M22 Review - 04/10/07 03:25 AM
Well, I've come full circle now. Here's the review, as promised. I couldn't find my old comments to reply to, so I'm forced to add a new topic. Sorry about that.
First off, let me state that the M22s are good speakers. In fact, for the frequency range they can reproduce, they are VERY good speakers. Clean, clear, smooth, and have tons of midrange detail. The highs are also quite detailed, and avoid harshness - even at high volumes. Axiom has avoided the "inexpensive speaker" flaws that impact the upper frequencies on most every pair of bookshelf speakers I've heard. It's obvious that Axiom uses high quality drivers, and has spent a good deal of time tuning them to neutrality.
In my initial "first impressions" post in this forum, I noted various differences in direct comparison to my previous speakers (NHT 1.3). My initial impression, while noting audible differences, was that the differences were not so big to sell me on these speakers. If I'm going to spend money, I want a big improvement. After spending some more time with the M22s, I decided to do another direct comparison, only this time I bypassed the receiver entirely.
My NAD 5000 CD player (yes, it’s dated, like almost everything else in my setup) has a variable analog output. I had planned on listening to the M22s without the subwoofer, so rather than going through the setup on the receiver to set the mains to ‘full’, I decided to bypass both receiver and subwoofer. I ran cables directly from the variable output to the Rotel mono-block amps, controlling the volume with the CD’s remote control. The difference was immediately heard. I’m not talking a small difference, but a slap you in the face difference. The improved clarity, soundstage, and transparency from bypassing the receiver was like removing a blanket from the speakers (okay, slight exaggeration). There is no question that the receiver is now next on my hit list.
With my new direct setup, I compared the NHTs and the M22s. All my previous notes on the differences apply, only they are now more pronounced. After switching from the M22s to the NHTs, the most immediate difference heard was a “hole” in the midrange. In fact, the NHT speakers sounded a bit muffled compared to the M22s. The detail produced from the M22s far surpassed that of the NHTs, and did so without becoming harsh or unbalanced. My previous comment that the M22s would benefit from higher quality front end electronics was absolute correct. The more pure the signal, the better they sound. I noticed that the NHTs did not benefit nearly as much in the transition to my direct setup.
Speaker placement is crucial with the M22s. The soundstage was disjointed until I found the precise height, toe-in, and speaker distance. Height seems particularly important to soundstage characteristics. At one point, after playing with speaker position, I leaned forwards and raised up in my chair (about 3-4” in height), and whala! The vocals solidified between the speakers, rather than bouncing back and forth between speakers. There is definitely a sweet spot with these speakers. Be VERY careful on stand height with these. A couple of inches off and you lose a good portion of your imaging, and the soundstage gets a bit disjointed. In the sweet spot, they sound very good, putting forth a fullness I hadn’t heard until I got everything right this time around.
I like the way these speakers don’t bloat the bass. They play down to 65-70Hz, and that’s it. The do this very well, then roll off sensibly. This makes mating to a sub a lot easier. Most bookshelf speakers have a bit of a mid-bass bloat to try and compensate for the lack of bass output. The Axiom designers get extra points for not going this route.
The M22 speakers sound better than any $500 speakers I’ve listened to. The level of detail and midrange clarity is exceptional for this price range, but I still feel that _something_ is missing in the presentation. Having spent time with the Thiel “sound”, I fear that upgradeitis will hit again. As good as the M22s are – particularly at their price point – they come up lacking in comparison with the (far more expensive) Thiel speakers in a few areas that are important to me. I’ll be the first to admit that this is an exceedingly unfair comparison, but this is my ultimate goal (I was looking for that 90% mark with the Axioms, but didnt' quite get there.
Compared to the host of speakers I’ve listened to at the hi-end shop (and elsewhere), I’d put the Axioms pretty high up on the list. They beat the B&Ws I’ve heard where it counts (600-series stuff), and within the same frequency range the M22s are capable of reproducing, they match the best Paradigm speakers I’ve listened, lacking only a bit in the overall soundstage and dynamics when compared to the very best Paradigm models. They sound not too dissimilar to the Focal speakers I listened to a while back. This is high praise for the M22s. I can certainly recommend them with confidence to anyone looking for bookshelf speakers.
The short of it is that these are impressive speakers for the price. They do represent a significant upgrade from where I am now, but for music, I'm still holding out for the Thiels across the front. Perhaps I’ll buy QS8 surrounds. After hearing the M22s, I think it would be a decent enough match for surrounds – even multi-channel music, and would be a lot less expensive, and more envoloping, than using SCS3s or SCS4s for surrounds.
To sum up my experience with the Axioms, I can only say that I’ll miss them every time I fire up my system to listen to music. The NHTs were decent, but I now find them lacking. When considering the $460 price ($470 now), I have no real criticisms for the M22s. In their price range, I haven't heard a speaker that can match them. Only when comparing them with speakers many times their price do I notice anything lacking.
Very well done, Axiom. Thanks for the trial.
Axiom support people get high marks, as well. This is a quality company that sells a quality product.
