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Auction Win - M3v3s
#379449 07/02/12 05:18 PM
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During my recent visit to Axiom, I was able to hear a pair of M3v3s in the Amp Testing Lab & quite liked them there.

Yesterday I won the auction of a pair of Real Wood (Knotty Pine) M3v3s for my secondary audio system in my living room that will be driven by my Sony CDP & Stereo Receiver. This system is used mostly for ambiance music when people are over for a few drinks & I don't want them to be overwhelmed by my bigger Tube Amp, Denon SACD Player & AX2/Velodyne setup.

They will be replacing my vintage Koss M/80s from the 1980s (in opposite corners) that have served me well but need to go into retirement. Eventually the M3s will be placed on shorty stands & will remain mostly unobtrusive visually.

Many thanks to Axiom for having the opportunity to purchase speakers by auction at quite a savings - especially considering that these are Real Wood finish.

I did a little photo manipulating using Axiom's auction pic to 'virtually replace' the M/80s with the M3s.





Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379450 07/02/12 05:59 PM
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The only comment i have, would be to get stands that are about 4 feet tall for the speaker, so they are more ear level when you and your company are sitting.. You don't have to play them loud, as you stated their purpose is "ambiance music". But, might as well have as best possible ambiance music with what you have smile

Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379466 07/02/12 11:03 PM
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Good deals, are always welcome, enjoy!


With out Jesus Christ there can be no Redemption or Salvation.
Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379902 07/12/12 04:20 AM
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Got my M3s yesterday & set them up today. I used an old pair of DIY stands that have been languishing in the garage for years. I painted them the same colour as the room trim so they blend in quite nicely - which is good as they are not that pretty, ha!

I used the Axiom brackets to attach them to the front of the post which made the stands a little unstable. I shimmed up the front of the base to tilt the post back slightly & that seems to have worked well. The M3s are bigger & heavier than I imagined but the bracket allowed me to point them up slightly & rotate them into the center of the room.

Being an ambiance type system, they are set up in a rather unconventional manner. They are in opposite corners about 30'apart. Sitting in the middle on the green couch, there are some interesting sonic effects. In one selection, drums that pass normally across the front stage seemed to pass overhead - cool!

Sonically, the M3v3s are absolutely marvelous. Smooth, clear with an amazing amount of bass response. It's quite astounding how much quality sound comes from those rather small boxes. I'm more than pleased.

I found only a small blemish (unnoticeable really) on the veneer that obviously came from the stock sheet that Axiom was supplied. Debbie in the factory was indeed correct when she told us that the inspection process of the cosmetics is brutal. I certainly wouldn't have noticed this minute flaw.

Some pics:

Left channel (as seen from the couch)



Left Channel again



Right Channel in opposite corner 30' away



TAM

Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379907 07/12/12 05:45 AM
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Very nice. I ended up with M40s rather than M3s but every time I hear M3s I find myself thinking "these are as good as it gets...".

I've been agonizing over trying to find a good place for my "ground floor speakers" (M40s), but since I don't have an actual listening position on the ground floor maybe I'll try setting them up the way you did.


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Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379912 07/12/12 12:22 PM
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Looks good. They blend in nicely.


With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #379983 07/14/12 04:52 AM
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I ran 4 CDs through my new M3v3s over the past couple of days to give them a good workout:

Buddy Guy 'Slippin In';

Lee Ritenour 'Rio;

John Lee Hooker 'the healer';

Eric Clapton 'Clapton'; and

Peter Gabriel 'Security'.

'Security' is filled with strong, explosive percussion throughout all of its tracks along with a ton of really good low end stuff. It is a good demo recording for testing speakers.

The M3s are very impressive. Their bass response is so strong with corner reinforcement that I've actually backed off the bass level -3db on my Sony Stereo Receiver - amazing for a small box. Mids & highs in my room are clean & clear with absolutely none of the shrillness that is cited by some self-proclaimed audiophiles out there. Having one channel 12' from the listening position & 18' from the other, 180 degrees apart, makes for some interesting listening. I quite like it - talk about wide sound stage, ha!!

For most music, these stout little performers are all that one really needs. They easily fill my 3900 cu ft room with quality, moderate level sound with little effort. Even my wife agrees that I've made a great purchase...

TAM

Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #380009 07/15/12 12:17 AM
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I love Security for all its percussion. I would think that this is one disk where it would highlite the boost at 100 Hz. That may be why you have to back it off.


Fred

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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #380030 07/15/12 07:03 AM
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I listened to Marsalis & Clapton 'play the blues' CD today on the M3s - WOW.

Especially good was 'Layla' with the horns accompaniment to EC's blues guitar work - wonderful.

Some of the muted horns sounds throughout the live concert were freaking out my new feline - she jumped up several times & looked towards the far corner where the right M3 is hiding. Now that's imaging...

TAM

Re: Auction Win - M3v3s
exlabdriver #380031 07/15/12 07:13 AM
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And you're absolutely sure that just a pair of M3s in your alcove music system wouldn't be divine? smile


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