M2 v2 Oak Satin TEST SPEAKER (pics)

DISCLAIMER: This speaker was a test of the new packaging of the VS series from a cold climate to a warm one. The finish may not be indicative of the current finishes, so please keep that in mind. In my opinion the test was successful as I found no visual indication of any effects during shipment.

I have been working with wood for over 45 years now and was very anxious to see how Ian and his team would accomplish producing a line of wood veneer speakers using the same speaker cabinet design, since none of the Axiom line have four simple corners. The more I thought about the complexities of doing this with veneer the questions continued to increase, to the point of deciding to make a trip to the factory (Dec/05) to see how it would be accomplished.
Axiom has managed to replace the vinyl with wood so well that it has the same seamless appearance, as a wood worker this to me is far from a simple task, but Axiom has once again done an amazing job. Any person that has a love of wood now has that option with the VS series, and considering the additional labor cost, the additional cost is more than worth it once you see a VS speaker.

Personally I give the VS series a FIVE STAR rating and to all at Axiom a congratulations on what I expect to be another product that will receive many awards. Also for Joe goes my deepest appreciation for all of his time and effort he devoted to making the experience of purchasing any of this new line a very personal and memorable one for any customer.

Very nice.

Beautifull

Wow, looks great. They did do a fantastic job!

Makes me really wish I had all my speakers in a custom finish. Although I need to remember they still sound the same. I can't justify paying return shipping on the M80s, 4 QS8s, VP150 and 2 EP500s just for the nicer finish.

But the more I look at the finishes, the more I can't resist...

Wow. Looks like the front 3 sides are all made out of one piece of wood.

Very nice.

However, I don't really like the grill on at all. Having the grill off really makes the speaker look better.

And, what was the beginning line all about? I'm confused. Are you testing shipping for axiom? Why would a VS series speaker be packed differently?

The link below will take you to the thread with pics of the factory, you will find pics of the CNC machines that make the pieces for speaker, and a stack of the speaker panels ready for assembly. It is great design of fold and glue.

LINK

I'm jealous. That's a beautiful speaker! Can you smell the wood veneer? Silly question, I know...but I love the smell of wood!

I believe in the newsletter it said the new speakers would be custom wrapped or bagged and boxed.

In reply to:
And, what was the beginning line all about? I'm confused. Are you testing shipping for axiom? Why would a VS series speaker be packed differently?

Yes this was just a test shipment from the cold climate of Dwight to the warmer one here in Tracy CA. The M2 v2 was packaged inside of a clear plastic type bag, to add additional protection to the wood finish. (just my assumption). I would guess this was just one of several test things Axiom was performing

In reply to:
I'm jealous. That's a beautiful speaker! Can you smell the wood veneer? Silly question, I know...but I love the smell of wood!

Sorry did not even think of that since I'm accustomed to the wood scent so much.

But you could order some and find out for sure !

Hmmm, I wonder if Ian might want to test ship an EP500 in Rosewood to me for the new room?

LOL ....................................... I think Amie only sent me one speaker and not a pair to assure I would return it.

But it was in the oak that matches the house wood, think it was a hint.

Oh, so since this was a test shipment, you had to send it back, huh? That's too bad! What does the v2 mean? I guess I'm out of the loop here. Had they changed the crossover or something, or does it have to do with the new wood veneer?

The V2 has something to do with the tweeking of the crossover I believe.

Maybe it's just the small pics or the satin finish or simply a testament to the quality of Axiom's vinyl finishes, but I'm not quite as awed by the real wood veneer as I hoped I would be. And my wallet thanks me.

Maybe I need to see a high gloss veneer...

edit: I skipped Dennis's first comments about the finish possibly not being indicative of the finished products. oops.

It's real wood. It looks like real wood.

Why are you not "awed" by it?

This was the Satin finish which does not have a high sheen/gloss to it as well as a natural oak stain color. Perhaps you were expecting a higher gloss finish ?

Perhaps I was.

Looking at these my first thought was "the vinyl finish isn't that far off!"

Very good work indeed. I was wondering how they were going to work the corners as well. I'm impressed. Espesially with Oak. Oak isn't as easy to finish as people think. Amie was going to send me a couple for the 'cold climate' test, but I haven't got them yet. It's already spring here, so the cold test wouldn't be much of a test.

Perhaps Amie should send some out west.
They would arrive just in time for the 'wet weather and floatation season' test.
Bren and i can give that second plastic jacket a real run for its money!

In reply to:
Perhaps I was. Looking at these my first thought was "the vinyl finish isn't that far off!"

I thought the same thing. Maybe with the other types of wood veneers it will be more apparent.

Likewise. I'm sure in person it looks more like real wood than vinyl, but online in a picture it looks pretty much like the vinyl varieties. Again, I'm certain in person it's more impressive.

I can vouch for that. I just received two samples of cherry in nutmeg and bordeaux semi-gloss finishes. The pictures in the custom wood studio do no justice whatsoever to the real thing. While both look quite nice, the bordeaux is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

Also, if the grill mounts in Axiom's samples are indicative of what's used in the speakers themselves, the VS mounts are considerably more snug that those in the vinyl sample that I received a few months ago. With the vinyl sample, I could grasp the edges of the grill with my fingertips and pull it off quite easily, whereas with the wood samples I have to pry off the grills using an appreciable amount of force.

Also, to answer a previous question from sonicfox: in the samples at least, the scent of wood is very much present.