Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Interested in the M80 or possibly the M60

Hi,

I'm intersted in updating my speakers, I currently have the vandersteen 1c as my main speakers, used for audio only. No HT. My amp is a NAD C352, NAD C542 CDP, and NAD tunner. A few years ago, I had purchased the Axiom M3 speakers for a smaller room in the basement, Good speakers, not perfect but then again, there is no perfect speaker.

However, the issue I'm having is I'm very intersted in either the M80 or M60 but difficult to comment since they I have not heard them. I did contact someone in Montreal for an audition, just waiting for them to reply.

My vandersteen are great speakers, but bass shy, also they are 10 years old and been banged up a little, therefore wife asked me to replace them. (green light)

I understand there is a 30 day return offer from Axiom, but since they are large speakers, it makes it a little difficult.

Can someone tell me any faults these speakers have?

The room size is 15 X 30, wood floors, typical hight.

Thanks

I have not been able to find any faults with the M80s. They are God's gift to those who have ears. I kid you not!

OK Mojo, I don't think I can top that one.

I just visited Axiom and had a chance to listen to the M22, M60 and M80.

Here is my post on my impressions of the three speakers and how they compare.

The 80s definatly have more detail in the bass, and they go noticably lower. Having listened to music with a sub though, I don't think any floor stander can go low enough.

I personally am holding out a little longer for the M80, but the 60s sound very very good as well.

I second what Tex is saying 100%. The M80s are amazing by their own merit, when you consider the price, it's miraculous.

Hmm... faults? Its hard to find faults per se. Some find the M60 light on bass. I could agree, though they are not noticably bad (I did like my music with a sub). I would describe the M80 as very detailed, but some people just don't like this sound.

For starters you could go out and listen to speakers like the Paradigm studio 60 or 100 to get some idea of what the axioms sound like. If you like the studio line, you will like the Axioms.

One more for getting the M80s. The extra detail they have are worth the extra money, if you can't swing the money, then the M60s are a great alternative and they are 8 ohm speakers so they can be driven by pretty much anything out there, while the M80s requre a little more robust amp as they are 4 ohm speakers.

Tony, relating to your comment that you contacted someone in Montreal, but are still waiting for a reply, note that some of the audition listings aren't current in that the person doesn't check the board and won't see a PM if that's what you sent. You could contact Amie or Andrea at Axiom directly to see if they could assist you in setting something up.

If you guys don't mind me asking, what equipment are you using? amp, cd, etc..

Music style, etc..

Thanks for the info, I'll contact them.

m80s, ep500, qs8's, vp150, denon 3808.

Listen to all types of music/movies

M80s, VP150, 4 x QS8s, EP600, Denon 90W/channel amp. I listen to music (all kinds) a lot and watch movies.

I also have Audiobytes that I absolutely love...but they're no M80s obviously.

Remember that even if you get M80s, you will need a sub unless you only plan to listen to flute music .

If you can't afford 80s yet, then wait and save up. It'll be worth it.

Of course now we've pumped them up so much that when you get them I'm sure they'll be a let-down .

You will love m80's. I had planned on getting the m60's but these guys talked me into the 80's (plus those were the speakers I auditioned) After listening to the m80's I was worried that I would not like the sound of the m60 as much. I am sure they are both good though

I auditioned the M60's and they totally sold me on Axiom. I ended up buying the 80's, even though they are undoubtedly overkill for my ~2500 cubic foot room. I figured if I didn't get the M80's I would always wonder how much better they were, and eventually I'd be upgrading to them anyway. (but that's me... if you don't think you'll have that problem, I can tell you from my audition that you'd be happy either way).

The place where I auditioned them was a tough room and the 60's filled it with no problem. 15' ceilings, open living room to kitchen, back hallway, etc. and nevertheless, it sounded beautiful.

my room is about 2200 CF and I don't feel like the m80's are overkill at all.

My NAD amp output power is rated as:
Power output Stereo Mode 2 x 80W
(8 ohms within rated distortion)
IHF dynamic power; 8 ohms 2 x 115W
IHF dynamic power; 4 ohms 2 x 185W

The M80 will only be used for audio and not home teather, since I have a deticated HT room already.

I think my first step would be to audition them, bring my CD along to see if I can hear the difference.

Good point... overkill is the wrong word... What I meant was that they play WAY louder than I ever (ever) could handle in a room that size. Overkill for me really doesn't exist either. I love them entirely and wouldn't trade them for the world...

Besides, who knows, there may come a day when I want to open the windows and crank them to full volume so that I can hear them from the mailbox two blocks away. That way I wouldn't have to take my iPod with me when I go out for a jog or to the mailbox... I haven't seen that need yet, but if ever I do, the option is there.

Your HT room is going to be jealous if you put the M80s elsewhere.

they can def. play louder than you need or would want them to in an average room.

