Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Axiom CT-60 floor standing speakers

Per Alan (this quote was from Feb 2005)

"The CT speakers were a lower-priced Axiom line (no longer manufactured) sold to some Canadian Axiom retailers when Axiom had an extensive Canadian retail network (no longer).

They are quite good value but not in the same league as the Axiom's current premium line. Different drivers, etc. They are similar in sound quality to the Merak line that Axiom built for Radio Shack Canada. But they are NOT comparable in neutrality, transparency and linearity to the current Axiom models.

Regards,
_________________________
Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert "

Excellent find, Sir Quack. Also very informative about Axiom's past for the newer members such as myself (Radio Shack connection??). Not particularly flattering for the CT-series...

Hey Adrian,

I think you did well! Great price, especially if you liked the sound of them. You've got a good entry level audiophile system there! The sub will really help out as well. Very good deals! Enjoy!

Zoë

I have a bunch of Axiom speakers, M2s, M3s, M50s. I also have a bunch of the Michaura speakers, the M22-like M55s, M50-like M66s and the M60-like M665s. I love my Axioms, especially the M3s, but I've pretty much swapped out the Axioms for their Michaura counterparts. I've 'operated' on some of the M55s - upgraded the caps in the M55s to Jensen paper/oils, the resistors with Caddocks, love 'em!

First I swapped out my beloved M3Tis in my 5 wpc Tube SET triode system with a pair of massaged M55s, back and forth, back and forth - came to rest with the M55s. I think a pair of M55s atop a pair of M3s might be a perfect speaker combo. Have to try that some day. I then swapped the M55s for the M66s, which use 2x6.5" Axiom aluminum drivers and the 3/4" titanium tweeter from the Merak, old M-zero, M2ti lines. I didn't have to switch back and forth between the M66s and the M50s, fell in love with the M66s. The M66s and the SET amp are an incredible match. Talk about a wall of glorious music ... this makes it.

The M60-like M665s are in my office HT system, a pair of supertweets on top of them, a Merak Frankenspeaker center (Axiom made Merak cabinet upgraded with 2x6.5" axiom aluminum drivers, Reference 3a de capo tweeter with a modified reference 3a cross-over for the tweeter), a Dahlquist PDQ1500 15" sub, a pair of Mission DS77 surround speakers. Most of the time I have the Motorola DCH3416 HDMI hidef dvr cable box feeding audio by optical cable to a Sony TAE9000ES processor (love that thing!) driven by an Anthem PVA5 5 channel amp.

Sound quality? Glorious!

Although I have a bunch more M55s in storage, I'll set up another 2 channel tube stereo system with my M3Tis, the mid bass of the M3s is superior to the M55s, but the M55s' upper mids and highs are superior, at least to my ears.

The finish on the Michauras is simply beautiful - rosewood, the cabinets are hex shaped (I think that's part of their magic) and they are SOLID.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a few words on some of my favorite speakers.

Hey 2x6spds!

I actually saw photos of your Michauras on Audio Asylum when I was trying to decide to grab the ones I ended up getting. I paid $170 plus shipping for both pairs, which is a total steal in my opinion, given the sound right out of the gate - even with their UBid history. I'm not a tweaker like you, but sounds like you've really made them sing!

I've got the M55s on an office system hooked to an extra Luxman L210 amp (I also use this sleeper amp on my main system). I was really blown away by the sound considering the size and price. I haven't heard any other Axioms but by M60s, but I did audition many bookshelf speakers a couple of years ago when I was in search of a smaller pair. Nothing had the kind of clarity I wanted in a small box - except these, but they lacked bass. The M55s have that same B&W driver clarity, but are warmer on the low end. If I had more space in the office I'd put a powered subwoofer on them and I'm sure they would blow my mind!

I plan on using the M66s in a home theatre set-up some day. I'll keep the Axiom M60s as my mains and maybe use the Michaura M66s as surrounds. We'll see, I might swap them into the office instead.

Oh, and I took some pictures of all my M60s when I got them, and then added the Michauras. I got the Michauras a week after the M60s in High Gloss Cherry. They are all an exact match! Amazing luck there!

Enjoy!

Zoë

Holy Samolies ZG, those Michauras are beautiful.

I used the M66s as surround speakers for a while, but I have to tell you that application is a total waste of talent. The M66s are a perfect match with SET tube amp.

