Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners 80's or 60's????

Hey everyone. I need some advice...go with the 80's or 60's. I'm not too concerned about the price difference. I'll be running them as fronts with a Rotel 1056 receiver(for now, until I get an amp for them.) What is the general consensus? Why go with one versus the other? Any help would be appreciated!

The quick answer is M80s play louder, fill big rooms better, and handle more power. They also go a bit deeper into the bass but this is only really an issue for a stereo system without a sub.

People who have heard both (I have not) tend to slightly prefer the 80s claiming there is a bit more clarity in the midrange. I don't know if any of them have had a chance to directly A/B the two though...

Axiom folks (who DO have the ability to A/B test them at any time) say that nowadays the two speakers sound VERY similar and that the main reason for choosing one over the other would be (a) M80s can play louder, (b) M60s are 8 ohm so any receiver can drive them.

M80s are a bit bigger (taller and deeper) and so might look out of place in a small room.

If you're not too concerned with the price, then go with the best, the M80s.

I have a pair and I think that you will like them just fine.

If you have the space go for the 80's.

In my Room, I need to sit at least 10 feet or more to get proper imaging. But it is the sweetest speaker I have ever heard.

All the best.

M80's.

Yes

So far I'm leaning towards the 80's! Any other thoughts! I really want to get these baby's ordered today. Let me change things up a little. What if I told you I was considering the 80's vs B&W 604 S4's, or Paradigm Studio 100's? Any thoughts? I sure appreciate it!

Hi Jrh;

I have M60s and I am very happy with them. I always wonder if I should have chosen M80s instead, and would probably have gotten them if I had to do this over. Get M80s!! No remorse later, and bigger does not hurt, as long as they are told to sound the same.

I have listened to both the speakers you mentioned. I found B&W 6xx series too much laid back for the music I listen to (different story with their 703s). Studios 100 are great, but twice as more expensive than 80s. Axioms really give you the best bang for the buck.

A question for you: As you can see below, I use Rotel gear for a stereo setup. Sooner or later, I will build my HT with Axiom and Rotel. I see that you have RSX-1056, and I know that it will do a great job for HT, but am not sure that its performance for 2 channel would be as good as the one I have now. Have you had the chance to compare the 2 channel performance of RSX-1056 with an outboard amp like RB-1080 vs. RSP-1068/RB-1080 combo?

80's. With 2 more drivers you get more detail in the mids and highs. IMHO!

I agree that the 60's sound more like B&W 703's but better.

I had 60's but upgraded to 80's. No mistake!

Thyname-, I didn't listen to the rsp/rb setup...but I can tell you I listened to the 1056 and 1080 and loved everything I heard. Based on the research I've done I think it will make a fine Stereo setup...with the 1080 filling those Mi80's with some great clean power. I can't wait.
Hey, what are your thoughts on the Mi80's vs the B&W 703's? I don't have the opportunity of an A/B compare between the two. Anyone have a comparsion story?

My Rotel dealer has B&W as well, and they definitely match each-other. On dealers' showroom, this combo offers some great performances. I liked 703s a lot, and to tell you the truth, I would have purchased them first if I had the $3000 available. Again, M60s are very close, and deciding between the two, considering the cost factor was easy: Axioms!!!

In a short note, I recently called Axiom whether I could swap my 60s for 80s. First they told me they sound very similar. Second, since I had my M60s for 4 months already, I had to pay some extra plus shipping back to get M80s. I did not ask how much extra, since I still plan to keep my M60s. Anybody has any idea how much?