Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom M80 vs Klipsch RF-82

Hi everyone,

I am trying to build my first home theater and I need some opinions from you people that are more experienced than me.

I have been listening to some speakers (not many but some …) from Infinity, Energy, Polk and Klipsch. I find myself liking more dynamic speakers like Polk and Klipsch over Infinity and Energy. I auditioned the Klipsch RF-82 and the Polk RTiA7 side by side. Both are nice speakers, but I thought the RF-82 were slightly lacking of mid-range compared to the RTiA7 and even the bass was not really there which really surprised me considering the 2 x 8’’ woofers so I think that it might have been something wrong with the setup and will go back to listen again. On the other hand, I just loved the 82’s high frequencies and the dynamics and soundstage that it creates. They envelop you and make the music come to life. They are really good speakers.

Going back to my HT, I am trying to build a system under $3000 that would be good for 2ch stereo listening as well as HT. I listen to pretty much any type of music (Rap, RnB, Techno, Rock, Orchestra…) and would probably use the speakers for 60% movies / 40% music. Right now I live in an apartment but am moving to my new home in March. My room will then be 20’’x 11’’ with hardwood floor, no furniture except the couches and a coffee table.
The front towers that I like the most will determine which system I will get. Here are the 2 systems that I am considering:
1) Klipsch: 2 x RF-82, 1x RC-62, 2 x RS-52
2) Axiom: 2 x M80, 1 x VP150, 2 x QS8

For the subs, I was considering the RW-12D for Klipsch and EP350 for Axiom, however I noticed that both Klipsch and Axiom owners like to pair their system with other brand subs like HSU and SVS as they say you get more for the money. Any recommendation on a sub of $700 or less better that the 2 mentioned?

I also haven’t decided on the receiver. Any suggestions (if possible < $700)?

The M80s are 4 ohms vs 8 ohms for the 82s. Does that change anything sound wise? Does it mean that I need less power to drive them or more?

Is it fair to compare the M80s to the RF-82s or should they be more compared to the RF-63s (in terms of quality of sound, not looks)

I like much more the look of the Klipsch over the Axiom but sound has nothing to do with looks. I have read nothing but good reviews on the Axioms, that they have very good highs and lows and excellent mids. For the Klipsch, the only negatives that I read are how they sound harsh and bright, and how they lack a little bit of mids. Personally I like the way the horns sound very much (maybe because I only listened for an hour or so) so I disagree with the first comment, but I kind of agree about the mids (at least for the 82s).

Will the M80 provide the same dynamic feel and wide sound stage as the 82 do but with more detailed mids and lows?
Why do you think the M80s are better than the RF-82s? (except the fact that some people find them harsh which I don't)

The ultimate test will be for me to listen to the Axiom and eventually I will. However it will be very hard, at least for me, to compare them if they are not side by side. The 82s already sound good to me, what if the Axiom also sound good to me, how can I remember which one sounds better !?!?

Also, I only listened to the 82s in stereo, how will the center and surrounds compare?

I know that this is a Axiom forum and obviously lot of people will favor Axiom, but I am looking for honest and truthful opinions of people that possibly owned or heard both and picked one over the other and why.

Thank you very much for your help.

Bruno

Hi Bruno, I just bought the M80, QS8, and VP150 setup, and while I haven't received them yet, I was lucky enough to audition them beforehand. I think these speakers have a great soundstage and are definately solid on highs, mids, and lows.

When I was receiver hunting, and it was between the Pioneer 92TXH and the Denon 3808CI, I was listening through some large Klipsch tower speakers (can't remember the model #) at Best Buy. I do have to say that they sounded better than the Def Tech setup they had there surprisingly. But after listening to the Axioms, they definately appealed more to my ears.

By the way, if you're looking for a $700 sub, you may want to check out the MFW-15 woofer on av123's site. It's gotten great reviews. I'll be setting mine up soon, so I'll be sure include my opinion about it along with my M80 review. Just a warning though, it took me over 2 months to get it due to backorder from such high demand.

