Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
#399574 12/27/13 03:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
K
regular
OP Offline
regular
K
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Hello all,

I've been looking for a pair of high efficiency speakers for my relatively low powered tube amp. The Axiom speakers seem to fit the bill. This is for a 2 channel, music only system - no home theatre.

However ... I have read in more than a few places that the Axiom house sound is somewhat bright. I don't mind detailed, or "precise", but bright will not work.

Is there any basis to this rumour that Axiom speakers are bright or harsh?

Thanks.

Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399577 12/27/13 03:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
Welcome KobeeDog.

I would describe the Axiom sound as being similar to both Paradigm and PSB which makes sense since they all did most of their research through the NRC many years ago. All of these companies have strove to provide a flat frequency response, true to the recording. The "brightness" you may have read on some forums probably alludes to the earlier versions, but in most cases is probably second hand hearsay. The best description for Axiom(or Pdime, PSB), imo, would be that they are revealing...much depends on what speakers you are already used to, sometimes an adjustment period is necessary when auditioning different speakers.
If you can, you might find someone near you that could let you audition some Axioms. Good luck!!


Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399578 12/27/13 03:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
Originally Posted By: KobeeDog
Hello all,

I've been looking for a pair of high efficiency speakers for my relatively low powered tube amp. The Axiom speakers seem to fit the bill. This is for a 2 channel, music only system - no home theatre.

However ... I have read in more than a few places that the Axiom house sound is somewhat bright. I don't mind detailed, or "precise", but bright will not work.

Is there any basis to this rumour that Axiom speakers are bright or harsh?

Thanks.



My Axioms sound very similar to my B&W's... I don't know if you've ever heard B&W's or not... but that's the most direct comparison that i can make.

I would not call them bright, i would call them accurate.

Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399581 12/27/13 04:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
K
regular
OP Offline
regular
K
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Thanks for the replies guys.

I am familiar with B&W speakers. I have owned both the 685 and CM5. I actually found to the B&W sound to be somewhat laid back and most musical.

Would you have any particular recommendation of one Axiom model over the other for stereo listening? My room is small; 10' x 13' and acoustically treated to a fair degree.

Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399587 12/27/13 07:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
Originally Posted By: KobeeDog
Hello all,

I've been looking for a pair of high efficiency speakers for my relatively low powered tube amp. The Axiom speakers seem to fit the bill. This is for a 2 channel, music only system - no home theatre.

However ... I have read in more than a few places that the Axiom house sound is somewhat bright. I don't mind detailed, or "precise", but bright will not work.

Is there any basis to this rumour that Axiom speakers are bright or harsh?

Thanks.


I think you will find the "Canadian house sound principles" used in brands like Axiom, Infinity, Paradigm, PSB, Revel etc to sound brighter than a lot of other speakers on the market that take different approaches to speaker design and voicing of their speakers. But that said IMO, I wouldn't categorize each of these companies speakers as sounding extremely similar to one another either.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399589 12/27/13 10:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
I'd, personally, object to likening the Axiom sound to B&W. I find the B&W tweeters painfully bright (except for their diamond series). I don't however, find the Axioms bright. My friend's M80s sound detailed but without any particular brightness. For a low-powered amp, and stereo only, I know of no better option on the market than Axioms. I'm contemplating buying some soon myself, but am waiting to check out two other brands before deciding. My needs are different, though, and I've a very large room. That being the case, I'm looking at the larger Axioms (M80 or M100), although I may yet be persuaded to go with a pair of M60s and subwoofers...

Happy shopping!


My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
Boomzilla #399590 12/28/13 01:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
K
regular
OP Offline
regular
K
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Interesting how the audio hobby can be so subjective.

I don't find the B&W sound, or the tweeters specifically, bright at all, as mentioned.

For a personal frame of reference, I look at my Monitor Audio RS6 ... those were bright speakers with way too much attack with the wrong gear. Also, the Klipsch RF-62's. Man, THOSE are bright. In a lot of ways, the absolute worst speakers I have ever had to endure.

Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399591 12/28/13 04:55 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
Originally Posted By: KobeeDog
Interesting how the audio hobby can be so subjective...the Klipsch RF-62's. Man, THOSE are bright. In a lot of ways, the absolute worst speakers I have ever had to endure.


And lots of folks just LOVE those Klipsches! I'm not one of them, but I can understand how they like the dynamics. Also lots of baby boomers in this hobby are starting to lose their high frequency hearing due to age. If that's the case, then the treble won't offend so much!


My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
Boomzilla #399596 12/28/13 01:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
K
regular
OP Offline
regular
K
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Very true... another group that seems to appreciate them are people who have only ever owned HTIB type bottom of the barrel stuff, and dynamics and sizzle of the Klipsches are an eye-opener (or is that ear-opener?).

I suppose I could live with the dynamics of the of Klipsch, but it was more the complete lack of mid-range. There was tons of top end detail, and gobs of bass, but really no mids, where most music lives anyway.

Re: Please describe the Axiom "sound"....
KobeeDog #399597 12/28/13 03:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
Back in the day, if a speaker was called "bright" it meant "detailed" which is what you get with Axioms. Unfortunately, some over at AVSForum have twisted this word to be a bad thing. Basically, they are "true" to the recording you feed them, so crap in you will get crap out. On the flip side if you have something that is engineered correctly, you will have a grin from ear to ear.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,939
Posts442,452
Members15,615
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 221 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4