Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions m80 v2 tweaking

Count me in

Hello Mrondeau

I haven't modded any Axiom speakers yet, but I have modded all my Michaura speakers (M60 like M665s, M50 like M66s and M22 like M55s).

I swapped out the capacitors with those of same values but which are recommended by audio buffs, like Solens, Audiocap thetas, Jensens, Mills resistors ... as far as the loose polyfill, I don't think there's any problem with that since its purpose is to diffuse rear panel reflections, but I do believe in damping the cabinet with products like No Rez. I wonder whether dynamat would work to damp the structure as well.

HOw do my modded speakers sound? I have both Axiom M22s and Michaura M55s. I'd say the M55s with the Jensen caps and Mills resistors, No Rez damping materials sound a bit better than the larger M22s. (Same 5.25" drivers but the M55s use the 3/4" Titanium tweeter from the old M1 M2 speakers instead of the 1" Titanium tweets in current use, Michaura uses a hex shaped cabinet instead of the trapezoid Axiom shape.)`

I love Axiom speakers, but there can be no question but that economic decisions have been made which limit the sound quality. One of the main reasons for NOT modding your Axiom speakers is that the drivers are mounted to MDF cabinets with plain screws into MDF. How many times do you think you can unscrew those things before there is play between the driver and cabinet? How long do you think you can blast Iron Butterfly before you get the same loosening? We all know that some speakers use internal metal structure into which the drivers are secured. More expensive? Yes.

We saw how the Skiing Ninja folks and their attempts to upgrade the cross-overs for our M22s were received here. Some folks are just true believers and are offended by the mere idea that Axiom speakers can be improved by after-market modifications.

Anyway, tweak away and let us know.

Hmm, this aught to be interesting. ::grabs popcorn::

I'll simply state improved is a subjective term and leave it at that.

Any speaker can be modded to change the sound to something the modder prefers which in his mind is better, but for me it might not be.

FWIW, the Skiing Ninja is now working on Paradigm Studio 100's.

Here is a thread on different materials for use in cabinets. There is a good explanation on rockwool and why it is preferable and more cost effective to other materials and products such as no rez.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/diy-speakers/17489-would-foam-good-walls-diy-cabinet.html

Hello Dr. H

It seems to me that there are several different types of damping materials that can help speaker sound quality: (1) polyfill, wool, foam, etc., material intended to abate reflections of sound waves from the interior surfaces; (2) materials intended to stiffen the structure, or damp structural vibrations.

No Rez, dynamat, actual structural bracing that would be screwed or glued to the existing cabinetry, falls into the second category; felt, wool, polyfill, foam, fall into the first.

I doubt more, or different "padding" makes much of an improvement......otherwise Monster would offer it, along with their other audio enhancing products.

fredk, you may need more popcorn.

scrabble scrabble...

Dang, your right. I'm out of popcorn.

::runs away looking for popcorn::

The OP must be keeping busy with dance night(s)...