Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Thinking of making the jump: what can I expect

I have never found a good way to describe the difference between smaller speakers and M60-class speakers other than a "bigger" sound. It may be dynamic compression (smaller speakers play the peaks a bit more quietly) but not sure.

Based on all the people here who have heard/owned B&W 600 series I think it's a pretty safe bet that you will be very happy with the 60s.

Well, since everyone is so ready to spend more money than you are, I can say that I love my M50s. At my listening volumes, they compare quite well with Dennis (Tharkun)'s M80s. Once you increase the volume, of course... I have not heard the M60s or the B&W 60x speakers. However, I think the differerences ascribed to the M50s vs M60s are more minor than people make them out to be. The M50s need proper placement to get good soundstaging, but what else is new?

The main reason the M60 is recomended more often than the M50 is that the ratio of M60 to M50 owners is about 10 to 1.

The M60 is not "Better" than the M50, it is simply different.

Bottom line? Do you want an extreemly accurate speaker that will give you an unbiased representation of the recorded material-warts and all; one that may sound a bit too foreward, maybe a bit sibilant on some recordings, perhaps even a touch bright? "Brutally Honest" comes to mind for my understanding of the M60s presentation. Or would you prefer a sound that is a touch relaxed and more tollerant of less than ideal recordings? Do you enthusiastically listen to the music or do you critically listen to the speakers?

They're both great speakers, but for slightly different reasons. And while they both "sound" slightly different from each other, they both have that distinctive "Axiom" sound-whatever it is-and are in fact very closely related.

Now, see, I disagree here. The M50s are a little less forward, but not much at all, unless the M60s are way different from the M22s or M80s.

Thanks for all the input so far guys.

Snippy, just to be clear, cuase yeah $750 sound like a lot for bookshelves. That $750 figure was for the bookshelves and the center, so the complete front set up for $750 (601's/$400 + LCR60/$320 + tax). $750 for bookshelves would be alarming to me also.

And thanks Kcarlisle for finally addressing the M50 vs M60 debate. I understand that most may think the M60 is superior, but a budget is a budget, so I may have to go with the M50 just based on what I can safely spend with out sending the little lady through the roof.

Right you are, Ken!

I was trying to say that the M60s are thought to be by some as a bit too foreward in many instances. The only Axiom speakers I am familiar with in personal experience are the M3s and the M50s, and surprisingly, the M50s seem just a tad more foreward than the M3s. But far closer to neutral than I understand the the M22s M60s and M80s to be.

Not trying to get into a heated discussion about the various Axiom speakers, as they are all very great speakers. However, I would not consider m60's to be forward by any stretch of the imagination

OK!! This is the part where the M50 Posse would usually jump up and state excitedly "We Got Another One!"

But this is a time where jubillation may not be the order of the day.

The M50s will forever set the tone of what will eventually be a rather expensive final HT and music system purchase. Those of us who have M50s and are extreemly happy with them would absolutely hate to feel that someone is buying our beloved speakers only because of budgetary constraints, and not because it is something that they actually want!

But if you do go for the M50s, and are happy as we are with them, then feel free to join the M50 Posse! You will be member....um....number seven!!

From my Axiom owner polls. I realize not everyone has taken the polls, but this does show a trend. The m60 posse rules

M40ti 2% (5 votes)
M50ti 7% (18 votes)
M60ti 67% (172 votes)
M80ti 21% (54 votes)
AX3 (disc.) 0% (1 votes)
AX5 (disc.) 0% (1 votes)
Non-Axiom Mains used with other Axioms 2% (4 votes)

Hi Randy,

One of the things that kinda scared me off when looking at the M50/M60 question was the "Foreward" issue. It was even pointed out as the only real negative in one "Professional" review. I had, however, posted an open question on this forum addressing the "Too Forward" situation, and had absolutely no negative comments from the M60 owners who responded. Some other members, though, had made a few mentions of their M60s sounding too foreward in their listening rooms in independent postings. So there are a few owners and testers who, in their opinions, find it to be an issue. I certainly don't know from personal experience as I have never heard an M60. All I was doing was passing along a concern that I had obtained from others who have encountered this attribute.

It seems to fall down to where you like to sit at a concert-on the stage with the performers, or in the front row!

No offence was intended!
Rich.