Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater A test question...

I have been looking at the Axiom, Ascend and AV123 sites... It may be that the M80 would not be a right speaker for this test... an Ascend 5 channel system using 340's for the fronts and 170's for the backs, with mounting gear, is about $1300 (including stands for the 340's) ... for the Axiom 60 package, about $1415 w/o a subwoofer... and the Rocket 550 Package (for series II) would run about $1500...

It seems the M-60 as a package would be closer in line to the other two packages...

SO... What does the group think...

M-60's ? or M-80's ? maybe even the M-50's ?

I'm voting for M50s.

kcarlile... Is that better ?

Well, I've not heard the 340s or the 550s, but just off the top of my head, I'd think the 60s would be the right choice. If you were doing the Rocket 750s, then I would think the 80s would be the right choice.

By the way, Curtis. I, and others with whom I've talked, are knocked out by the matching stands for the 340s. What a great idea, and attractive to boot. You've heard me say that one of the things that bothered me about Ascends (actually, since I've never heard any, it's the ONLY thing that bothered me about them) was their appearance. I want you to know that I'm seriously rethinking that position now. Please pass the word to the powers that be, that they done good, will ya? Thanks

I don't really know. I've never heard the M60s. I've compared the M50s and the M22s, and they definitely had a different character. Yadda yadda yadda M22s similar character to M60s yadda yadda.

I just wonder if the M50s would be more to your taste.

Or if they'd get slaughtered.

Just to balance Ken out (ha!) I'll lobby for the M60. Alan Lofft is on record saying that the M60 has a similar tonal character to the M80. Apparently, the M3, M40 and M50 are similar to each other, and somewhat different from the other Axiom models. Most discussion around here seems to center on the M60 as the model of choice; obviously, I don't know whether that is because they are more popular, or because M60 owners seem to gravitate towards the forums in greater proportion.

That would be a very valuable review, IMO.

I also vote for the M60's.

Craig...can you check on the pricing for the RS550MK2 package pricing. From looking at the packages the website, the "on sale" price for the discontnued classics is either $1349, $1549 or $1649 depending on center and surrounds. There is no package pricing yet for the RS550MK2 and I think it would be a fair amount more judging by past sales at AV123. Their sales are very enticing.

The RS250MK2 package is either $1299 or $1599.

A lot of choices on those packages. Those prices are without a sub.

Jack...the Ascends can now be ordered in semi-gloss colors as well. Still not attactive to some....but an option...and does add to the cost. They are working on wood veneer as well.

Curtis - I used the $1349 Package, and added $150 for the Mark II ... in a package price, that will be pretty close... and I guess it is a safe statement that someone looking at any of these packages would figure that $1300 to $1600 is in the "comparable" range...

Also - If the M-60's and the M-80's have a similar sonic signature, the M-60's make even more sense...

Hopefully we will get more people joining in here...

OK. But that $1349 is a sale price, not just a package price.

Totally agree on the M60.

So lets get started.

Curtis, My objection to the appearance of the 170s never involved the finish, or the fact that they were simple boxes. I have no complaints about either trait. There was just something about the proportions of the 170s that I didn't care for. There is no logical reason I can offer for feeling that way. It was just something visceral from the gut.

I look at the 340s and I find their proportions attractive. And with the stands, I think they look great. Appearance isn't that high up on my list of priorities when it comes to speaker choice. As long as they are above this illogical, totally subjective line between unacceptable and acceptable appearance, it's the sound quality that matters. The 303 with or without stands are above that line. For some dumb, illogical reason the 170s aren't. DUH!

Tom, you make a great point about the M60s. They do seem to be the preferred choice of many here, myself included. But, that doesn't necessarily mean they are the best Axiom speaker.