Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M22 --- are they really that good???

Hello I am new member here...I currently am running a complete Polk Audio (RTi70 as mains) set up but I am not happy with the Polk center (CSi30) or the surrounds (FXi30)
I must admit the QS8 seem to be the best all around surround speakers on the market and I think their unique design would be ideal for my room set-up (couch up against wall, small room)...For me the surrounds will dictate what speakers I will purchase...My question are the M22 really that good and is there anyone in the Lima, Ohio area that owns Axiom so I can demo

The closest person I can think of is Jack (Ajax), in Cleveland. That's quite a drive, though.

Yes they are that good and welcome to the forum. Not sure how far you live from Columbus, but "tweedleyD" has a pair of m22's.

I have the M22s as mains and QS8s as surrounds (over kill for my space, but prevents upgraditis). I am also in a small space. I live in a closet (read:studio) in San Francisco (have fun with the jokes Peter) and have the couch against the wall and the surrounds behind above my sitting position as side positioning is just not an option for me. They sound fantastic.

Oh, the M22s are really that good, but that is just my opinion. Send Amie an email and ask her if she knows of anyone near you that you could audition with.

jr

Hmmmm.
"overkill for my space"
So thats how you cure (or should I say remedy) upgraditis.?

I would probably end up getting a bigger space so I could upgrade more.

James,

A closeted existence in SF is not a laughing matter.

Yep. Amazing bang for the buck. Are there better sounding speakers? Yes, but how much do you want to spend?

Rich

You know. It's sick, but I have a strong urge to get a larger place (then a larger better sub!).

jr

BigNorm,

I am probably the only person here that owns Polks and M22s. I have RTi8 fronts, CSi5 center, and FXi3 surrounds with a Velodyne CHT12 sub. I get the impression that the RTi8s and FXi3s are just new (and improved?) versions of your fronts and surrounds. My CSi5 is both newer and an upgrade from your center. I use my M22s for a stereo in a different room with a Velodyne CHT8 sub. I think the RTi8s and the M22s have a very similar sound (in terms of detail) with the Polks sounding a little more "forward" which I like - but I also like the sound of Klipsch speakers (the Polks are not nearly as forward as Klipsch, though). I think of the M22s as a great $400 bookshelf speaker - but I think it is unfair to compare it to a tower like the RTi8 because it can't compete at the low end with a good tower speaker (that costs $800/pair). So overall, I think that Axiom and Polk both give good value for their money - with Axiom probably doing better in that regard because they sell direct. I think the fair comparison is the RTi8 to the M60 - and I suspect that the M60 is better. So, now that I have been really longwinded - I would not consider the M22 a significant upgrade from what you have unless you have gotten to really not like the sound of your current system.

On the surround front however,....I'm not impressed with my FXi3s and I suspect that the QS4s and 8s are significantly better speakers. So, what I would do if I were you is to get the QS8s and try them with your current system and if you really like them consider an Axiom center. Then if the RTi70s don't work well with the rest of the Axiom stuff you might get Axiom fronts. Do you have a sub? If you don't you will need towers up front - or you can get a sub with the M22s.

Very well said Foghorn.