Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Axiom M80's

I was visiting another forum and someone was mentioning speakers they had tried. There was no other comment (good or bad) about M80's other than he had tried them.

I PM'd him (Not giving any names here. Hope this lives up to "internet etiquette") Here is his reply. I thought that some here may have an opinion to share about this.

I had the M80 V2. Good, very efficient much like the Paradigm Monitor, but after hearing the Monitor Audio RS8, I was hooked in that there was something I define as more balanced and defined with out a haarsh or bright high end. The Axiom was generally louder do to its efficiency but......


And yes, I understand that this is NOT a Paradigm speaker he is talking about.

Bob-
Is there a local facility that would be willing to freeze your body into a solid state until your Axioms arrive?

Say it with me....

Reeee - Laaaaxxxxx..........

Oh, I had a bad day yesterday. Much more relaxed now. I was just generating a discussion that I'm guessing you have nothing to add to. Thanks for stopping by!

Take a look at it from a different perspective. Mark is adding something...

Bob, your quote is one man's OPINION. It is neither more, nor less, valid than any other OPINION. Speaker preference is SUBJECTIVE. The only OPINION that matters (to you) is YOURS.

Here's what you can count on. Axiom is a respected manufacturer of Audio equipment with excellent customer service. They stand behind their product. If you are dissatisfied with their product, you may return it within 30 days for a complete refund of your purchase price. Yes, you would pay the return shipping costs but, if you think of that as the cost of renting a set of speakers for 30 days to be certain they are what you want, that expense can be less painful.

When the speakers arrive, try real hard not to prejudge them. Fire them up the first time with an open, neither pro nor con, "we'll see" attitude. Indulge in at least 3 weeks of comfortable, relaxed, no pressure listening to a variety of music and movies, both familiar and new, BEFORE reaching any conclusions. During that period, try, as much as possible NOT to listen to your system. Listen to the MUSIC; get into the MOVIE; ENJOY yourself. At the end of the 3 weeks, you'll KNOW if the Axioms are for you.

P.S. You also might consider not asking for help and then disrespecting those who are trying to do just that. This is, after all, the "Advice From Axiom Owners" section of the forum, is it not?.

BoB,

Have you noticed that many forum members seem to be getting impatient with your hemming and hawing?

This thread is one of quite a few reasons for that. Mark gave you some sage advice. Add a couple years to your life and stop stressing out. Once you receive the speakers and listen to them for a few days, if you don't like them THEN you should start stressing out.

*sigh*

Bob, we're not trying to drive you into a corner here. No need to be so defensive. Just enjoy your speakers!

When are your speakers scheduled to arrive?

Bob:
I started posting a reply earlier when my computer froze. When I signed back on, I saw that Jack had very eloquently posted the majority of what I wanted to say.

What you have to understand is that your type of question has been asked ad nauseam and there IS no answer for it. Therefore, discussing it just gets old.

This is not math where absolutes rule. Some prefer Chevy, some prefer Ford. Neither is right. What one person calls fatiguing, another calls accurate.

The rooms make a difference, the material makes a difference, the preferences and experiences of the listener makes a difference. It doesn't MATTER how one other person describes it. It's how YOU like it. And that simply can't be discussed until YOU'VE heard the speakers in YOUR room with YOUR material and YOUR personal perceptions.

So then, you mean that what you are really trying to say that no one here has heard the Monitor Audio RS8 nor have compared them to anything Axiom. I haven't heard Monitor speakers myself nor have I heard much about them.

Thanks for the attempt at an answer. Maybe someone on another forum would have an opinion on the Monitor Audio RS8 or other Monitor speakers.

No, Bob. Read Carefully:

I'm saying that it doesn't MATTER whether anyone here has heard the Monitor Audio RS8 nor have compared them to anything Axiom. It STILL won't tell you how they'll sound to YOU until YOU'VE heard the speakers in YOUR room with YOUR material and YOUR personal perceptions.

Didn't I just say this? Yeah, I must have. I copied and pasted it from my previous answer.

I have a new definition for fatiguing!