First off, let me state that the M22s are good speakers. In fact, for the frequency range they can reproduce, they are VERY good speakers. Clean, clear, smooth, and have tons of midrange detail. The highs are also quite detailed, and avoid harshness - even at high volumes. Axiom has avoided the "inexpensive speaker" flaws that impact the upper frequencies on most every pair of bookshelf speakers I've heard. It's obvious that Axiom uses high quality drivers, and has spent a good deal of time tuning them to neutrality.
In my initial "first impressions" post in this forum, I noted various differences in direct comparison to my previous speakers (NHT 1.3). My initial impression, while noting audible differences, was that the differences were not so big to sell me on these speakers. If I'm going to spend money, I want a big improvement. After spending some more time with the M22s, I decided to do another direct comparison, only this time I bypassed the receiver entirely.
My NAD 5000 CD player (yes, it’s dated, like almost everything else in my setup) has a variable analog output. I had planned on listening to the M22s without the subwoofer, so rather than going through the setup on the receiver to set the mains to ‘full’, I decided to bypass both receiver and subwoofer. I ran cables directly from the variable output to the Rotel mono-block amps, controlling the volume with the CD’s remote control. The difference was immediately heard. I’m not talking a small difference, but a slap you in the face difference. The improved clarity, soundstage, and transparency from bypassing the receiver was like removing a blanket from the speakers (okay, slight exaggeration). There is no question that the receiver is now next on my hit list.
With my new direct setup, I compared the NHTs and the M22s. All my previous notes on the differences apply, only they are now more pronounced. After switching from the M22s to the NHTs, the most immediate difference heard was a “hole” in the midrange. In fact, the NHT speakers sounded a bit muffled compared to the M22s. The detail produced from the M22s far surpassed that of the NHTs, and did so without becoming harsh or unbalanced. My previous comment that the M22s would benefit from higher quality front end electronics was absolute correct. The more pure the signal, the better they sound. I noticed that the NHTs did not benefit nearly as much in the transition to my direct setup.
Speaker placement is crucial with the M22s. The soundstage was disjointed until I found the precise height, toe-in, and speaker distance. Height seems particularly important to soundstage characteristics. At one point, after playing with speaker position, I leaned forwards and raised up in my chair (about 3-4” in height), and whala! The vocals solidified between the speakers, rather than bouncing back and forth between speakers. There is definitely a sweet spot with these speakers. Be VERY careful on stand height with these. A couple of inches off and you lose a good portion of your imaging, and the soundstage gets a bit disjointed. In the sweet spot, they sound very good, putting forth a fullness I hadn’t heard until I got everything right this time around.
I like the way these speakers don’t bloat the bass. They play down to 65-70Hz, and that’s it. The do this very well, then roll off sensibly. This makes mating to a sub a lot easier. Most bookshelf speakers have a bit of a mid-bass bloat to try and compensate for the lack of bass output. The Axiom designers get extra points for not going this route.
The M22 speakers sound better than any $500 speakers I’ve listened to. The level of detail and midrange clarity is exceptional for this price range, but I still feel that _something_ is missing in the presentation. Having spent time with the Thiel “sound”, I fear that upgradeitis will hit again. As good as the M22s are – particularly at their price point – they come up lacking in comparison with the (far more expensive) Thiel speakers in a few areas that are important to me. I’ll be the first to admit that this is an exceedingly unfair comparison, but this is my ultimate goal (I was looking for that 90% mark with the Axioms, but didnt' quite get there.
Compared to the host of speakers I’ve listened to at the hi-end shop (and elsewhere), I’d put the Axioms pretty high up on the list. They beat the B&Ws I’ve heard where it counts (600-series stuff), and within the same frequency range the M22s are capable of reproducing, they match the best Paradigm speakers I’ve listened, lacking only a bit in the overall soundstage and dynamics when compared to the very best Paradigm models. They sound not too dissimilar to the Focal speakers I listened to a while back. This is high praise for the M22s. I can certainly recommend them with confidence to anyone looking for bookshelf speakers.
The short of it is that these are impressive speakers for the price. They do represent a significant upgrade from where I am now, but for music, I'm still holding out for the Thiels across the front. Perhaps I’ll buy QS8 surrounds. After hearing the M22s, I think it would be a decent enough match for surrounds – even multi-channel music, and would be a lot less expensive, and more envoloping, than using SCS3s or SCS4s for surrounds.
To sum up my experience with the Axioms, I can only say that I’ll miss them every time I fire up my system to listen to music. The NHTs were decent, but I now find them lacking. When considering the $460 price ($470 now), I have no real criticisms for the M22s. In their price range, I haven't heard a speaker that can match them. Only when comparing them with speakers many times their price do I notice anything lacking.
Very well done, Axiom. Thanks for the trial.
Axiom support people get high marks, as well. This is a quality company that sells a quality product.
I despise leasing for personal use and my wife is cutting back to part time work, so now was the only time we could see for us to get a new car. Well, new to us, it was a lease back. Saved a few grand this way.