Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Small Den System with Axiom M3ti's

In reply to:

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pmbuko wrote:
What works for me is quality -- regardless of advertising. I don't drink Coors or Bud unless someone hands me a can/bottle.

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I agree on both accounts. Bottlehead has a great reputation for quality. Their website could be black and white for all I care. But some people are sucked into marketing tactics. Car dealers are the worst IMO.

I'm a home brewer so I drink my own had crafted beer. There are a few micro-breweries in my area that make a good ale or two. I won't comment on Coors or Bud.

I need to ask a non Axiom speaker question. Hopefully this does not violate any board rules but I don't think it does. A friend told me of a company called Home Theater Direct. They offer very inexpensive speakers that might just accomplish what I'm trying to do with this den system. I'm trying to do this "on the cheap". They have a two bookshelf speaker systems that seem to compete with Axiom. They have a Level 2 for $139 vs. the M2ti for $280. And a Level 3 for $229 vs. M3ti for $300. Has anybody listened to these? If so do you care to comment? How can these speakers be so cheap? Are they junk? What blows me away is the fact that these have real wood veneers too (not vinyl). They "look" pretty good.

Well I guess nobody has heard of them. My friend is going to pick up a set in January. I guess I'll wait to hear his set up. I'm not in a hurry so that's good.

TRG, I would encourage you to buy/audition some Axioms or some other highly regarded internet speaker at the same time. It is conceivable that your friend has found the next company that will join Axiom or Rocket or Ascend as a company that produces great sound at a low price - but it is much more likely that he hasn't. I don't know your financial situation, but for most people it's worth the cost of the return shipping to have peace of mind about the system.

I was only able to find one review of the HTD speakers -- they seemed OK, good value, decent imaging but weak center and "wimpy sub". Good for the price though...

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_1/htd-level3y-1-2002.html

The same mag had reviews of a couple of Axioms but nothing directly comparable.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/axiom-m60ti-speakers-3-2004.html

On the level IIIs it looks like the finish is "cherry paint", not "cherry veneer", although that might have changed since the review.

You can't really compare just on driver size (eg. comparing prices of level 2 to M2 because they both have 5.5" woofers); you can see 100:1 price range for the same driver size along with a very wide range of performance. At first glance the HTDs look to be less expensive and less good than Axioms but reasonable value.

The other thing to consider for a low budget den system is a GOOD moderately sized sub and 2 good bookshelf speakers playing Dolby Surround instead of 5.1. Maybe Axiom M2s and an EP-175 or HSU STF-2. If I had to choose between a 2.1 system with a good sub and a 5.1 system with a crappy sub I think I would lean to 2.1. Another option to consider if you want something decent but below the Axiom price range is the HSU Ventriloquist system.

Foghorn - Thanks for the advice. I already own an axiom system with M22ti, VP100, QS4 and HSU vtf2. I am thrilled with the combination. I might order the axioms and HTD's at the same time and do a side by side comparison as you suggest.

Bridgman - This is for music only so 2.0 or 2.1 was the plan all along. I was thinking about the M2's as well because they are reviewed as having better midrange and vocal characteristics. I listen to a lot of jazz so this is of interest to me.

I may put the system together without the sub at first and see how it sounds. Then I can save up and get a sub later. A lot of the listening will be near field while working on the computer. I'm not a real bass freak with music anyway. The whole idea of this is to get the best sound without paying a lot of money. But I know that the speakers are a very important part of the mix.

Speaking of subs, does anybody have experience with the DAYTON 10" 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer that partsexpress sells?