Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Klipsch RF35 vs. Axiom Epic 60 -500

I am currently looking for a new setup. I have an old HTIB and went out one day and listened to the Klipsch RF35 system in a local store. I was completely amazed (obviously) since I was used to a crappy HTIB speaker system. It is the YHT23 yamaha system. As I kept doing research on the net I kept hearing nothing but positives about the axiom systems. I have a Yamaha 5240 reciever. Here are my questions.
Can anyone tell me the difference in sound between these two systems? Are they compairable or is one better than the other?

Will my Reciever be able to drive the selected system?


I really enjoy movies and want to really hear and feel the bass. Would the 350 work or should I definitely go with the 500. My room is 25x13x8 (listening area)The room is actually open into my kitchen. Does that make a difference?

I am a happy Axiom owner for 1 month.
Here is the post I started with basically the same questions.
Confused.
Yes, your Yamaha will work.
I listened to the same Klipsch speakers but did not like the horn tweeter.

Klipsch?!?!

Axiom beats Klipsch hands down. I find Klipsch to give me a severe case of listening fatigue with scratchy high end and a boomy low end and a recessed midrange.

Axioms are very clean and neutral.

I have been a Klipsch fan for many years but after looking around at all the local options (including Klipsch) and internet options I ended up with Polk for my home theater and Axiom for a stereo system. Based on that experience and 18 months of hanging around places like this and audioreviews.com (and 3 years of living with a roomate with Klipsch) I will give you my completely unscientific opinion.

Klipsch products have an "in your face"/forward/whatever you want to call it sound that I personally like because it almost makes you feel like you are on stage with the band or in the middle of the movie. It is not for everyone and since my wife doesn't like it we didn't go with Klipsch (I may have done so if left on my own). It is also not "neutral" which is what you really want a speaker to be.

Axiom makes as good a speaker as you can find for the money. I don't own their surrounds, but from what I can gather they may make the best surround speakers at any price.

Either system will seriously impress anybody who hasn't heard a great home theater system, but I would go with the Axiom system (even if left to my own devices) at this point unless you really love the Klipsch sound. Axioms will have more detail with a more neutral sound and better surrounds.

As for the sub, I have a Velodyne CHT 12 that I love and I can't imagine having "more" sub as I only have it turned up to about 25% max volume. Many here will suggest SVS or Hsu over Axiom (350 or lower) or Velodyne as Hsu and SVS seem to go lower with better detail, but my personal opinion is that there is a lot of sub overkill/excess. So what I'm really trying to say is that if you can afford the 500 and want a sub that has better sound and goes lower then get it because as near as I can tell from what I have read, it is incredible...but if you get the 350 (or any other good sub in that price range) I doubt you'd ever turn it up over 50% of the max volume or feel a need for "more sub".

I had a good friend that had the RF35 setup. They are nice speakers, but I do not put them in the same league as the 60's. If you like a lot of loud, hard rock, music the horn sound may be your thing, however, I prefer the more accurate and detailed Axiom speakers. Don't get me wrong, Axiom's will make any type of music sound wonderful. Depending on where you live you might be able to check the audition thread to see if someone would let you have a listen...Randy

I really like good accurate sound, but I don't want things to sound soft or muted either. If that makes any sense. I did like the sound of the klipsch, but compared to the axiom what differences would I notice?

I wish I could remember which sub it was, but I loved how it actually made me feel what was going on and not just hear it. It moved the air around me. I assumed it was because that sub had the ability to go to lower frequencies that the other one that I heard, but since I really have no background in this I could totally be wrong. Anyway, would I get this type of response from the 350 or would I definitely have to have the 500 for this effect?

I really would not call the 60's or 80's muted or soft, but I understand what your saying. I think they are very true and accurate. There are time when I close my eyes, that I feel I am on stage with the performer, it is so real. Also, you will understand words and hear things you never heard with other speaker brands, it is awesome. Just my 2 cents. As far as the sub, I like my 350, never heard the 500, but it does go a bit lower, and has more balls Also, the technology is new, no wonder it costs so much... I can tell you this, if a song has low low bass, I do hear it, and hear it strong with my 350. Also, for HT it rocks the house. However, there are a lot of good subs out there. I wanted the same finish, so I went with Axiom over SVS or HSU.

When my 80's come in I'm going to have to listen to some cds before I return the 60's. Get to listen to both in my home at the same time.
For HT....the EP500 is FABULOUS!!!!!

I will be curious for your evaluation of the 80s vs. 60s, having heard them and owned them both, there would be no bias. Please give us your take.

I would like to hear an opinion also.