Mark, what about Martin Logan's ... how do think they compare to the Axioms? Thoughts? I read something, somewhere the other day....











::Getting the hell out of Dodge before Mark can catch me::

I have asked people's opinions of Axiom speakers both here and elsewhere. I thought most of you were beyond the "fan boy" attitude on Axion speakers or at least to be able to give a valid opinion of another brand. I think most of you are reading WAY BEYOND my question. AND there is certainly no need to repeat yourself. Just ignore this thread if it bothers you so much. Or ignore all of my posts if I bother you so much.

IT WAS JUST A QUESTION ASKING FOR AN OPINION OF A SPEAKER!!!!!!

IT WAS NOT REFERENCED TO ANYTHING I MAY OR MAY NOT BE THINKING ABOUT MY ORDER!!!!!!

IS THE MOON IN THE 7TH HOUSE OR IS JUPITER ALIGNED WITH MARS???

I did say I was sorry! (now I'm repeating myself)

Hey Rick,

I'll see if I can find any info on those Martin Logans for you

Bob, if I believed everyones opinion I have found on the internet re. speakers I wouldn't have bought anything. In the end the only thing that matters is that YOU like what you hear. There's always going to be specific posts on any forums that don't support what the consensus believes. The cream always rises to the top, that is why certain co's are usually compared to each other in regards to speakers. Monitor Audio is one of those, so is Paradigm....if I were to pick which sound I liked best out of this group, I would have a difficult time choosing...show me the price of admission and I know I made the right choice. BTW, there's no shortage of friendly 'barbs' on this forum...they're all in fun, not meant to be malicious, just to add some lightheartedness to the discussion.

Bob, I believe the issue here is that more often than not it *seems* like you are openly questioning your purchase with the Axiom products, folks here are just suggesting that you wait until you have a chance to hear the speakers first.

Maybe we're just reading you wrong?

BoB/335,

If you are having a tough time finding comparisons between the Monitor Audio RS8 and the Axiom M80's do an indivdual search on the RS8's on the web and compare those opinions to what you have heard on the Axiom M80's. Maybe you will even run across some posts that talk about both.

Rick nailed it from MY point of view.

And it's not a fanboy thing, Bob. We're all VERY open to preferences other than Axiom. But first, try a search. What your asking has been asked over and over.

In the end, though, you're right. I should have just stayed out of this....

Bob, I'm sensing people here just don't have experience with this particular combination and sense a nervousness or hesitancy around your order (weather that be accurate or not, it does appear to be evident). So, they are actually trying to be helpful in the one way left that they can be, by attempting to reduce your nervousness until they arrive and you can hear them for yourselves. At this point, discussion would hopefully reconvene and it would actually be you giving us the value of your new experience.

In general, I find the veterans here to be very forthcoming with opinions when they have them and do a good job to try and remove as much subjectivity as possible by backing it up with fact or stating that they are indeed subjective opinions.

If further subjective opinions are strictly what you are looking for, here are a few Google found for me.

opinions 1

Opinions 2

Opinions 3

Opinions 4

Most seem positive but are not the subjective comparison with an M80 you are looking for.

Yeah, Mark, you should be selling Ken on that amp right now

There are threads here with some comparisons with the MA speakers. From what I recall they (MA)did quite well. I have never heard them myself.

Rick: I have heard the MLs and I would trade my M80 for them in a heartbeat. The thing is the ones I looked at were something like 5K a piece.

The speaker I want to own before I'm planting up daisies is a set of Maggies. Once I get the ok from the boss these m80s will be going to one of the kids.

Kids......like me?

Hey, I'm under 40, at least for a couple of more months.

I think my daughter might want to fight ya over them, oh she's a mean one too

I think Ken has decided to disappoint all of us by NOT testing the theory...

Unless.....

Ken?

Ken?

They're still on sale I think!

Now that you see more females in MMA and watching the ferocity that they tend to put into it right off the bat compared to the male athletes (no holding back and conserving energy for that third round), I will concede. They are hers.