Both the M55s and the M66s are easy to match with a sub and the effect is a WALL OF MUSIC which extends far beyond the speakers, far above them and even far behind them.

I used both in solid state HT systems (the M55s are great surround speakers) but where they really shine is in a good 2.1 channel stereo music system. I can speak from experience when I say that these speakers are a perfect match for the Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT integrated tube amp (5wpc in triode mode)

The M66s are rare! You made a great score when you snagged them. I've been looking for a second pair for a long time for a friend.

BTW, Luxman made some terrific equipment ... including some excellent tube amplifiers. All I can say is hold on to those Michauras, they punch WAY above their price.

I've heard some really fancy tube set ups with component prices in the $15,000-$25,000 range (amp plus speakers), and I can tell you without hesitation that the M66s + the ASL amp, and a fast Velodyne subwoofer sound better, not just as good, but clearly better. I've also used a Klipsch LF10 sub, a Vance Dickerson Titanic 12", Velodyne CHT10, and they all match easily with the M66s or M55s. For stereo service, I like to keep the M55s or M66s low and tilted upward. BTW, the M55s are also super in a 2 channel SET system.

G'luck and enjoy the music!!

Thanks everybody for your help and for the advices regarding my low-end Axioms CT-60 recently got! Thanks for subwoofer advices, too! I am pretty sure that I am going to look for some better speakers shortly. For sure they’ll be Axioms. Compared to my Infinity Reference 50 I already have, they sound very clear (especially at low volume), but they lack a little bit of bass. That’s why I decided to add a subwoofer (especially for movies). I found a Paradigm PS-1000 for $125. I thought it was a good deal so, I got it. The bass is really powerful and strong (good to use for demolitions). I don’t think I will use it a lot for music, but for movies. Thanks to JC @ Axiom customers support I got the specs for CT series.
Here they are:
Custom Home theater System 60 Specifications

Specs CT60 CT6 CTC20 CTS120
Enclosure: Reflex Reflex Reflex Reflex
Max Amp Power: 150W 150W 150 W 150 W
FreqResp +/-3db(Hz):40-22K 45-22K 70-22K 30-120K
Impedance (Ohms): 8 8 8
Room Sens 1w/1m(db): 92 89 92
Woofer: Dual 6.5 " 6.5" Dual 5.25" 12"
Tweeter: 3/4"titanium 3/4 "titanium 3/4"
Dimens. (H W D):34 x 7.8x 11.7" 13 x 8 x 10" 6.5x15x6.5 14.5x14.5x15
Weight (per unit) 32 lbs 12.5 lbs 7 lbs 21 lbs



Adrian

Hey as long as you are getting some enjoyment from them then they were a good deal, enjoy.

Hey 2x6spds!

Thanks for the response! I forgot to point out that one of the M66s has some damage to the silver (aluminum) part of one of the woofers - you can see it in the photos. I can't hear any distortion from it, so I haven't bothered to try to replace it. From what I can tell it is the same as the ones that Axiom still uses, so if I ever hear something harsh from it I'll call Axiom about buying a replacement.

For the super small price I snagged them for, I will be holding on to them for a good long time, that's for sure. I'd rather just put them in storage before selling them. Such great sound for such a cheap price. I hope to own a house some day, so the goal would be to have a nice sounding stereo in many many rooms. I'll get use out of all of my speakers, I'm sure - and then some!

Good to know about tipping the M66s and M55s up. I'll try that.

I use my Axiom M60s with a great 50 year old Scott 222C tube amp. Can't tell you how wonderful sounding they are! Since the Michaura's are such a close match - yes, different sounding but still excellent - I don't doubt they would really sing with tubes as well. I'll give them a try some day.

Enjoy the great sounds!

Zoë

Ola ZG

I love the old HH Scott tube equipment! I have a beautiful champagne faced tube Scott stereo AM/FM tuner which I use as one of the sources for my ASL MGS1 15DT tube integrated amp.

I have my eye on some Scott amps and receivers. Thinking of snagging an upgraded unit from Mapleshade Audio ( they make my favorite speaker cables - keep the laughter down out there in the peanut gallery!) They also sell upgraded Scott tube components and receivers.

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/tubegear_hub.php

Your idea for your house ... I think it's great. Wonderful sound in every room, and not from some single, multi zone, sand amp driving ceiling speakers!