I have had an Axiom speaker system for a couple months now. I originally purchased the m22 speakers to use as my front R/L speakers. Now I think I would like to replace them with a pair of m60 speakers. Since I have already blown my budget up on the original 5.1 purchase I am looking for a way to get these m60's. I am looking at the factory seconds as an alternative. I am just worried about what constitutes a small blemish and what a person could expect. I would love to save 10% but seeing a large scratch down the side of my $900 speakers would probably be disheartening. Anybody have experience with the factory seconds? Thanks,Scot
I had the same question as you a couple of weeks ago. I do not own axiom speakers yet (waiting to move and have a little extra cash) but Anouther member on these forums emailed me some pictures of the blemishes that were on his speakers. If you want you can pm me your email address and I will be more than happy to forward the pics to you.
Scot, this topic comes up very often and your answers might be found in the Search utility. I did a poll once and probably 70% of people said they use the outlet. I have purchased 2 7.1 systems from Axiom and have never been able to find a single nick or blemish.
I can assure you if you have a nick or blemish, it will be some minor that it won't be an issue.
I purchased a whole 5.1 set from Axiom recently (M22s, M3s for centres, QS8s for surrounds, EP500) and unless I look REALLY close in certain places on the speakers, you would think they are brand new. Nothing stands out as a blemish...most of the time its just a smudge mark on the rear serial number..
My search skills must be lagging. I search for factory seconds or blemishes and all that I get hits on is this thread
Thanks for the reply though,your experience is reassuring. T I have sent you a PM, Thanks.
What you want to search for is the
Factory Outlet To further add to my satisfaction with the Factory Outlet, I have ordered a pair of M2s to replace the M3s on centre channel duty, from the Factory Outlet again.
2 1/2 years later I still haven't found a blemish on my 5.1 setup. Believe you me they aren't going to send a speaker with a "huge scratch down the side" even from FO.
I've been on this board for years, and I've never read a post indicating that someone was unhappy with the condition of their factory outlet speakers. Ok, I think there was one person a few months back, but I think the problem was that a wire had come loose during shipping - which can happen to regular stock too. Quite the contrary, everyone seems astonished at the
lack of flaws from f/o speakers.
You have nothing to fear from factory outlet Axioms.
However, I've never ordered from the outlet. Patience is a virtue that I lack.
Thanks! I ordered a pair of m60's today from the factory outlet. Now what to do with these m22's
You should call Axiom back to see if you can trade them up for your M60s for a credit towards them as you have only had them for 2 months they will probably let you trade them in.
Very good chance, you should have called them first.
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However, I've never ordered from the outlet. Patience is a virtue that I lack.
After ordering from M2s from the FO, got the confirmation email from Noreen on Monday...man...I am having a HARD time waiting for these M2s...the more I listen to the M3 centres, the more I find that they are mis-matched with the M22s...I am to the point where I NEED the M2s...NOW!!!
Is all this waiting worth it to save $34 on the M2s??? SHEESH...Sorry to leave the M3 centre club bugbitten 
Let's not forget ctown's unfortunate FO order. It appears there are some not so nice outlet pieces making their way out, although his is the only really noticeable defects I have heard of.
I like these speakers and it would be cool if I could figure out how to integrate them into my existing system. Maybe as a second set of surround speakers with a switch to go between the m22's and QS8's. I don't know if that is a good or bad idea or if I am just crazy. Another idea is as presence speakers. Ju7st thinking out loud here
On another note the m60's in black showed a 6 week waiting period. Is this pretty much how long it usually takes or are they just allowing a good amount of buffer?
Scot, if you don't want to set up the M22s in a bedroom or elsewhere, why not simply use them as back surrounds? No switching is necessary.
unfortunately my viewing position (couch) is against a wall so back surrounds is not likely to work. How about presence speakers? Do they make a nice contribution to the sound? Setting up a second room with the m22's and a sub might make a nice alternative system. I do have an extra receiver and sub. matter of fact that sounds very doable
Presence speakers can add a lot or a little to a setup.
They mostly add to larger setups because it creates a more enveloping surround experience for bigger rooms.