Rick, I've heard both the RS6s and RS8s and was impressed by them. I felt they sounded similar to P'digm Studios if not a little 'warmer' (did NOT A/B test btw). The problem I had with the MAs and the P'digms was mainly the $$ of a complete system...add a centre, surrounds ect and the price gets up there for essentially the 'same' sound as Axiom.

Sorry, Mark, I'm pulling a Bob and I can't decide whether to do it or not. I figure I've got all the info I need from you guys, and it's down to my own personal choice, so I've been quiet about it.

Just do it.

Yeah, we dare yuh!

And peer pressure doesn't help?

Actually, it wasn't me that cared. It was Adrian. Yeah. HE thinks you should buy it.

Thanks Adrian! Yours was the only answer to my question even though you addressed you answer to Rick. I am curious (yet hesitant) to ask, other than the price, how it is that you were not impressed yet feel that they were similar to Paradigms (of which the Axioms are constantly compared to?

The rest of you can feel free to ignore this thread because you are so off base. Initially I could understand your feelings towards this thread. I am done attempting to explain my curiousity of this brand of speaker.

Nah, we like screwing up your thread

Rick, you know if I had your money I'd buy Ken two of those amps.

The truth is, I was impressed with the MAs, Bob...it was when I started talking $$ with the dealer that he lost me. The surrounds alone(RSFX) were more than twice the price of the QS8s and the centre was also quite a bit more. I felt the QS8s were the better surround because of their quadpolar design. Remember, I wasn't able to A/B test against the Paradigm Studios but I felt the MAs were a little warmer and the Paradigms had a little more clarity higher up (detail?). The Paradigm Studio set up I was looking at would easily have costed 2X the price of the Axioms. So really it came down to value, you have three similar sounding systems (I won't hear the Axioms until I get them remember) so I went with what I felt was the best per $$. In the end, that fact, plus the overwhelmingly positive reviews swayed my decision (and cust. serv).

I agree with Adrian.I also listened to Paradigm Studio 60's,Monitor Audio RS6's in the stores and the Axioms at home with the 30 day trial.It would have been nice to AB them side by side and if your local retailer allows it, go for it and bring some home when the M80s are at your house.All very similar sounding speakers with clean highs and tight bass but the Axioms were the best deal.If they were all the same price I'd keep the Axioms they are just so accurate sounding you feel you are not missing out on any part of the recording.Dave Matthews/TimReynolds bluray is just sweet sounding.

Thanks Adrian! Despite what some people think, it IS valuable to hear others opinions in THEIR comparisons of speakers. I have read so many other opinions of Axiom vs ? I hadn't heard anything about these Monitor speakers. Since it was mentioned by someone in another forum, I THOUGHT the best place to hear an opinion would have been among the people who's opinions I have learned to trust. Not the first time I have judged wrongly in my life. Just ask my wife.
(On second thought, DON'T!)

Another great reply! Thanks!

Some people might be put off by these asides.

Well, some people over here might be a bit put off by some of the replys too, don't you think?


And turtle, I already know how you feel so don't bother telling me any more.


I actually just read through this entire thread. I DID ask a simple question and yes, most replys were way off base even AFTER I tried to steer it back on course. I can point to about 3 other current threads where people are asking about other speakers (some in comparison to Axiom and others not) and I don't see anyone treated like I am being treated here.

What model of Maggies are you referring to? I would like to hear them one day as well.

Tsk Tsk! And I was doing so well at controlling myself. Oh well. Here's some good advice you should heed, Bob.

"Solitary shots should be igonored, but when they come from several directions, it's time to pay attention. As someone once said, 'If one calls you a jackass, ignore him. If two call you a jackass, check for hoof prints. If three call you a jackass, get a saddle"

Marshall Shelley - On Criticism

So now we stoop to name calling. That's pretty low from you Marshall!

I feel very lighthearted!

Bob, where on earth did you get the idea that I called you a name. I posted a quote written by somone other than myself which contains some sage advice. Now if I'd said "Bob, you're a jackass," that WOULD be calling you a name. But, I didn't say that, did I. Still haven't.

