Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 144
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Hi, My first post. I find myself in need of a pair of bookshelf speakers and with very little money. I was initially looking at spending $1000-$1500, which in Australia can buy you a pair of Dynaudio Audience 52's (I love those speakers), or Elac bookshelves. However, most of the money got "used up", and my budget is now around $500 (and even then I'll have to wait of couple of months for all of it). A number of people at the Slim Devices forum (I own a Squeezebox network player) suggested said Axiom were good value, and the M3 v2's are A$482 including delivery (even cheaper from the factory outlet). So, the obvious question is - what do they sound like? I listen to everything from chamber music to Al Stewart, although not a lot of heavy stuff. The room is rectangular, about 18 by 12 feet, with a nine foot ceiling. However, instead of a wall next to the left speaker, there is a six foot opening leading to the dining room, which complicates things a bit For me, a speaker needs to have reasonable bass quality and extension, and a clean top end, but the most important thing is the midrange. It needs to be smooth and natural, especially vocals. So, if you own a pair of M2's, do you think they would work for me? How do they compare to other bookshelf speakers you have listened to? I have a NAD C320BEE stereo amp, which has a solid, slightly forward sound, and, as I said, a Slim Devices Squeezebox. I do plan to order the M3's when I get the money, and take advantage of the 30 day trial. Thanks Shane
Last edited by Shane White; 10/09/08 02:30 AM.
Raspberry Pi running Squeezelite->IQAudio Pi-DAC->NAD C320BEE amp->Usher S-520 bookshelf speakers
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Welcome, Shane!
The M3s are fantastic little speakers. They have a slight bass hump, which gives the impression of a little fuller bottom end, but it is not very distracting. The midrange is where the M3s shine, offering a smooth and pleasing tone. As for the top end, the M22s are probably the winner (although I've never heard them), but the M3s are slightly more recessed on the top. Yes, you still get detail, but it's not as prevalent as on other speakers. It just so happens that that is the sound I prefer.
For the money, you can't go wrong.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Shane, welcome. You're certainly correct as to the importance of the mid-range and it's crucial to get that right. The Axioms have in fact got it right and since the M3s fit your budget you should be very pleased with the results. If you haven't seen it, you might study the NRC measurements and SoundStage review which is still relevant since there've been only a couple of cosmetic changes.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Shane, I'm gonna shamelessly pimp my own review I did of the M3s and other speakers. Maybe this will help.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
yeah, I remember that post. Great review!
-David
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898 |
StPat. I hadn't seen that review so thanks for linking to it. I enjoyed reading through your comments.
Jason
Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Thanks guys! See, sometimes I actually have helpful posts.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Posts: 1,898 |
Indeed! What is 1 divided by 3,916 as a percentage? (totally kidding by the way) Jason
Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Indeed! What is 1 divided by 3,916 as a percentage? (totally kidding by the way) Jason I'll post, just to throw your numbers off! So there.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Thinking of buying M3 v2
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 144
veteran
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OP
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Thanks guys, they "sound" impressive. St_PatGuy, the bass hump shouldn't bother me either, as I like a slightly forward sound. I graphed your frequency response measurements in Excel, and they jive very nicely with the NRC graph - nice going. I won't be getting your nice walnut finish though
Raspberry Pi running Squeezelite->IQAudio Pi-DAC->NAD C320BEE amp->Usher S-520 bookshelf speakers
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