Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Got Pioneer 72TXV - need to get speakers

I just bought the Pioneer 72TXV receiver and I'm trying to decide on the speakers. I am basically looking at Polks and Axioms.

Polks
F - RTi12
C - CSi5
S - FXi5
Sb- PSW505
($3000CAD tax in)

Axiom
F - M60 (would like M80 better but would need to add an amp)
C - VP150
S - QS8
Sb- EP500 (or maybe 350)
($3880CAD tax in)

I'm trying to make out what makes sense, what will complement my receiver better and to tell you the truth, I'm confused. There is a lot of info out there and it's mixed to say the least. I haven't listened to neither setup. Currently, I have Polks(lower grade package). My use would be 80%HT and 20%Music.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Can't comment on the Polk speakers but that Axiom lineup sure is nice. What size is your listening area?

It is a family room that opens into kitchen/dining area and separated by half wall. But the family room alone is 16x15 if I remember correctly.

I'm thinking that instead of concentrating on the speakers, I can look at the receiver and match the speakers. I would think that certain speakers sound better with certain receivers.

I do believe the speakers will probably have more to do with the outcome of your system than the receiver. I'd probably concentrate on them first, but that's me.

BrotherBob, I read his post the same way you did, but he already has the Pio 72TXV. So, though I could be wrong, I think he means that he feels he should concentrate on the receiver he has, and find speakers that will match up well with that receiver.

Falcon, if I'm correct about your meaning, there are two schools of thought about matching electronics and speakers, and you are free to believe whatever you wish.

One school feels there is little, if any, difference in the way electronics sound. They would say don't worry about matching speakers to the receiver. Pretty much any decent speaker, and both Axioms and Polks are decent speakers, should work with the Pioneer. You just have to figure out which speaker sounds better TO YOU.

The other school feels there are noticeable differences in the way electronics sound. I'll leave it to those in that school to tell you whether they feel Axioms or Polks would work better with your 72TXV.

Yes, that's right Jack. I have the receiver and I am trying to figure out thether polks will be a better fit to the receiver than axioms.

It is a tough one. Looking at the specs of each brand of speakers I have observed the following:

Fronts - RTi12 look to be better from strickly hardware perspective(3x7" subwoofers vs 2x6.5" on R60), midrange and tweeter appear to be similar.

Surrounds - FXi5 have 1x6.5" mid/woofer vs. 2x5.25" on QS8. Tweeter appear to be similar.

Center - CSi5 has 2x6.5" mid/woofer vs. 3x5.25 on VP150 and 1x1" tweeter vs. 2x1" on axioms.

Sub - slightly different technology.

So, here is my conclusion, RTi12s appear to be better all around fronts, center appears to be better on axioms, rears better on axioms, and sub better on axioms. This is strictly from hardware perspective and interpreted by me.

Here is another thing. Polks are all 8ohm speakers where as Axioms are 6ohm centre, 8ohm front, 6ohm rears. Even if I wanted to upgrade the fronts to M80 on axioms, they only come in 4ohm configuration.

The recommendation for the 72TXV is to use 8ohm speakers. There is a switch fro 6ohm, but as I have read, one shouldn't use it. The power is 130w x 7 in 8ohm with continous power output (20Hz-20kHz, 0.09%) and 160w x 7 in 6ohm with continous power output (1kHz, 1.0%).

Any ideas?

To compare the two setups, one would have to listen to each setup on my receiver and I don't think I can arrange that. Even then, I don't consider myself nowhere an expert and I'm not sure what to look for as far as playback.

As far as money is concerned, I can get the Polks for 2800 tax in, including speaker wire, vs 3880 for Axioms - thousand buck cheaper. Is it worth it?

I would appreciate if someone could give me some feedback.

This may be a bit out in left field, but the basic problem here is "what will my ears like"?

One thought, and only just a thought, would be to by a pair of M22s strictly for the 30 day trial period.

The M22s sound remarkably similar(less deep bass)to the M60s, so they would give you an idea of whether the Axioms are the "sound" of choice.

If you opt for the Axioms, at the end of the trial period you have the abillity(I believe)to have the M22s shipped back to Axiom for free in exchange for a higher priced speaker pair.

