Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Polk vs. Axiom

I would like to know how the M60ti would compare to the Polk m70. I never herd of this company before .

John

minicone: my friend, I'm afraid that you have gone into the hen house and asked the fox how many chickens there are. LOL!!!

Sure, the Axiom speakers are good speakers, just like many others but that doesn't answer your question.

The best advice that I could give is see if you can audition some at a "friends" house somewhere near you.

If that won't work, you could always purchase a set and if you don't like them, return them.

Best of luck and a very Happy New Year!!!

Polk Monitor 70 sound more like M80s than M60s. Both have 6 1/2 inch drivers, but M80s have 2 6.5s, 2 5.5s, and 2 tweeters. I auditioned Polks before ordering my Axioms. I got the Axioms on the 30-day trial. Listening at home made the difference.

On that note, M60's sound very similar to M80's, it is just 80's can play insanely louder.

I love my M60's and preferred them over the Polk 70's, but they are both good speakers...

Hi,

I have a Yamaha RX V2600 receiver and I am using a vintage Polk RM 7300v (1997) 5.1 setup, I want to setup a 7.1 configuration and I need to add a new set of main speakers to my system to make a 7.1 system.

I would like to find a matched pair sonically, imaging etc.
or start upgrading a little at a time.

What do you think?

John

Any comments on m50ti Axiom and the polk m50's?

John

Some others will most likely jump in here...Personally, I have not spent a lot of time with Polks. The Axiom 50's have been called slightly more laid back than the 60's. The Axiom 60's and 80's are very detailed and neutral in my opinion. They will faithfully reproduce the CD/DVD your listening to, that being said, if your CD was recorded poorly, the Axioms may recreate those flaws. However, good recordings sound fabulous. Some speakers that are really laid back will hide/muffle these flaws. For me I wanted speakers that accurately portrayed what I was listening to, not cover it up.

Where do you live John? Have you checked the Axiom "Audition" thread at the top of the "Hearing Things" forum. There may be someone on the map or list willing to let you have a listen in their home.

Randy

Might I suggest that the M series isn't Polk's top of the line speaker. Whereas, the M60 is compared with some well regarded offerings, such as the Paradigm reference line and the B&W 700 series. I don't know for sure, since I haven't heard them, but I believe you'd have to look at Polk's RTI or even their LSI's to compete with Axiom's M60s.

Hi All,

I want to thank you for all your input and I plan on purchasing the m60 and a center channel and pick up the rest at a little at a time.

Thanks again and Happy New Year.

John

Check out the Factory Outlet link on the "Store" page above. You will save 10% and they are still brand new speakers...

Mincone, you'll almost certainly be pleased with your choice. By the sonic transitive property (which doesn't exist) I can tell you the following:

My Polk RTi8s sound very much (in terms of musical detail, timbre, etc.) like my Axiom M22s - except bigger with deeper bass extension which to be expected because they are not bookshelf speakers like the M22s.

The M22s are the same family of speakers as the M60 - only the M60s reportedly sound sound bigger with deeper bass extension...

When the Circuit City near me changed from the RTis to the Monitor series I listened to them and agreed with the sales guy (a quality reliable guy - a real rarity) that the Monitor series does not sound as good as the RTi series...

Therefore the M60 is approximately equal to the RTi8, both of which are better than the Monitor 70.

The truth is that both Polk and Axiom are both headed by quality people who care about sound and make good products at fair prices. I suspect you get a little more for your money from Axiom because they sell direct...

I would love to hear from someone who has done a direct comparison of the RTis to the Axiom M60s (I'd put my money on Axiom)

Ditto for the Polk CSi5 center and the Axiom centers (I'd put my money on Polk).

Hi Foghorn,

You have both Polk and Axiom speakers? could you do a direct line out the speakers? (bypass all tones)If so could you tell me who has the better low end and second could you compare both speakers (norm) with the sub off if you have one in your system, and then again who has the better lows?

I'm not used to listening to towers, I think the old floor box speaker has a better low end sound without a sub.

Thanks,

John

Post deleted by bridgman

How does the Axiom m60ti sound without a sub in a system?

For music, I find the M60s just about right, ie I prefer listening to M60s on their own without a sub and I wouldn't want the bass pumped up any more. For movies, it's no contest... the M60s won't go deep enough (nor will any other conventional tower speaker) to replace a good subwoofer.

