Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Help from Black Oak Owners

Well, after reading a lot (both internet and on this website) I'm about to put an order in for M60s, VP150 and QS8s...will hold on the subwoofer purchase. My only issue now (since I'm not planning on returning them!) is color. I'm leaning toward the Black Oak finish as I think it would probably be the most versatile (e.g., with moves, different furnishings, etc.) but can't tell too much from the pictures on the web site.

I'd appreciate hearing from you Black Oak owners out there...what do you think of the finish and would you get it again or do something different. I'm aware of the custom finishes but again am thinking the black would be the most versatile long-term, and most likely to match other components (e.g., a sub) as well as "fade" into the room scenery.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Larry

Had I known the option existed, I would have got the piano finish. I got black oak because I need new furniture which I won't buy until I'm out of this house and into my own. I don't know what finish that furniture my have once I decide to buy it so I can't guarantee my speakers would match it in any finish other than black oak.

It looks like black dyed wood, just as it's supposed to, but I'd just prefer the elegance of the piano finish, personally.

I have the black, and I like the black. Wouldn't have it any other way unless it was real wood and I am too cheap for that.

Black up front seems to make sense, due to the predominance of black TVs, receivers, etc... I wish I had got my QS8s in American natural or one of the other light shades, though, so that they would blend in on the back wall (where nothing is black).

The Jim Beam warehouse burned up yesterday. I think Axiom can get all the black oak they want in Bardstown, KY...

I just got all of mine in boston cherry....I think I would rather have had black. I dont think I want to pay shipping to get black though. oh well.

Piano Gloss is great as long as you keep everything away from it. My paino gloss sub looks like someone has ran skates through it over the last 2 years. Its not as nice as once I got it. Also some areas has dullen a bit. All I had were books and magazines on it.

I think it was just a storage facility, not an aging one (where you'd find oak barrels), but I could be mistaken.

Thanks for the thoughts folks...black sounds like it's probably fine, most likely to stay "fashionable"...when I call to order I'll also ask about the Ebony finish...looks kind of interesting...probably too much to hope for but have any of you seen the Ebony finish? Looks kind of speckly on the screen...

Larry

when i ordered mine i knew from the get-go that i didnt want black. im just soo tired of the ugh. monotonous boring cheap black speaker look. I also knew that i didnt want to get a vinly wood veneer and say ugh. that doesnt even look anything like real wood. so i had axiom send me a sample of the boston cherry and i liked it and thats what i ordered. Id never trade em in for black, but a couple of the custom colors are intersting!

While I myself is completely happy with the vinyl finish (Boston Cherry) of my VP150 and QS8's, I now believe that Axiom should offer optional wood veneer finishes. I know more than a few people who almost bought the Axioms but decided against them solely because of the unavailability of a real wood finish. They were fully prepared to pay the premium.

Yup. I think I could talk my wife into paying the premium for wood. She doesn't like vinyl that much (although she's resigned herself to it for the Axioms, whenever I get them.)

My original order was for Boston Cherry.. The photo rendition on the net at that time showed it to be a very nice glowing red.. But when they arrived, it looked like old school walnut to me.. Back they went, replaced by black..
Lucky me, I had not yet ordered the M80's, or the return postage would have been something else !
As for the Yinyl vs Veneer, no worries.. The vinly looks great, even up close.. And you don't have to worry about it drying out over time, or waxing it, or polishing it.. Another problem with wood veneer is peeling and seperation.. Axiom has this vinyl process down pat, nothing is going to come lose..
With all the custom colors now available, you could not have picked a better time to order new speakers..

Mikey, under my bright flourescent basement bulbs, i've always thought that Boston Cherry looks rather red.
I have noticed that it seems to go more brownish under the glow of more typical incandescent bulbs.
I have no idea how they look in a room with strong sunlight.

Just my three cents.

There's some red to them, but they were just too close to the old walnut Sansui's I've had for years..(1971).. Since I missed the Everything Black craze of the 80's and 90's, its 'new' to me.. Besides, I'm still looking real hard at slapping some veneer sides on the M80's..

just got the black oak, because my girlfriend wanted that color. I am glad I did, looks great with the TV, and the stands.