Hi myrison/terzaghi,

I too have a 2000+ cfu living room. I'm planning on purchasing the M60 for my room size. But after reading your reply. I'm not sure anymore.

How does the M80's sound in the room of your size. Does it sound bad because of the smaller room or is there no difference?

Is the only issue being the volume that you can play it at?

If the sound quality is so much better and sound equally good at low volumes. I'll get the M80's too.

Comment?

my living room is about 13.5 x 20 x 8 and I sit about 11.5 feet from the m80s. My living room opens up to my kitchen and my hallway so the room is not sealed off.

In my case the m80s sound fantastic with my denon 3808. They sound great both at low and high volumes.

I can not comment on the m60's as I have never heard them.

My room dimensions are similar to that of yours.

No sure if i can sit the same distancee from the speakers. The furhtest i can go is about 10 ft.

I always wanted to get the M80 so that i do not have to think about upgrading. Do you have the EP500 too?

Is yours a house or an apartment?

Thanks.

aprox 1500 sq ft house.

The distance I mention is from my ear to my speaker when sitting back on the couch. 10 ft will be fine.

I have the ep 500 as well. I am going to add a second ep500 or probably an ep600 very soon. One ep500 does fine in my room, I just want MORE

I say go for the m80's if you can swing it and your receiver is 4ohm friendly.

If, not I am sure you will be very happy with the m60's from what I have read around here. I knew If I got the m60's the upgrade bug would kick in.

I didn't think that Would be the case with the ep 500 vs. the 600 (plus I could not afford the 600 at the time)... but now the upgrade bug is kicking in a bit... rather than trade in the ep500 I think I will run dual subs (one 600 and 0ne 500, or maybe just dual 500's)

see the pics in this thread for my setup:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=189625#Post189625

Also, the house I auditioned my m80's in was considerably larger than mine. The living room was a little larger, and the ceiling were 9 ft- IT openened to a large kitchen/the rest of the house with very tall ceilings.

I think my m80's sound every bit as good in my smaller room as the larger one. (Actually I think it sounds better in my room- but prolly just b/c I paid for these speakers and not the others! )

Bottom line- Don't let the size of your room keep you from getting the m80's- that is really not a factor at all- 2000 cf is plenty of room for the m80's to come alive in.

Gotta jet- going to listen to one more song on my m80's before I go back to work

My sitting area where the M80s are located is just 12X16 and that area opens to another 12x16 area in an 'L' shape. The M80s are great in this space.

My room is 12x20x9, so almost exactly the same, but it is a sealed room. I have not heard the M60s in my room, I've only heard them elsewhere in another much more challenging room (described above) and they performed quite admirably.

Without having done an A/B test, I would just be repeating what others have said about the comparisons, but I'll do it anyway now that I've told you that's all I'm doing....

Many folks here have commented that the M80s play fuller and deeper at low volumes as well and of course they have the ability to go even louder at times when you need it.

In my case, I was sitting on a dedicated HT budget that was originally designed for more expensive speakers, so going with Axiom's best lineup didn't stretch what I'd set aside (in fact it was a bargain). If I was approaching with a tighter budget and was trying to decide between the 60s and 80s, I _might_ buy the 60s and spend the extra money saved on a better sub, but that's just me.

I'm a big fan of bass, and having heard how amazing the 60s sound, I would probably choose to put the extra money there if pressed. That's just me though! Hopefully that ramble helps.

Asiatic. I just finished a/b auditioning of the M60 and 80. You can read my thoughts on the differences by following the link found on the first page of this thread.

When I auditioned, the speakers were level matched so loudness never entered the equation. There is definately more to the M80 in several ways. For me, I felt the increase in sound quality was worth much more than the ~$300 difference in price. It is very much an individual preference.

Thats not to say the M60 dosn't sound great though. They are both very good speakers.

like almost everyone in the forum. i got a 3808. not a problem for the M80's.

I'm not sure about the Ep500, will it disturb my neighbours as i'm an apartment.

still deciding on eith Ep350 or Ep500.

I already got the VP150 and the QS8's.

Either of those subs would easily disturb your neighbors in an apartment.

You will just have to tone the bass down a lot when your neighbors are home.

You could easily get by with a 350, especially since you will be in an apartment and prolly will have to keep it trimmed back some anyway.

Well the EP350 was nearly the same output of the EP600 when we compared it to Mojo's 600, so i would save some bucks and go for the 350.

As said above both those subwoofers will do a great job disturbing your neighbors it’s just a matter of how loud you play them. If you want to replace the missing LFE from playing your subwoofer low consider getting tactile transducers. I also live in an apartment and got a Buttkicker and found that it replaces about 90% or so of the missing LFE without disturbing anyone.

The 350 has great output, but will not go as low as the 500 or 600.

So far no luck with auditioning the M80's. Next week is the Montreal audio show, which I will be attending. There are some other speakers I need to check out.