Yeah you are ABSOLUTELY right! My bad!

whatever you guys are smoking, i want some!!

I don't foresee you ever being taken seriously on this board if you can't have a sense of humor and perspective about yourself.

Gave that up 18 years, 1 month, and 5 days ago. But who's counting?

Well giddyup, where do I sign up for a saddle! Actually, I may need more than one

Bob, you are way over the top now.

I hope you like the M80s when they arrive. If not, return them and move on to something else. Its only a set of speakers.

LOL You have forgotten where you are my friend...

Bob... Don't worry. You will soon be in sync with this crowd after about 20 mins with your M80's. Hang in there dude.

PS Warning: The Axiom s*** eatin grin stays a long time.
I've had mine 3 yrs after plenty of smacks.

Well, I did ask for the saddle in the same post...

That would be the 1.6, lovely sounding speakers imo.

"All your base are belong to us"

Bob, there are lots of fine speakers out there if you are willing to pay the price for them or spend time searching for a used set, I have listened to MAs and they are a great speaker nicely detailed, very smooth sounding, but I also found them to lack the low volume clarity of Axioms, as do many other higher priced speakers, IMO. I would love to have enough money to buy a set of MAs, or any of the other brands I felt compared to, or bested, the M80s, but I do not, at least not now, and the biggest selling point of Axiom is the price. If you have the money to buy some of these other brands of speakers, then by all means do so, as I do feel they are slightly superior to Axiom(sorry Ian), but at a premium that I and many others are not willing to pay. So if you can find a set of MA's, Paradigm Studio 100s, Focal 918's, or any ~$2500 speakers and up, for the same $1300 you have spent on the M80s then cancel your order and buy them.

All of this still comes down to how you are going to like the Axiom sound and I know all of these questions stem from the fact you bought them with out hearing them, the worst that can happen is you don't like them and you ship them back and you take a loss of ~$100. A very minor price to pay to know exactly how a system will sound in your home. Many boutique shops selling these other brands will charge a restocking fee about equal to this $100 for returning a set of speakers. So you are really not any worse off for not having heard them before purchasing.

Gee guys! Knock it off already!!!!!! All I did was ask about a speaker that I never heard of from guys who I trusted with an opinion. I have no idea how much they are and I am NOT interested in cancelling my order. This guy was "hooked" after listening to these Monitor speakers. I was just wondering how they were.
I can't believe that one after the other continue to jump on this bandwagon. How many times and how much clearer do I have to explain this question. And who's still missing from jumpin on me? Anyone else???

Maybe I can change the topic of this thread. (Or at least try)

"but I also found them to lack the low volume clarity of Axioms"

Now that's an interesting statement. A newbie here was asking about Axiom M80's and someone from this forum made a blanket statement that you needed a room over 3000 cubic feet (or more) for the M80's to be a valuable buy. One of the reasons I went with Axiom was from the Why Axiom thread where someone stated about the low volume clarity and being well defined.


Oh nevermind! I don't want to know. Someone will think I'm stressing over my decision or something. Just ignore the above.

It's important to choose the speakers you like but choosing the wrong CHAIR!! can cost you dearly!!

Bob,

One thing I’ve learned over the past decade working with people, is that it is rarely WHAT you say, but HOW it is said that matters. In fact, body language alone can totally hose up your message although what you say and how you say it was perfect. You started down a rabbit hole with your curt response to Mark. Whether you meant to be curt or not, that how the message was received. Your question at that point became meaningless. Take that input for what it’s worth. I can assure you that I have taken my lumps on this board, many times. I’ve learned to be more careful how I say things. Either that or everyone else has just given up and gives me a wide berth.

Regarding your original question, I have not heard the speakers you mention. I do however have a whole slew of Axiom speakers, and have spent many hours listening to Paradigm, B/W, Wilson….bla-bla-bla. I own a set of Wharfendale Opus 2’s that I use for my two channel rig. Way different sound than the Axioms, but at the same time, similar. A contradictory statement I know, but it’s true. They are both detailed, sharp, hard hitting mid range and plenty of low end. However, they are uniquely different and I prefer different music on each. Alison Kraus sounds incredible with the Axioms. Breaking Benjamin sounds horrible. Pink Floyd DSOTF on SACD sound terrific on both, but the edge goes to the M80’s. Older mixed hard rock and heavy metal sound better on the Opus 2’s.