Are there any other brands that have a good balance of highs and lows in a tower?

This is where all the arguments start. In general, it seems like the higher end models from all the major mfgs are better balanced, while the lower priced models tend to have bumped up bass and treble because that is what sells.

Paradigm Reference (eg. Studio 20/40/60/100), Energy Veritas and B&W 700s are all more neutral sounding (better balanced) than the next level down from each (Paradigm Monitors, Energy Connoisseurs, B&W 600s) although from what I remember the Connoisseurs (eg. C3, C5, C7 etc..) were pretty neutral as well.

Mincone, I could (and should at some point) compare them directly but it would not be a fair comparison and would not answer the question you are really asking. The RTi8 is rated (+/- 3 dB) down to 40 Hz (just like the Monitor 70) as it is a floorstander while the M22 is a bookshelf rated only to 60 Hz so the RTi8 will have a better low end than the M22 just like the M60 (37 Hz) will have a better low end than the M22. Many people here find their M60s very enjoyable for music without a sub and I suspect you would, too. Although I haven't personally heard it, based on my experience with the M22 I feel confident saying that the M60 is an excellent speaker. I wish I could compare it to the RTi8 to answer your question, but alas...

If the low end sound coming from the main speaker means that much to you, look at the M80 (34 Hz).

Even though my m60's have plenty of low bass, I still use a crossover setting of 60 or 80hz and let the sub play the low freq. effects. That wouls be the case with most floorstanding speakers. There is a lot of music with very low bass, without a sub you don't get the same experience or blend, that is just my opinion.

I have a question for all, I am thinking of getting the m60ti speakers and the 150 center and thinking of getting the sub and surrounds at a later time. With new models coming out would I be able to purchase them at a latter time?

I can't imagine that they will be changing the QS8s (or at least the tonal quality of the line) any time soon. Subs, well, any good sub will do. You don't exactly need to match those in the same way you do the other speakers.

I agree with Ken, the Qs8's are one of Axiom's biggest sellers, they truely are a one-of-a-kind surround speaker in the industry.

To all that have been viewing and making comments to this thread, I have a question to ask you before I consider to place an order.
I am willing to purchase the Epic 60-500 7.1, $3263, that is really more than I want to spend and I understand that Axiom are high end speakers but do you think that if I spoke to a sales rep and ask him if I was not pleased with the system would Axiom split the cost for the return shipping, I don't want to spend close to $200 or more to return the speakers if I'm not going to keep them.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

John

I would order the towers first. If you are not happy with the sound of the towers, you have much less to return.

Well, you could just order the M60s to see how you like them. If you do, you could order the rest and still get the package discount. Call Axiom and ask.

Thanks, your correct, I will place an order for the m60 and the 150 center speaker.

Thank you for your help.

John

I do believe you can get the package discount retro active should you go gaga over the M60s (and you probably will ).

I would also order from the factory outlet to save the additional 10%.

Hey John, just curious, how big is your room? I have 7.1 but my room is huge....

John, since the M60s will form a "phantom" center which can at least temporarily be used instead of an actual center speaker, my suggestion would be to get M60s and QS surrounds first, rather than the VP150. The QSs are likely to be a greater benefit, both for music and movies, than a center speaker would be.

Hi All,

I wanted to let all know that I have placed a order for the m60's and the 150.

Thanks all,

John

Great purchase. Let us know how they sound.

Guys look at this auction at ebay, do you think this is bull? at this price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5847876120&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Link Police


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5847876120&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Why would it be bull? Lots of people sell used Axiom speakers on Ebay. With 21hrs left, I'm sure it will go higher. One thing about Ebay, and JINX has found that out, is that the warranty is not transferable and Axiom won't let you upgrade if your not the original owner. Also, in most cases the prices on Ebay are about the same as if you bought from the Factory Outlet directly from Axiom (brand new with warranty).

Randy

Yep. Note that it is actually an Epic 60/350 not 500, despite the title of the post. Shipping is $300 extra, so we're at $1325 already vs. new from the FO at ~$1950. As Randy said, the price will probably go higher right before the auction closes.

If it were a 60/500 and shipping wasn't 300 extra we would probably be all over it

Wow, I didn't even catch that 350/500 bait and switch tactic. I see the seller had to edit his original auction, talk about misleading.