It might be fun to play with them. The thing is since many DVD's don't have 7.1 coded into them sometimes the surround speakers are all sent the same thing...or sometimes little to nothing. It all depends on what your receiver decides to do. I know Yamaha has some great sound field programs built into it.
Hey, you don't know unless you try.
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Hey, you don't know unless you try.
That's what my mom said about broccoli.
I still haven't forgiven her.
Just curious Ohmen, why are you replacing the M22's with the M60's? My decision went back and forth before I decided on the 60's.
BTW, my FO 60's were perfect.
I am getting a little distortion at higher volumes. I'm hoping this will fix that. Also I just want to see what floor standing speakers sound like with my setup.
My couch is also against a back wall. I've found that my 'leftover' M22's sound lovely as rear surrounds, placed several feet to the left and right of the couch. Don't forget that the actual Dolby specs for speaker placement call for speakers to be at your sides to
slightly behind you.
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unfortunately my viewing position (couch) is against a wall so back surrounds is not likely to work. How about presence speakers? Do they make a nice contribution to the sound? Setting up a second room with the m22's and a sub might make a nice alternative system. I do have an extra receiver and sub. matter of fact that sounds very doable
I guess I could play around with the m22's as rear surrounds. I guess I was assuming the QS8's would be the best choice for the surrounds.It's going to be fun being able to mess around with my speaker configurations and all the while maintaining my matched speakers.
My speakers have ben shipped. It has only been 7 days. I was expecting the 6 week waiting period so this is an awesome surprise. This has been my week. Yesterday I was notified that I have won a Oppo 971 form the Audioholics website. I get home and my first ever SACD's that I had ordered were waiting and now my speakers are 5 weeks early. YEAH!
Wow... That kind of luck never happens to me (I don't think I've ever won anything anywhere). Maybe you should get a lottery ticket!
We hope to hear your review of your system pretty soon.
Oh yeah, I won $4 on the lottery ticket today.
I should really post those pictures again of my 'blemishes'.
Perhaps if Peter can host them more permanently than my temporary accounts.
Hmm, maybe i'll set up something with google mail.
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My speakers have ben shipped. It has only been 7 days. I was expecting the 6 week waiting period so this is an awesome surprise.
Someone must have missed their Monday morning coffee at the factory.
Or perhaps they got their coffee but forgot that it shouldn't be sitting on the factory floor near the glueing and finishing section.
What do they say about buying appliances? Never ones built on Monday morning or Friday afternoon? 
I received my m60's. I had convinced myself that m22's with a sub would be the same difference as floor standing speakers at normal listening levels. This is definetly not the case. I am so happy I got the m60's. I may have never known what I was missing. As far as factory second blemishes. I have examined them pretty carefully and I cant find the blemish.Couldn't be happier.
Nice setup! Because the M60s are rear-ported, scooting them away from the wall a bit will give them a little breathing room and will likely tighten up the bass.
I agree Peter, it is hard to tell from the pictures, but it appears they are pretty close to the back wall. Giving them a few more inches will help the low freq's filter into the room.
The backs of the speakers are 6 inches from the wall in this picture. I might be able to bring them out a couple more inches. They actually sound great where they are at. They are probably overkill for the room. The room is only 12 x15.
Scot, from the pictures it looked as if they may have been right up against the wall, but 6" is adequate to give the ports "breathing room". It shouldn't be necessary to move them.
I ordered my QS8s via the factory outlet. It was a 6 weeks lead time. Mine were in my hands in a little over a week. Haven't examined them closely for any blemishes yet.
Looked at my factory QS8s closely, couldn't find anything wrong even on close inspection.
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Looked at my factory QS8s closely, couldn't find anything wrong even on close inspection.
Isn't that awesome! I just wish I had known about the factory seconds when I bought the grand master speaker set.
Hi,
Just got my factory seconds M60v2 and after a very careful inspection by myself and a few friends, could not find a blemish/mark on them!!
They also arrived quicker than orginally stated on the order. Axiom quoted 2 weeks wait but the speakers arrived within 10 working days.
Congrats on the new speakers and Welcome to the forum.