Really, no jabs intended, but when you ask someone what they think about how a thing sounds or looks, you get their bias that they have developed through their own life experiences. I absolutely hate cooked pees………YUK-YUK-YUK. But I love split pee soup…..

Again, there was nothing wrong with your question and I doubt anyone here would steer you one way or the other. What started the feather ruffling was the response, which I’m sure you probably did not intend to come across the way it was received.

I hope you stick around. You have a good wit to you. You’ll get along just fine and be asking advice about Vacuum cleaners before long and Peter will be helping you fix your laptop…. You wont find a more helpful, courteous and friendly on-line community than here. That’s why I still visit. I am not a forum junky or have a lot of time to kill sitting on my ass.

I don't think I like either....sorry, couldn't resist!

My reply to this first reply in this thread is seen as a problem?
I asked a simple question if anyone has heard of these speakers and does the opinion that I quoted make sense. I get a reply ASS-UMING that I am stressed out over my decision with Axiom speakers. I was bored this morning and I happened to be at another forum. I read something that I thought would make for a discussion here and everyone dumps on me. I continually again and again try to explain the same thing over and over and I feel like no one is listening. This is beyond ridiculous!

Bob, I believe the problem is you keep posting opinions from other sources asking how these other speakers compare, I said I liked the MA's, just not as much as the Axioms for my lower volume listening preference.

Most speakers in the price ranges we have going on here all sound great, like Mike said the differences are somewhat subtle and can be different for various sources. The only thng that matters is whether or not you would like Speaker A over Axiom and to know that means you have to hear Axioms and then all these other speakers, it can be a never ending process, much like the harping on this thread

Bob, I only read half the thread, but I'll try to get it back on track. You should definitely get the Martin Logans. They sound fantastic, and they look cool. Hearing SRV's Vodoo Chile on SACD on the big ML’s flipped a switch I have not been able to turn off. I heard them on a $125K system, so this is a no-budget recommendation. Of course, I have since learned that all amps and all wire sounds the same, so you could cut that cost in half getting rid of the Krell and B&K components and the fine-ass wire they used.

Your question was about the Martin Logans you bought right?? Like I said, I only ready every other entry.

If you are not looking to drop $125K, I think the M80s are fantastic sounding speakers...not really. I've never even heard them. But the QS8s are damn impressive, my PSBs are damn impressive, and I have heard equal acclaim for M80s as I have for my PSB's. (More for the M80 actually.) The Canadian speakers apparently all sound very similar within spec groups. Axiom uses good parts, and good design, at a low price.

As for getting your ass kicked on this thread, it happens. See my first thread; I just asked why Axiom put banana plugs on the QS8s that could not be used with Axiom banana plugs on the Axiom T-bracket. Turned nasty quick as I hit a nerve in the “it all sounds the same” crowd. [Watch out, it will probably happen again, DUCK.] Some of the old men in the barber shop get tired of answering the same questions over the years. But that's the price of free advice.

And remember, you are talking about an internet only speaker that is considered a value. If price is not a major concern, you probably are better going with a local dealer that has Paradigms and MA and ML and PSBs, etc., you can A/B and possibly return. If you are looking for high value, it seems to me the Axioms are a no brainer. So just relax. . .sorry, sorry, wrong advice. . . just work on an outline of your review of the M80s for when they arrive. Outline the disks you want to hear, the movies to watch, the DSP meters to buy, etc. That should trigger another 34 threads that may elicit some real interesting responses as compared to the “how do they stack up” threads that tend to go down in flames.

But thanks for the thread, this was a fun read, since it was not mine. [Flame on!]

Easy for you to say...you're the only guy here with a 500 crystal changer.

Peter: pure ducky awesomeness.

Zimm: I love the description of "old men at the barbershop." That's absolutely perfect!

