Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Axiom M60/80 - Paradigm Monitor/Studio Comparison

This is what I have:
Yamaha RX-V1900
JBL L880 - beech
JBL LC1 - beech
Axiom M3 V2 - oak natural

I just upgraded after almost 20 years, had sony 1090 receiver, Cerwin Vega AT-12, B&W DM600IFS, B&W 2001ZMF. I bought the Yamaha because it had many great reviews as a HT receiver and also for 2 channel listening, for 800 clams taxes included was pretty much unbeatable. What to do for speakers, well I read alot about Monitor Audio RS-6. I live just outside Vancouver and my choices were limited as to what I could actually hear. I listened to Energy RC-70, which I really liked, but not the $2500 + taxes tag. I also listened to Klipsch RF82, WF35, F3, I now know that I dont care for Klipsch speakers, when people talk about bright just listen to some Klipsch. Its been said that with Klipsch you either love them or hate them. Next up were the Paradigms monitors, I didnt bother with 7s or 9s, I went right to the 11s. I liked the 11s, not as bright as I expected, but didnt think they had much bottom end. I listened to the Paradigm studio 60s at the same place, for me I instantly liked the sound, but still didnt think they had much bottom end. I did find the Studios far far better than the Monitors. Well I saw an ad in the local craigs for the JBL L880, towers and center for $750. The speakers were about a year old, but not played very much and were mint. The speakers actually werent even broke in. They were actually brighter at first than what I wanted, but not nearly as bright as the Klipsch. So for $1550, I had a pretty kick butt system. I had seriously looked into the Axioms but for what I paid, I did good. What also kinda turned me off about the Axioms were the to bright reviews and after listening to the Klipsch, I didnt want to go there. I was still very intrigued by the Axioms though, they have so many glowing reviews. I was going to order either Axiom M2s or M3s for the rears. I again saw an ad in craigs for 6 month old mint Axiom M3s in real oak for $340. Needless to say I bought them, they are not bright at all. I thought they were very detailed. Some have said not much bass, they are bookshelf speakers. I find them to be an amazing little speaker. Had I known I probably would have ordered the M60s or M80s. Its kinda unfair to compare them to the JBLs, given their size. I do really like their sound. I want Axiom floors now.
Well anyways getting back to my original comparison. Ive read where the M60s or M80s are compared to paradigm studios. Somewhere in the forums somebody did a shootout with the M80s and paradigm monitor 11. It kinda seemed to be about a tie, maybe the edge going to the M80s. I know I really like the paradigm studio 60s. If I buy some M80s, I really want to be wowed. The M80s have also been compared to the studio 100s, thats the kind of wow that I want. The monitor 11s didnt really wow me, they were ok but not great. I know the M80 vs M11 was only one opinion or shootout. From all the reviews, Id kinda expect the M80s to be more like the Studio 60s at least, with better bass. Im just wondering if someone can give me more of a direct experienced opinion.
Sorry about being so long winded but just got into it.
Thanks

Throwing some of my impressions on Axioms, I recently bought the M22's, and after a long lifelong procession of "bright" setups (speakers and headphones), I can say Axioms aren't really "bright" as are commonly claimed. I know what bright sounds like (including a whole lot of Klipsch and Grado time), and these Axioms aren't bright like that. I feel they are crisp on the top end, but continue to deliver it all the way down to their natural bass roll off

Check the Hearing Things forum, first sticky at the top, there are a couple of forum members there that could give you an audition of said speakers.

Otherwise the M80s are closer to the Studio 100s, the M60 are equivalent to the Studio 60's, IMO.

BTW, I was one of the people involved in the Monitor 11/M80 comparison and the differences were small but so is the difference between the Studio 100 and Monitor 11 when A/B'd

The M80s and the Studio 100s are quite similar, imo. Both have strong bass with plenty of detail and clarity in the higher ranges. I haven't heard the Studio 60s but would suggest to you that they would lack the bass of it's bigger brother as it uses smaller drivers and 1 less woofer.

Ya Im not sure what elctronics was driving the monitor 11s but when I listened to the studio 60s IMO they seemed to sound substancially better. I think the studio 60s were being driven by a top of the line pioneer or yamaha, I cant remember which. I just remember the receiver had a little TV built into the front display. So maybe that made a difference.

The Axiom lineup is similar to the Studio lineup, for sound comparisons.

The differences you heard could very well have been the material being played. The 60s getting a better source(recording) than the Monitors so as to coerce people to beleive the Studio series is MUCH better than the Monitor series and spend more money, not that that would happen in a store .

In audio you have to have comparisions done as quickly as possible in the same room with the same source material otherwise the results are nearly meaningless, unless extreme differences are noticed, ie Bose to Axiom

Nice score on the M3s!!

I can see where some would find Axioms offerings bright. They do not roll off the high end at all, and the speakers are unforgiving of poor source material.

Most people like a rolled off top end, and there is a lot of not so well recorded stuff out there.

If you want more bottom end and are listening two channel, go for the M80 as it will get you into the mid 30Hz area (how low depends on your room and how much low end gain it adds).

