Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom / Paradigm comparrison

I would like to get some opinions on a speaker comparison from you guys. I have been looking at receivers and speakers for several weeks and reading everything I can get my hands on. I have changed my mind several times especially on receivers. I feel that I have finally settled on my new receiver and it is the Marantz SR8500. I am hoping some of you guys can give me some insight on my speaker choices. I seem to get different opinions depending on what the person giving the advice owns. I have really liked the Axiom speakers from the start and every time I start thinking in another direction I always seem to end up back on the Axioms.

I have been looking at the Axiom Epic 80 500 set up and I really like the look and reviews I have read on them although I have not yet had a chance to listen to them. I have a friend that lives up north that swears by them and is actually the one who turned me on to them.

The other speakers I have been told to try to audition are the Paradigm monitor series and reference series. I looked and listened to the monitor 7's with the corresponding surround speakers. They sounded pretty good but I am still not sure they can hang with the Epic 80 500 set up. I have been told that the Axioms better compare to the Reference or studio series. These are a good bit more expensive than the epic 80’s but if they are better I may go take a listen to them.

So if anyone has any insight on these comparisons please fill me in. Also do any of you know if the Marantz SR8500 will handle the 4-ohm load of the M80t's? If it can’t I plan on getting a couple of Outlaw 200 to power them. I may go that way anyway but would prefer to go that route later due to the amount of cash I am getting ready to drop on the Marantz and Axioms.

Please share your thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks

Hi moorejh,

The Marantz A/V receivers will generally not drive the 4-ohm M80ti's without current limiting (very limited power output). The A/V receiver brands that will drive them without difficulty in moderately large rooms (4,000 cu. ft) include Denon, H/K, and NAD. If very high sound levels are required in bigger spaces, we recommend at least a separate power amp for the main left and right channels (the M80ti's) capable of high power into 4-ohm loads.

If huge spaces and very high SPLs aren't a requirement, the M60ti's are an easy 8-ohm load that your Marantz would drive. Tonally, almost identical to the M80s, with only slightly less peak output and deep bass capability.

Paradigm are decent speakers, but the M80ti, M60ti etc. are generally more neutral and accurate than the Monitor series. The Axioms are comparable to the Reference Studio models (I think the Axioms are a tad more neutral). Paradigms tend to have a 3-dB or so hump in the upper bass that gives them a bit of a fat, "bloated" sound on male vocals, etc.

Regards,

Adding to Alan's post, we have a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 V.3's ($2300) in the same room that we had a air of M22ti's ($440). The M22ti's are a more revealing loudspeaker, with a larger soundstage.

We are going to be conducting some blind testing of the M-80's to the Studio 100 V.3's later in the summer, but it is a pretty safe bet the Axioms will do quite well.

The Marantz would serve as a pretty good pre-amp/center and rear power amp, with a good two channel amp added. Look at Outlaw Audio's mono-blocks. Audio Advisor has a nice deal working on the Parasound HCA-1500, too. It is rated 315 WPC continuous into 4 ohms, and they have it on sale for $749.

OR ... Send Neverhappy a PM, he will be trying the NAD T-773 out with his system, and it looks to be an EXCELLENT 7 channel receiver for a street price of $1300 - you could sell the Marantz and go with a "one box" solution with the NAD.

If you do a search you will find several people have commented on Axiom / Paradigm comparisons but I don't think there have been any definitive comparisons yet. [EDIT] Sounds like craigsub is going to fix that

One of my friends was looking at Paradigms; started with Monitor 3s, ended up looking at Monitor 7s. Liked the sound until he listened to Studio 40s (the same speaker in the Reference line) at the same store -- the Monitors sounded pretty muddy by comparison.

I was looking forward to him getting the Studios (even Studio 20s would have been pretty good) so we could A/B but he ended up ordering Axiom M22s and hasn't looked back.

Dang, no chance to compare 'em ;(

If you are running without a sub the Paradigms do put out more bass than the corresponding Axioms. [EDIT] As Alan points out, this isn't always a good thing.

Paradigm does make some real nice speakers, for sure, but it does seem like you have to go to the Studio models to get the same kind of clarity as the Axioms have.

I agree, a search for "Paradigm" should bring up lots of posts on this subject. I will add that when I was demoing speakers, I felt my 60's perfomed overall better than some Studio's(can't remember which model) and B&W 703's.

good luck

In reply to:

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Adding to Alan's post, we have a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 V.3's ($2300) in the same room that we had a air of M22ti's ($440). The M22ti's are a more revealing loudspeaker, with a larger soundstage.

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Now that's saying something when a bookshelf can perform that good.I will interested on your thoughts of the M80s for sure.

I auditioned Monitors 90s before I ordered the Epic 60 500. I upgraded to M80ti's during the trial period. Not that I didn't like the 60's. Great speakers. Good range of sound and plenty of bass. My upgradeitis got the best of me therefore the 80's and Outlaw Monos. I now have a HT setup that has me reliving all my dvds and cds.

Plus, at some point, I may actually be able to spell "pair" ...

I read right through that,didn't even notice it.

I listened to the monitor 7s and studio 20s in a B&M. I really wasn't that impressed with the 7s. I ordered m22s unheard because of advise I received at this board and at others. I made the right choice. If you would order the m22s and your tastes are similar to mine, you would have a difficult time returning them. Return shipping would be maybe $25. That's not alot to pay when your considering a pair of $2300 floorstanders. I may be wrong, but Axiom probably has an upgrade policy if you need tower speakers.