Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Highs of the M80ti's

Hi all,

Just wanted to see if anyone here has the answer to something I came across. I auditioned the M80ti's which were paired the HK AVR-525. Overall I was really impressed with these speakers. However, at times it seemed the treble was a bit on the bright side. This could be due to the receiver's speaker setting, which was set for "FAR". My understanding is that this setting is really used for large rooms or when your listening position is at a good distance (I was only about 5-6 feet from the speakers).

Can anyone please clarify this as I am considering purchasing these speakers. I'm currently comparing them with Monitor Audio's Silver Series (a lot like the Axiom's - detailed, dynamic and forward sounding) and KEF's Q-Series (more laid back).

The M80s can be modified with resistors from Axiom that reduce some of that brightness. You also might want to consider the M60s.

The AVR-525 owners here will jump in to explain what the heck the FAR setting does to the sound.

But I would immediately say that 5-6 ft is awefully too close to appreciate the real tonal balance of the M80's.

Would the M80's be brighter than the M60's simply because it has an extra tweeter? The owner had a friend over that was very familiar with HK's line. They explained that it could have been the "FAR" setting and how close I was to the speakers with this setting. I do hope that this was the case because if I do decide to go with Axiom's, I would rather go big now than regret buying the M60's later.

The owner will do a special set-up for me which will closely resemble my listening area now. I just have to try and give him advanced notice. I will try to get him to pair the M80's with Pioneer's Elite line which he has on the floor (another receiver I'm considering besides Rotel and Denon).

Aero, first I agree that 5-6 feet is too close for M80s. Next, the near/far setting on the 525 is for setting up a pseudo-surround effect when only the two front speakers are being used. Whether you like it or not, it shouldn't be used when you're trying to judge the basic tonal qualities of a speaker. V-Max should be left off in such a case.

I don't think anyone here has ever bought the M60's and regretted it. Am I wrong?

According to Ian's own explanation that has been cited numerous times in the forum, the M80 is sonically very similar to the M60, except that it plays louder. The two tweeters and midrange drivers help to achieve higher power handling and lower distortion at high sound levels. They do not make the M80 brighter.

Re: regretting the M60's- not I, that's for sure. The 80's would be overkill for me, which was very apparent as soon as I hooked up the 60's to my system. The 80's need a big room to play in.

Can you guys please tell me roughly what size your rooms are where you are using the M60's? Is there anyone here using the M80's in a room where the M60's would be enough for the task?

I have my 60's in a 13 X 23 room. They are approximately 10' away.

I use my M80's in my room which measures roughly 16x13x9 Too much? Nah! im sure the M60's would have been more than enough for my room but for me its like. im spending x amount if i spend x amount more i can get the one i really want.

and my ears are about 9 feet away and ive got them 8 feet apart toed in. Probbly not the optimal setup but room constraints dont let me do what i want.

I have the M60s in a 13 x 22 room and sit 9 feet from them. They more than fill the room with sound.

Hey Haoleb,

My listening area is about the same size as yours if not slightly lower in height. My thoughts are the same with the M80's. Why not spend a little more and buy the one I really want (of course pending final decision on brand - looking good so far though). How do you find the sound stage with HT and music? I'm probably going for the 2nd audition tomorrow!!

My M60s, which recently replaced some M22s, fill the 12'W x 28'L x 7.5'H room in my basement with ease and I sit about 15' from them. I'm driving them with the Denon 3803.

By the way, back to your original post where you are comparing the Axioms to Monitor Silver series. When I was shopping for speakers, the Monitor Silvers essentially wound up being my personal 'reference' speakers to which I was comparing the others I was reviewing (Paradigm, M&K, B&W, Energy, Klipsch, JMLabs, etc.). I was trying to find something similar in sound in the sub $2000 price range but couldn't. The closest I could come was the JMLabs Chorus? line. Of course, I was almost never able to listen to any two sets of speakers in the same room, so there may have been too many other variables clouding my experiences. I hadn't auditioned the Axioms prior to receiving them and went with them based on descriptions of their sound from message boards and magazine reviews. It came down to the JMLabs vs. Axioms. I think I like the JMLabs center channel a little better (from what I can remember) but JMLabs rear surrounds can't hold a candle to the QS8s. I think my M60s are about as good if not better than the Silvers and, of course, beat them handidly on price. Of course, I haven't gone back to listen to the Silvers again since getting my M60s.