Yeah... there are good deals out there but mostly for things nobody else would be interested in. Parts for a Hodaka Combat Wombat -- surprisingly cheap, wish I had kept mine. Home Theater stuff -- not cheap

I was keeping a casual eye on that system as it was pointed out to me via a PM that it was close to me. And it is...about 25 mins. The primary interest was in the 500... I didn't even see that he had changed the description to the 350.

I'm still curious how high it will go, though I've lost interest if it wasn't the 500.

Good thing you guys caught the 500/350 thing. I was already calculating fuel costs to NH in my truck.

Did you stop calculating when you reached "a buttload"?

Did someone say buttload?


The one and only Jennifer Lopez.

That ebay auction is now at $1,403.00 with 52 min. to go. Add in $300 shipping and your nearly at Factory outlet pricing...but without a gold standard warranty from Axiom. Might be a good buy for a local pickup though.

Is that our mincone with the high bid?

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Is that our mincone with the high bid?

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I think it is. And it looks like he didn't make the highest bid afterall. Sorry about that mincone. I think you are better off sticking with Axiom's warranty and service anyway, just in case something happens to your speakers. Plus you get a 30 day trial to see if you like them.

I agree, not sure why anybody would pay 1500+ bucks for used, when you can get everything brand new with 5 yr. warranty for around $1870 (FO pricing - 10% - 5%).

Oh well...

Well... just playing devil's advocate, that $370 would pay for quite a few tweeters. Assuming the amp in the sub isn't fried, it is still a good deal.

Hi All,

Yes that was me on eBay and I was quite releved that I did not win the auction because of no warranty or return policy. However I placed an order at Axiom for the M60 500 7.1 it will arrive on Monday, I can't wait.

I have a new question for all,

The Yamaha RX V2600 receiver as far as I know has a 6 or 8 ohm speaker load I'm not sure if it has a 4 ohm load setting, does anybody know? And For three hundred more perhaps I should look at the M80 for mains?

Please tell me what you think.

John

First of all you want to leave the Yammy on the 8ohm setting, if there is a switch on the back for 6 ohm, don't change it. In regards to the M80's, there have been some in the past that have had issues with certain Yammy models going into protection mode after playing for sometime because they get to hot driving 4 ohm speakers.

Not sure about the 2600, you could call Yamaha. The Denon's and HK's have no problem driving m80's because of their overbuilt interior guts.

I can tell you there is nothing wrong with M60's man, they play plenty loud, and my room is almost 900 sq ft. The m60's and m80's have a very similar sound, the m80's just play to more insane volume levels. You may not need the m80's. How big is your room and what are your plans for the speakers, music or HT, and how loud?

Unless you have a huge room I doubt you'll need to get the M80ti's over the M60ti. Better to save that money for something else with your system such as a nice sub. I got the M60ti and they go extremely loud and clear.

I own the RX-V2500 btw.

In reply to:

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And For three hundred more perhaps I should look at the M80 for mains?

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Is your budget an issue? Will you have upgraditis?

The 80s sound very good at low volume as well. And you can crank them up when you're in another room.

You going to love the 500!

Hi All,

I'm going to stay with the M60, I think this the best setup for me for now and for thr future.

Thanks,

John

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know that I received the M60ti 500 7.1 system, and all I can say is WOW … these speakers sound good flat I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like when I calibrate the receiver.

Question,

What is the better way to setup the receiver Auto (MIC) or Manual? Or just set to the default settings.

Thanks,

John

ps, does anyone know how to reset to factory defaults for the Yamaha RX V2600?

On my Denon I found the Auto Setup which sets the speaker levels, delay, and polarity check did a pretty good job. I did make some small adjustments once I got my SPL meter.

My Denon also has an option for Room EQ, which is a built in equilizer that takes the Auto Setup results and adjusts 8 frequencies to your room. I have found it made my 60's sound worse, so I don't use the EQ part.

I've also found that I've needed to bump up my Sub and Center levels a bit from the mic AND spl calibrations. To start follow the pamphlet for your 500 on starting volume/crossover/phase/etc... Turn the sub on bypass as most likely you will control your crossover from the receiver. Also, put the sub volume on about the 6-7 o'clock position to start. I have a large room and I think I have mine on about 7-8 o'clock and the receiver on -2dB's for the sub.