Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom M22ti or Paradigm Monitor 5 ?

Hello everyone,

I want to replace my front speakers by either the M22ti or the Monitor 5, can you please help me ? (70% for HT and 30% for music.)

Here's my setup `

Receiver : Yamaha RX-V657
Sub : Polk PSW10
Center : Polk CS245i
Rear : Polk RT35i

Thx in advance.

Patrick

M22s blow Monitor 9s out of the water. I imagine they'll turn the Monitor 5s into splinters. The real comparison between the M22s and Paradigms is in the Paradigm Studio line.

A friend of mine looked at Monitors and was pretty happy with the sound until he listened to Studio 40s. After listening to the Monitors sounded kinda muddy and bass heavy.

I suggested he consider Studio 20s but he surprised me and bought M22s instead.

monitor series yuck.

They were what my dealer had before I was considering Axioms. Muddy muddy muddy.

nuff said.

I've had both the Paradigm 5 & the Axiom M22. As others have mentioned, there really isn't any comparison for sound reproduction, clarity, soundstage or imaging. The Axioms blow the 5s out of the universe!! They are so much crisper than the Paradigms. Go with the Axioms & their 30 day trial period. You can't go wrong..

I demo'ed monitor 7's when I was shopping a while back. They were OK, but I agree w/ the "muddy" description. I'm very happy w/ my M22's.

A friend of mine had some Paradigm Monitors 2-way floorstanders (can't remember the series) and they sucked. I also had a chance to audition some Paradigm Studios (60s and 100s) and really liked 100s (V3), but once I had a chance to audition some Axioms, I realized they were just as good. And for the price (USD 2300 vs 900) it was an easy choice. I went with Axiom M60s.

What everyone else here says is true. I used to have Monitor 9s, but I replaced them with M22s and subwoofer, as a space-saving compromise with my wife. I thought I was getting the short end of the stick with that trade, but the M22s plus sub sound so much better than the Paradigm Monitor 9s that I can't even believe I used to thing the Paradigms sounded great.

Thx a lot guys...I'm sold

One last question, if I buy the M22ti will I need to replace my Subwoofer ? (Polk PSW10)

The main usage will be for Home Theater but I'm also listening a lot of Progressive Metal bands like Dream Theater, Opeth & Porcupine Tree.

Thx again.

Patrick

Patrick, welcome. You'll be delighted with your M22s, and no, you won't "need" to replace your PSW10. As you know, however, although the PSW10 has fair response down to about 35Hz, there are many subs which will play at a higher level and will reach considerably deeper. If you decide in the future that you want this, you can consider a replacement, but it isn't urgent to do so now.

Another metalhead here!! I can tell you, as a fun of this music, even though more into Euro-power metal, the Axioms sound awesome for this music. My M60s have all the oomph and crisp that I would require. You will not be wrong with purchasing Axioms.

As for two floorstanders vs. to bookshelves plus a sub for 2 channel music: I was last night at a family friend home, and I was amazed with the quality of his system - two Totem Reference monitors and a sub, simply awesome. However, he had very expensive gear to drive the speakers with: a tube pre amp and a class A Passe power amp, rated only 2X30 watts at 4 Ohms, with external DACs for his dedicated CD player.

pfillion...you do realize that you have just asked a pack of lions whether they prefer steak or salad? The responses you got were pretty obvious and expected on the AXIOM website. Not that I'm saying the M22s aren't the way to go but you might want to post your question on a more neutral forum before you spend your hard earned money.

Obviously, Axiom owners are going to have a bias toward Axioms. We all have biases.

However, I think your comment is a little harsh. Most (all?) of the people who have commented on the specific topic have owned or critically compared the speakers in question. It's not as if the comparisons made are void of experience. If somebody is already interested in Axiom speakers, do you propose that information obtained elsewhere is somehow more credible?

A "neutral" forum does not exist. The best information on the question at hand would come from people who have heard both models. That was offered candidly and cordially here.

I like your reasoning Tom...and i would add that the Pfillion has a 30 day trial to audition the speakers in his home. If he chooses to keep them that's wonderful, if not...then a minimal return shipping fee would be his only loss.

Out of all the forums I visit, audioholics, avsforum etc, I find this forum the best for neutral opinions on speakers, amps etc

AVS is pathetic. Fan boys left right and center. Then there are the people that comment on speakers they never heard before but feel like because they read some web based info on it, or seen some graph, they think their an "expert".

audioholics, not quite as bad, but getting there.

av123, also pretty good when I was there ages ago considering rockets. Actually, it was a rocket owner that said I should try axiom after me telling him what kind of sound I was looking for.

just my 2 cents.

Update :

For an extra 100$CND I can have the Paradigm Studio 200, is that worth the extra 100$ or I'll be completed satisfy with the M22ti ? I simply want the best speakers for 600/700$CND

I can also have the Polk LSi7 for around 700$ but since their impedance is 4ohms I doubt my Yamaha RXV-657 will be sufficient.

Thx again.

Patrick

Finally I just ordered the M22ti !

Thx a lot guys for the help.

I'll post my impressions later.

Patrick

Gee, that was easy.

Sorry to sound all fanboi-ish, but the Axioms are so far above the Monitors, it's just not funny. I can't speak for the Studio 20s, though. Haven't heard them.

Wow, you did this very quick!!

Congratulations!!! Please let us know your impressions on the setup.

Indeed

I'm really thrilled by all the reviews, I just hope that they are at least as good as the Paradigm Studio 20.

I also fear that I will need to replace my Sub(Polk PSW10.)My budget is really tight (I just bought a panny 42" plasma.) and I don't want to spend more than 400/450$ CND for a Sub...

thyname, did you listen the new Allen/Lande - The Battle ? http://www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/AllenBattle.htm It's a really really good Power-Prog Metal album !

Patrick

No, not yet. But I am very familiar with Jorn Lande work with Roland Grapow's band Masterplan. Their new album "Aeronautics" hit the streets not a long time ago. Awesome voice!