percent of what mojo says... 99.99 of the time... lol. My M5 on walls are laying in the garage and I'm enjoying the heck out of the M2 bookshelf's right now. So much in fact I will be ordering a set of M2 on walls when I get back to the house next week. I just have to see what MJ is talking about! Plus it actually makes sense in my audio brain that the M2 on walls would kick ass as the cabinet volume matters and I think the m2 on walls maybe hitting that sweet spot.

Where are you planning to place the M2OW? Are you thinking of the ebony or maybe the walnut?

If we're speaking about colour choices, I ordered the M5HP's in Walnut, natural stain with piano finish! Can't wait to check them out.

I'd love to see photos of those. I have the walnut natural satin for my active LFR1100s, two EP500 subs and QS10s. I can't stop myself from looking at the walnut! Ian convinced me that was the way to go for timeless beauty. He not only knows his audio but also finishes.

Totally agree, can't wait to get them set up! I'll definitely share some pics.

As the discussion angled toward colors/finishes, I just realized how fortunate we are having all of them available. Walnut, cherry, rosewood and even more, with so many stains/paints! That is nothing but luxury for the customer. I cannot find anything close, at least nothing in in N.America, that offers comparable choice and convenience. I am really happy I discovered Axiom and cannot wait to my first listen of M5HP

Mojo, since you asked, here are parameters of the room:
-room size: 12ft x 25ft
-how far apart will the speakers be from each other: around 10 ft
-how far away from the front wall can you position the speakers: I am thinking 3 ft
-how far will you be sitting: 6 ft or more
-is it a live room or a lot of cushy furnishings: part of the floor is hardwood but the room is mostly cushy
Does that make sense for M5HP ? Would you have any hints on configuration ? Thanks!