As far as receivers, I know that Yamaha has the v663 for around $600.

The EP350v3 is an excellent sub, with what is also said to be a very good bang for the buck.

The M80s are nothing short of incredible. If at all possible, though, you should try and find someone who can do an audition for you.

Personally, I never liked the "horn" type tweeters in the Klipsch speakers. Well, maybe back in the 80's metal days.

As you stated in your post, the Klipsch has a VERY different sound than most speakers because of the horn tweeter. For me, it's way too harsh a sound, and I do tire of it after about 30 mins of listening.

The M80s will sound very different than the Klipschs. If you like the Klipsch sound, you will not get it with the Axioms. Having heard both, I prefer the Axiom sound. In addition to having clearer (not brighter) highs, I feel the Axioms dominate most speakers in the mid-range frequencies.

Since you live in Canada, the return shipping to Axiom should be cheaper if you audition them and don't like them. There's a thread in the forum of people who will let you listen to their system. There must be someone in the Toronto area.

Bruno - I can't speak for the M80's but I do own their M3ti's with a sub. I have auditioned Klipsch RF 52 and will confirm their midrange is not as well defined as my Axioms. Although the horn tweeter does allow for a wider dispersion, in no way is it as prestine and smooth as Axiom's (all of Axiom speakers share the same tweeter technology). In my opinion, it's going to be the midrange where Axiom will beat the Klipsch hands down. My M3's are bookshelves of course, but the Axiom sound is something I'm going to live with for a long time. Regarding the AVR question, you won't go wrong the Denon, HK, NAD or Outlaw.

Bruno. Generally speaking, what sounds best in a speaker to most people is one with a flat frequency response across the spectrum. If you look at the M80s, they are +-3db from 36Hz to 22kHz and if you look more closely, they are actually +-2db from about 150Hz to 22kHz. The latter means that you get very accurate (much better than average) reproduction of sound through the mids and highs.

To add to what I posted about the mids on audioholics, I have found the reproduction of acoustic guitar to be exceptional on the M80s. Clapton's Unplugged is a very well recorded disc and the guitar is just incredible when played on the M80s.

As to soundstage, properly set up (as I listened to them at Axiom) the M80 system will give you an incredibly enveloping experience. Probably a little better than the Klipsch. Horns tend to have a narrower dispersion of sound leading to more off axis dropoff. I believe that gives you a smaller sweet spot.

Subs are more difficult. There have been a lot of advances in this area over the last few years that have really re-defined the top end and made this the most competitive area of HT.

Unfortunately, it is rather costly to bring a sub in from someone like HSU because you have to deal with cross border shipping and duties. You can probably add $200 to the sub for shipping and duties. I ended up going with the EP350 and its great for music. If it went down into the low 20s I think it would be a hands down winner in its category.

From what others have posted here, for subs like the SVS PB12nsd you trade off accuracy (music) for rumble/thump (movies). Mine is a music first system so that was the clincher for me.

As I suggested on audioholics, audition the M80s, and if you like what you hear, arrange to compare them to the Klipsch in home.

good luck in your search

The 350V3 from what I read, would be where I would be looking for subs in that price range. However, there is a place (electronis for less) in Toronto the sells the HSU VTF3-MK2, this is where I got mine.

Fred, thanks for the reply, it is very helpful.

Also, I am not too familiar with the technical aspect. You mention an accuracy of 3db from 36Hz to 22kHz and 2db from 150Hz to 22Khz.
Is it accuracy to how the material was recorded or accuracy to how it should sound?
Also +-3db? how can I understand that? is it volume related?
Which frequencies do you consider being the lows, the mids, and the highs?
Sorry but I am new to this and I am not really aware of the terminology.

As for the sub, I have read in this forum a lot of people talking about the MFW15 but I haven't read a comparison to the EP350, I am curious to read a review of someone that would have it matched with the M80s, how do they sound together?
You mentioned the EP350 being great for music, how does it stand for movies? (I would be doing 60/70% HT)

Bruno

Thanks, I'll check that out.