I dont use mine for HT, strictly music. But i think the soundstage is pretty good.Where my chair is at now the sweet spot isint as big as if i move my chair back a foot but i just cant do that! I guess i dunno what to say. I think the sounstage is pretty good. If i had a bigger room im sure it would be better but since ive got what i have its good enough.

Hi all,

I thought I'd post this here too so that I can share my impressions after comparing the M80's and M60's.

I got a chance to go back for a second audition of the Axiom speakers. This time around I had a side by side comparison test of their M80 and M60. I had asked them in advance if they could set these 2 up for me. They were hooked up to the Pioneer Elite VSX-49TX. All I can say is amazing!! Here are my impressions.

M80

First I will start with the M80. Even with no toe-in, the imaging was excellent. These were very detailed and dynamic. The sound was very crisp and clean, forward sounding, with a pretty wide sound stage. I was able to hear things I had never heard before. At least something that I could now discern what type of instrument it was. One song I was listening to, I was able to hear maracas (like coconut shells with beans or pebbles inside - best way I could describe them) that I couldn't distinguish before. It even sounded like it was coming from the right of the right speaker at about 2 o'clock (position). The bass was tight and focused.

M60

The M60 was still good but not as detailed as the M80. I'm only guessing but this could be due to the M80's having dual tweeters and dual midrange drivers. An example of this was that I wasn't able to hear the maracas with as great detail as I was able to with the M80's. They didn't sound as distinguished and seemed to just blend in with everything else. The bass from the M60's wasn't as tight and seemed to get boomy at times, especially when I played some hip-hop. I'm not sure if this was due to the fact that they were situated right beside the M80's. Though the M80's didn't sound this way even with the M60's right beside it.

Verdict

I enjoyed the M80's tremendously. My earlier concern of them being too bright has been expelled. I believe my earlier impression was due to the set-up and the setting of the HK AVR525 (far). This time around I had asked them to set them up in a different part of their store which more closely resembled my room at home. I've been luckier than most to be able to compare these two speakers side by side. Understandably most are not able to do this because they'd have to order both online.

Most people choose Axiom's as their speakers because they enjoy detailed, dynamic, crisp, clean and forward sound as I do. I've found that most here have chosen to go with the M60's instead of M80's. Many of you have said that they're essentially the same speaker with the exception that the M80's can go louder and lower. My findings have taught me otherwise. I found the M80's were able to reveal things in more detail that the M60's weren't able to. Those of you who think you get detailed sound now with the M60's, would be very delightfully surprised how much more detail you'd get with the M80's. I would definitely get the M80's.

Wow...thanks for the side-by-side comparison. I still love my M60's.

Hey spiffnme,

No problem at all. Thanks for encouraging me to try these speakers out. I'm very glad I did. Now I know that all of you love your M60's, but aren't you at least a bit curious how much better it would be with the M80's?

I just can't spend any more money on speakers. Yes, of course I'm curious! But I'm really happy with the M60's and need to be saving for a new TV!

TV??? You mean, a display device, right?

MIRA: Moving Image Reproduction Device

Hmm. It sorta works, since MIRA translates to 'look' or 'sight' in Spanish.

Hey spiffnme,

Totally understood. Just teasing you my friend. What kind of display do you have now?

You're always welcome down at my place to take an ear full of the M80's - just give me some warning, I want to make sure my house isnt a war zone... Being single and all... the house doesnt get much attention

an old 32" JVC. No HDTV, no composite inputs...bleck.