Bob:

!!!TIME OUT FELLAS!!!


Zimm, what SACD disc did you get Stevie doing Voodoo Chile on?




That is all.

All in good fun, I have picked up much good advice here. Still not a firm believer in the "it all sounds the same" theory, but I'm off my cable addiction, so there is hope.

And yes Adrian, my crystals do make it sound better. No matter what the science says, I CAN HEAR IT!

Damn, I was almost out clean. I don't honestly know what disk it was as I was in a demo room at a high end joint and they set up the disk. I know I have a SRV release with Vodoo Chile on it, The Real Deal: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 - because I love it - but my copy is not SACD. In truth, I was messing with Bob when I threw out Voodoo Chile specifically. That was years ago so I don’t recall the playlist in truth. The experience was real, and it was SRV on SACD (i was told) but not sure the disk. Does such a recording not exist? I love SRV but am no collector so don't take my sarcastic entry as gospel. Sorry if that is a holy grail kinda thing I just trampled on.

I can recomend a different version of Voodoo Chile if you have not heard it. Martin Scorce's Jimi Hendirx does the Blues has a fantastic rendition of Voodoo Chile. Also other great cuts like Red House, and Hear My Train Commin that I really like more than the more popular Jimi Hindrix stuff.

We good?

Hey Zimm,
Thanks for all the advice! Just one question though. What are Martin Logans? I never heard of them.

WHAT THE F... oh I get it.

The only SACD out that I know of from Stevie Ray is 'Texas Flood', which does not have Voodoo Chile on it ... the 'Real Deal' disc you are referring to is not SACD, unfortunately.

No not a holy grail kinda thing or nothing like that regarding me and Stevie Ray. Nope, not me ... no way.

I'll see y'all in a bit, I believe it's time for my blood pressure medication now.

There's several live versions of Voodoo Chile by SRV, including some live ones..."Live at the El Mocambo" and "Live at Montreux".

I miss Stevie. One of kind. Saw him perform 3 times in Detroit.

Adrian I though Zimm had or saw a SACD recording of Stevie doing Voodoo Chile, which to my knowledge wasn't out on SACD. 'Live at Montreux' is an excellent version of him doing the song, that's a great DVD.

Don't worry, we've still got Fall Out Boy, Kanye West et al.......yeah, I miss Stevie too!

You know, Rick, when I watch that 'Montreux' dvd, I get the impression the crowd didn't really recognize the talent they were watching. Maybe I'm wrong.

Your right, the first time Stevie played there the crowd was booing him.

They certainly didn't on the first disc, the El Mocambo crowd made up for them though ... they must have been Canadians.

Well I guess he's in good company, because some great groups have gotten booed at one time or another. Hate to say it, but Zeppelin got booed the first time they came to Toronto.

Yah, but they were drinkin'!! wink, wink

Well maybe, but it was probably the El Mocambo. That was a special place.

El Mocambo was in Toronto? Is it gone now?

OMG, what a disturbing thread.

I thought this forum was to get advice, learn and talk about a hobby many of us enjoy.

After reading Bob’s initial question I thought this would be an interesting thread as I have never heard of the speaker brand and wanted to learn about people’s opinions that I have a lot of respect for. I was hopping for some good discussion and maybe some opposing views. It’s the discussion that allows many of us to learn. Again, that is what is forum is all about!

But many of you here, because of Bob’s continual questions of speaker brands and models and configurations, which I sincerely believe is not due to his second guessing his purchase, but simply wanting to learn about the industry and initiate discussion, have become annoyed with him. That's not what the sprirt of this forum is about.

If you are becomming board with a members continual questions, please, just don't answer.

Bob, I implore you to keep researching this hobby and continue to post questions to this forum and others, even after you get your M80’s.

I couple of sayings come to mind here:

1. The only dumb question is the one not asked.

And

2. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Paul

Sorry about that, I should have just said SRV and not tried to fill in the memory banks so much. Have you heard the Hendrix blues album? If you like SRV - and I think you might - you would like it. And if I come across a SRV SACD (or Blu-Ray??) I will let you know.