Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M22/VP150 is good but less treble detail

No I did not carry an SPL meter with me to the audition at the Home Theater. The volumes were = since this is a strict A vs B vs C test. They have a very good switcher at the Home Theater store.

I did call the Axiom and they recommended the M60 instead of M80 due to my receiver Onkyo 805.

Will the 2 tweeter on the M80 vs the one on M60 provides better/clearer treble?

Also did some research on Dynaudio, several posting have given rave reviews on their soft dome tweeter.

I am really not bashing the M22. For the price point they cannot be beat. I am happy the mid and low range. Dynaudio is better at the treble level (but note this is not night vs day). The physical appearance of the M22 is much more appealling (the cherry gloss finish matches my decor very well).

The M80s have a more forward presentation, the mids and upper range are more pronounced than the M60 at lower volumes. Once you crank up the volume on the M60s they sound almost identical to the M80s, at least that was my experience with the M60/M80 when I had them both.

Others on here have run M80s with Onkyo and haven't had problems, just depends on how long and loud you listen. I think Axiom shys away from them just to cover themselves if someone has a problem, as Onkyo's reportedly have had power supply issues in the past.

You should check the audition area in the Water Cooler forum to see if anyone around you has the M80s for a good comparison.

I think his point was that since one speaker creates less resistance than the other electrically, that it would appear slightly louder than the other if you don't move the volume dial to compensate.

Since it has been shown that in A/B tests people tend to always prefer the louder speaker, a "Strict" A/B test would have to include calibrating both sets of speakers so they play at the same volumes to make it fair.

That being said. The best choice is always whatever makes you feel the best within your budget. Enjoy!

I've been looking at the only graphs I can find for Dynaudio and they show a graph of their tweeter vs. a metal dome tweeter but the 2 graphs are not setup equally, the Dynaudio tweeter is only run to about 84 db while they run the metal tweeter up to 95db so of course it will show the Dynaudio to be a smoother graph they are not working it as hard.

Makes me wonder a little about a company that does things like that.

And yes Murph that was the point about the SPL meter, even though it was a good switch, if the speaker levels were not matched with a SPL meter then the test means nothing, as the listeners will always pick the louder speaker even if only a db or 2 louder. The Dynaudio being 4 ohms will play louder at all volume levels than the 8 ohm M22.

Agreed Jason,

My guess is that they didn't calibrate each speaker individually to make it a fair playing field. Of course, the Dynaudio would play louder if this was not done prior, at all volume levels.

Keith, it would be my guess that the 60's or 80's would be a better fit to fill that 6,480 cu ft room. I have owned both 60v2's and 80v2's and my room is larger than yours.

The 80's will give you a little more in the detail area because of the dual tweeters and dual midrange drivers. Plus they can handle a lot more power. I've never owned the 22's, but I'm guessing even the 60's would perform better in the detail category and achieve louder levels as well.

Maybe someone else will chime in that has upgraded from 22's to 60's or 80's.

I guy at my work has dynaudio's in his setup. He really seems to like them.

I want him to come check out my m80's though. I have a feeling when he hears how good my speakers sound and how little they cost in comparison he will wish he bought axiom!

The M80s have the detail of the M22s and sound way fuller(better bottom end-obviously). I did find the M60s to be slightly lacking in detail compared to the M22s until I turned up the volume then the M60s really started to shine, but at lower volumes I found the M60s uppers and mids took a back seat to the lower end notes.

I think this is one instance where an audition is a must considering the OP's desire for more detail. I am not sure the M80s will have it or not as they are not that much, if at all, more detailed in the treble than the M22's. The M80s are just a better all around speaker, as they should be considering the size/design difference.

I guess it is possible Keith's treble/detail, is the lower mids that most of us that have made the jump to floor standers from the M22's, have noticed is not as prominent with them as we would like.