Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11 |
Hello
I'm demo'ing a pair of Axiom M60s vs some CSW T200s, and have a few questions. The main thing I noticed between the two, was that the Axioms had more of a clearer, natural sound, while the T200s sounded warmer with a little less depth. Both have very good sound stages, and both sound good with music as well as HT.
But now here's the thing, everyone I've had compare the two at my house likes the way the T200s sound better, because it has more of bassy/deeper sound. Most of the speakers I've ever listened to sound more like the T200, almost like it had an equalizer on or it was set for less treble, more bass. The Axioms stand out because of how unobtrusive the bass is, and almost how plain (in a good way) the music sounds.
Do the Axioms take some getting used to in that regard? I'm by no means an audiophile, and most of the speakers I've owned previously were cheaper CSW models, Yamaha, or other cheaper end speakers. I was curious if anyone else had a similar experience with them, and how you like them now. I'm still on the fence about which ones to keep.
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,339
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,339 |
Welcome to the boards!
Hopefully the Axiom guru Alan will chime in.
Most Axiom owners will tell you that their speakers don't color the sound, just reproduce it faithfully.
The CSW T200s have 6 drivers as opposed to the 60's 4, so you will get more bass from the CSWs. Axiom's M80ti adds another tweeter and another midrange and give you more bass and more volume without coloring the sound. I've owned 60s and traded up to 80s.
When you said, "The Axioms stand out because of how unobtrusive the bass is, and almost how plain (in a good way) the music sounds.", you said everything an Axiom owner loves to hear. I listen to CDs with the mains only. For HT my EP500 shakes the house.
In the end, it's not what others think. It's what YOU hear!
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,424
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,424 |
If you had tried the Axiom M50's you would find them similiar to the CSW's when it comes to "warmth" The M50's are a little laid back and not as forward as say the M60's or M80's.
All are great speakers but you will have to decide if the forward sound is for you. I had the M80's and then went with the M50's and loved them, but like I said, it's up to you what sound you prefer. A more forward speaker or something that is a little more laid back.
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 562
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 562 |
In reply to:
In the end, it's not what others think. It's what YOU hear!
Welcome to the boards.
I have to agree with the above quote. I recently purchased m60's after testing many many brands at all price ranges. The most important thing is to learn what you like to hear. Your friends are not the ones to please.
I will add that your ears will adjust to the sound of your speakers somewhat but it is essential to know what you like. Don't buy just because one speaker is more accurate if you like a little more laid back sound. On the ohter hand don't but laid back if you really are looking for accuracy and neutrality just because your friends think it sounds better. It's very hard not to respond to that bassier laid back sound if that is all you have heard for years.
For what it is worth I love my 60's with or without my sub in the mix. Trust your ears and go with what you like!
oz
"Life is what happens while your busy making other plans" John Lennon
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236 |
From what you've said it sounds like you prefer the sound of the M60ti's, and your friends prefer the sound of the CSW's. Who are you buying them for?
Most towers (nearly all I've ever heard until you start getting into the $2000+ range) have very muddy sound in the upper-bass region. That deep mid-range/high-low range seems to be a real struggle for most tower speakers. In fact, before hearing the M60ti's, I was strongly in the "bookshelf speakers and a sub is better than towers" camp.
What you're hearing is likely in fact clean, un-distorted, tight bass, not less bass. From your post above it sounds like you prefer that sound already, and given a few days more listening, you'll likely grow to really dislike the loose sound of lesser speakers.
Ultimately it's your ears and your call though.
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11 |
The M60s are definitely growing on me, I was just curious if they had to grow on other people as well. As I said, I don't know anyone with a B&w system or anything else higher end, so they definitely sounded *different* at first.
I really like the way both speakers sound, and now I understand all the comments about a forward speaker vs. a laid back speaker. I think I'll play with them some more for the remainder of the trial before making a final decision, but I am already leaning towards the Axioms. The T200s definitely sounded more like speakers I was used too, and I think that's why I prefered their sound at first. I listen mostly to rock and alternative music, and not too much jazz or orchestral, so I still need to see which style better suits that kind of music.
And I still need to find a finish for the Axioms that matches the rest of my furniture I'm hoping the sorrel pear or warm cherrywood is darker than the pictures show them.
Thanks for all the help, and the quick feedback
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 202
local
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local
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 202 |
if bass you want...get a sub to supplement. that is what they are for anyways. as for clean sound...the m60ti's have definitely grown on me. i can not for th elife of me get them to clip, burp, fart, or do anything unnatural that i would not want to hear. i CAN get just about every other speaker i have own to do those things easily with more volume...subs are your friends...get a couple new friends...and then decide...also, the bass you hear outta the m60s is not less...but much more accurate and tighter than you are used to. warm speakers tend to be sloppy...but to the unfamiliar ear...they sound good....to the trained ear...they sound like a bloated toad croaking...interesting sound..but not what you want to take home with you night after night. :-P
i dunno where that came from !!!! ROTFL
Axiom M60Ti
Infinity 2000.6 x 4
Infinity RS1 rear
Infinity CC200
HSU VTF3 - MKII
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 157
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 157 |
I guess that I had a similar experience, Mully. The first few times that I listened to the m60's I thought I was missing a little bit of bass. I even considered getting a sub. After a few weeks though, I came to like the sound better and better the way it was. Recently I downloaded some songs from iTunes with lots of bass (mostly techno stuff) and realized that these speakers are capable of producing tremendous amounts of LFE when asked.
When I fill out my system to for home theater I'll get a sub, but until then I'm very happy with what I have.
M60's VP150 QS8's HSU STF-2 Onkyo TX-SR805 Audiobytes for the PC
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Mully, when I first got interested in audio stuff my ears were drawn to speakers that put out a lot of bass. Why? Because it was one thing that easily stood out to my untrained ears. I would say things like, "Whoa, those sound powerful." It wasn't until further into the game that I realized the important thing wasn't the amount of sound coming out of a speaker, but the quality. I find myself actually turning the level down on my sub when I listen to music. And to be honest, out in the living room I usually just run my bookshelves by themselves. My bedroom has the M40s and I keep inching them away from the wall trying to find an equable spot.
The main thing to remember is that speakers are a personal thing. Buy what you like and trust your ears. There's lots of free advice out there, but in the end you have to like what you hear. Good luck, and don't rush things.
You've done one thing right, so far--stopped by this forum!
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Question about comparing towers
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
>>My bedroom has the M40s and I keep inching them away from the wall trying to find an equable spot.
Aren't M40s just the perfect bedroom speakers ? Not quite big enough to seem out of place, but fantastic bass and very smooth clear sound. I run mine with about 18" between the back of the speaker and the wall... and 3-4 feet from the side walls. Any closer and I get too much bass... which is pretty impressive considering how small the woofer is.
Axiom seems to measure the outside of the basket while I'm used to measuring in the midpoint of the surround, so I would say the M3/M40 has 5-1/2" woofers and the M2/M22 has 4-1/2" woofers.
It's too bad Axiom discontinued them... they are brilliant music speakers but I guess if you already have a sub (ie an HT system) the M3s give you almost the same sound for less $$. Anyways, my M40s are cranked up high (go Kylie !!) and sounding great.
Last edited by bridgman; 10/15/05 05:18 AM.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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