Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom M60/VP150/QS8 vs B&W 600 series for HT?

I've posted several times recently... as I am "about" to buy a setup, and I'm pretty much settled on the Axiom Epic 60/500 setup, in 5.1 config.

The only other serious option (and it is second place) is a setup with the B&W 600 series speakers, 603 mains, LCR 600 center, DS6 surrounds, and still the Axiom EP500 sub. (Not interested in any B&W subs... EP500 seems the way to go, with SVS in second.)

Does anyone have any direct comparison info to share on Axiom M60s/VP150/QS8s vs B&W 600s3, LCR600s3, DS6s3? Obviously, seeing as this is the Axiom forum... I'm expecting pro-Axiom responses (and again... I'm strongly leaning toward Axiom), but I'm hoping someone might have had the opportunity to try both out. I'm sure the B&Ws are pretty darn good as well as the Axioms.

One of the main benefits to the B&W, honestly... is a lame one. The physical aspects of the floorstanders are better for my setup. They are moderately smaller (2" shorter, 1.25" narrower, and 3" shallower), and the port is on the front. I won't be getting much, if any, wall separation on the floorstanders, and I think the front ports and slightly shallower size would be helpful.

Also... I like the DS6s switchable monopole/dipole configuration, but there are almost NO reviews on those speakers, and obviously the QS8 is very highly regarded.

Unfortunately, my local B&W retailer (who doesn't have a full setup in stock) isn't in the position to let me demo a 5.1 setup for a month, unlike Axiom (though I don't intend on shipping back a full system), so I'm looking for any info anyone might have.

Anyway, hoping someone either has some personal experience, or knows of some reviews that I somehow missed comparing any of the B&W 600s3 speakers to Axioms.

(And I did try the search function on the forums prior to posting... either I don't know what I'm doing, or the search function stinks, or no one has really covered this topic here.)

Thanks in advance.

Mark,
I used to own a pair of B&W 602s3 bookshelves. I auditioned some different brands and in the store they seemed to be the one that was made for me. But, alas, they turned out to be nothing more than a detour in my search for a HT. They were the reason that I mostly gave up on B&M brands and started looking at internet brands. At the time I was running a low end Yamaha receiver, the kind that is a terrible match for a watt hungry speaker. I ended up ordering a pair of M22s the same day I took the 602s back to the store. The difference was night and day. There always the possibility that I would have been happy with the B&Ws if I had given them the amperage that they craved, but I wasn't in the mood to dig that deep into my credit card's pocket, so I returned them and gave Axiom a blind home audition. I have heard the B&W 603s3 and I was even offered a demo pair at quite a discount, but I turned that down. If your planning on driving your speakers with a middle of the road AVR, I would suggest that the M60s will outclass the 603s by more than a bit. I have recently considered purchasing some small tower speakers and I have auditioned the B&W 603s against the PSB image series and even there I think the B&W 600 series loses. If you have the room for them, the Axiom M60s will stun you when it comes to their performance. And you won't have to worry about having the right electronics to drive them, either.

Axioms are a winner compared to B&W 603s, however a little different story with 703s, but you have to pay much more money.

Hello Neighbor,

I always forget the search function by default only goes back one week. That may be good for the database server but it makes for poor searches. When I finally remember, I set my searches back the entire 5 years, and usually get better results.

I'm hoping my brother orders some M60's, I have M22's which are fine though. If I was to upgrade my own stuff I would get me a EP350 or EP500.

Randy

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(And I did try the search function on the forums prior to posting... either I don't know what I'm doing, or the search function stinks, or no one has really covered this topic here.)

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The B&W 703's, which are much better than the 600 series, were one of my finalists as well as Axiom 60's when I was auditioning 2 years ago. I think the 60's and 703's are very similar. The 60's are much better than the 600 series. When price was considered the answer was simple.. Now I've upgraded to 80's