Shipping a pair of rejected M60s back would be somewhat pricy

I would be suprised if the Pioneer Elite 72TXV receiver couldn't handle the M80s.That's a really good receiver you have there.

As far as the Polks vs the Axioms, well I have only heard the Lsi series and prefer my M80s to them.Of course the sound of a certain speaker is a very subjective thing.

Buying the receiver was easy. This speaker shopping is becoming a headache. It consumes my time and work and at home - not healthy.

I wouldn't want to listen to something similar. I can't imagine and tell myself that I like the speaker and the one that I will buy will have more bass.

I currently have the M2600 HT package that I bought 4 years ago, or similar, from polk audio. It's not bad for the money.

Is there any negotiation on axioms?

I've read some reviews that axioms can be bright and as I understand that does not appeal to all people. Have to read a bit more about polks to see what people say about them. I think the problems is, as with a lot of other things, that there are so many choices, going even beyond those two brands and at different price points.

I feel that I invested in a really good receiver, now I want to get something as good for the sound. I don't want to spend all this money and in a year think that the speakers are not adequate.

Maybe I'm on the wrong forum, as you would think that most people here have axioms. It would always be nice to hear what people went through as far as selection and why they decided to go with their final pick.

I know that if I go to the HT store, the salespeople will suggest still other speakers and give me reasons why they are better.

Have you looked at this tread to see if there is someone close to you that you could audition some Axioms.

Thanks Rick, I just might do that.

Almost all of us that got axioms got them by taking a leap of faith. Faith that user and professional comments were acurate regarding the speakers. I was REAL nervous about getting a speaker that I had not heard but the recommendations for these speakers kind of overwhelmed me.

I started with M22's and ended up adding M60's and VP150. I have heard the Polk RT12's and on down at Fry's electronics. They actually had them setup in a well thought out descent sounding configuration. (Note: I have every thinkable big brand store near my house. . .Best Buy, Circuit City, Good Guys, Comp USA etc etc and never heard a set of speakers set up so they sound even descent. Not the case at this new Fry's though)

Anyway I was impressed with the sound of the polks but would pick my Axioms over them.

I think that you would likely be very pleased with either setup.

I also think that nearly everybody here is extremely happy and satisfied that they took the leap of faith with Axiom.

Regarding the subwoofer.

Axiom, Hsu, and SVS subs are going to far outperform a polk sub. There will be a very noticable increase in quality of bass. The sub truly is the peice that you want to invest the most into because it makes the most difference in the overall sound of the system. . .especially in home theater. So don't be afraid to go big on the sub. I have heard of nobody that gets one of the higher end subs from these three brands go . . . man I wish I didn't get that sub. They are awesome and really impressive. They make you grin heavily.

Just one guys opinion

Many of us know what it is like to spend WAY to much time researching speakers and audio components.

Just look at us, we sit here and still spend a bunch of time after we bought our speakers researching and talking about speakers etc. Call it a disease. We all need help. But you should here our systems!

Oh yah.

And don't forget about Axiom Factory outlet -10% and five item discount 5% bringing a total possible discount to 15%.

that's quite a nice chunk out of the total you mentioned

$3298 with Axioms and EP500

Thank you sssutherland for such a detailed response. Yes, I think going with either system should give me a fine system. In the end, I think the price will be the deciding factor. For now, polks are over 1,000 cheaper than the axioms. Now, if I consider changing/upgrading the sub, the price difference might not be as large. I've heard some mention Hsu and SVS subs and that they are supposed to be real good.

What subs would you recommend from the three companies? From axiom, would you look at the EP500 or 350? What about Hsu and SVS?

Thank you.

A couple of comments :

1. Definitely take the subwoofers out of the equation when comparing prices. Matching the mains, center and surrounds is important but there isn't much need to get sub and other speakers from the same vendor other than matching finish, although matching the finish IS often important if you are putting the system in a dual-purpose room rather than a dedicated HT room.

2. The Polk and Axiom subs you chose aren't in the same league -- from eyeballing the specs I think even the EP350 would be more than a match for the Polk 505.\