:thunder: And then God spake: Let there be ReEQ to add roll off of the highs for those who are afraid of the true nature of sound! :thunder: :lightning: :thunder:

I auditioned the Studio 60's on the assurance that they were similar to the M60's. I did not do the A/B as that was not an option. I have a sub for the very low end and am quite happy with my setup. As a matter of fact, my wife left me at home alone last night and I spent the entire time enjoying my system. I have a mid level Yamaha and do not subscribe to the theories about the more powerful amps improving sound - at least not at the volumes that I listen - which, although loud, I try to keep below the hearing damage range. I also do not subscribe to the "break-in" arguments either.

I guess you've decided not to use a subwoofer? I think you should revisit that decision. It seems you're passing on some nice speakers because they don't have enough bass. Naturally, the larger Axiom speakers will have more bass than the smaller ones, but you'll never get the bass that's there without a sub.

Darcman I'm out in Abby. If you want to come have a listen to some M60's, shoot me a PM. I have a set as well as a vp150.

Hey GregLee ya dont get me wrong the paradigm monitor 11 and studio 60s were nice capable speakers, but I did expect a little more bass out of them, fairly nice sound though. Its all money so you get what you can afford, so I was going to get the monitor 11s. I now know the Axioms wont make my ears bleed and represent a far better value over the paradigm studios. I wasnt even thinking JBL L880, I just saw the ad, did some research on the speakers and for $750 for all 3 speakers they seemed to be pretty good bang for the buck. Do they sound as good as the Axiom M60/80, havent heard them yet but I doubt it very much. The JBL L880, I dont believe sound as good as the monitor 11, but they would have been almost double what I paid, just for the towers. The Axiom M60 and VP150 would have been just about double what I paid too. When I picked up the Axiom M3s I have to say I love them, for their size I think they sound more detailed than the JBL L880. The JBLs are just way fuller, I mean its hard to compare a bookshelf speaker to a fairly decent 4 way tower.
I live in an apartment, so I think a sub is out, I get complaints as it is. Thats why I want a speaker that has some good bottom end. I like the JBLs but now that Ive heard the M3s, I know I would like the M60s or M80s. Id probably happy with the M60s, but maybe the M80s would be better for me since I dont plan on getting a sub. I could just get the M60s but would I always wonder what if. In my experience, you never regret spending the extra cash but you almost always regret when you compromize.
Hey just for fun, Stereophiles Robert J Reina did a good review on the JBL L880, check it out. When I do get to hear the M60/80 I do fully expect them to be better than the JBLs, but for what they are theyre not bad.

Thanks

PS Is anyone going to watch the hockey game tonight Canada vs Ruskies.....my prediction, WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You don't need to convince me that JBL makes some very good speakers. I used JBL 4310s for 13 years, and several other JBLs.

Darc, if you are in an apartment bass from any floorstander speaker or subwoofer will get you complaints. The M80s play down to ~34hz and that kind of low end will go right through any wall, just the same as if you had a subwoofer. Once a sub is properly calibrated with the mains it won't be playing any louder than they are and will not add extra bass(loudness) for neighbors to complain about, at least no more so than a set of floor standers like M80s would.

Ya I just kinda think a floor stander is a better all in one solution. I didnt want a real rumbler of a sub, but I guess your right probably not much different than a floor stander. My JBLs actually go quite deep too. Just from all the review talk, the M80 is a slighty fuller sound than say the M22 and sub. Maybe I would be ok with the M60 then even. There really isnt that much difference price wise if one was to get the M22s, stands, and sub VS just getting either the M60 or the M80. Well anyways I know what your getting at, either way Im not going to be on my neighbors Christmas card list. Im just really tempted by the M80 but the M60 is probably great too.
You have the M80 and dont you like it more the M60? I know Id probably be happy with the M60 but maybe happier with the M80
My JBLs go down to a rated 30hz and according to the stereophile review were measured at 32hz, so I didnt want to miss anything either.

Is this an attempt to start the 60 vs 80 again???

I just liked the extra clarity, mids and upper range, the M80s have over the M60s at all volume levels. The lower bass extension is just a nice plus. And I do like my M80s over M22/sub, it does sound slightly fuller and in my new house the M80s are better than ever I doubt that lack of upper bass range in the M22/sub combo is really all that noticeable if not for A/B testing.

I guess at the end of the day, you cant really go wrong with any of the Axiom setups, I just think if I bite the bullet, I would lean towards the M80s. If I came across a smoking hot deal on the M60s or M22/sub, Id bite though. I saw another deal lately on a mint pair of platinum monitor audio speakers. Well they would have been about $2100 but I think theyre about $10,000 speakers. I want for home theatre use, so I thought where am I going to find the matching center and if I had to buy a center new, I think they list for about $5000 or something stupid like that. The platinums did look awesome though, just kinda out of my league.
Hey Jakewash, I guess you would probably recommend the M80 though

I recommend ordering both, A/B test them and keep the ones you like the best