Any rumors regarding M80 "v.3?"

What would be a possible area of opportunity where the next version might attempt to "up the ante?"

Based on historical trends, when might one predict the next version would appear?

In about 8 years or so... and probably just an accumulation of crossover tweaks and the like. I wouldn't expect any major changes.

I think that the changes between the versions of a single speaker model are usually slight. (with the exception of the recent ep350 subwoofer). I believe that the next product to "up the ante" from the m80 would have to be an entirely new speaker all together and not just a new version. I have heard no rumors about such a plan...

If you are thinking of purchasing the m80's and are worried about something "better" coming out I would say don't sweat it. The M80's are truly amazing speakers.

I went to the Axiom plant last fall and was sworn to secrecy about some of the "projects" that I saw. Re a V3 of the M80s, I can only give you a hint of the future....think, coffee cup holders(side mount of course)

I do consider myself a future member of the "M80 Posse" but I need to do significant remodeling before I have a room ready for a floor stander of that caliber.

I currently have M22 fronts and Algo rears as part of a 5.1 set up (in a smaller room) and couldn't be happier with the perfectly accurate and crisp reproduction they provide.

However, I'm hoping to be on a more aggressive schedule than 8yrs so I doubt any "waiting game" is in the cards for me.

I'm probably 8mos to a year out for equipping the big room- but I have been trying to keep up with whats evolving from my favorite speaker companies.

DefTech just launched a new Mythos speaker and SVS was hinting at new "M series" (pre-recession) so it got me thinking.

Axiom Audio, like many other sucessfull ID brands such as Ascend and SVS for example do not make a large number of products but the products they make are done very well. It is a wise business model. Even if a Axiom M80 v3 would be announced in the future I doubt the signature sound of the M80 would be changed (even at all). There were slight changes in the crossover from what I have heard from the switch to v1 to v2 which effect the sound of only a small number of instruments (IIRC). When you have a stellar product to begin with it is that much harder to upgrade.

m80 v3 sounds nice ,but id rather see a m100 whos with me ?

It really should be M120 to allow M60 owners to feel cleanly half what they could be.

m100 sounds pretty catchy

One thing that has made Axiom appealing to me over the years is what "Dr. House" mentioned in that, unlike most other speaker companies that will make a number of speaker lines in different categories usually based on driver differences and cabinetry AND of course, price, Axiom has stuck with a linear line of speakers, just in different sizes and an unprecedented choice of finishes, if you want them.

I have always felt in looking at so-called high-end "high priced" speaker lines in retailers, in my mind, much of what you are paying for, other than the mark-ups, is the fancy cabinetry.
I always wondered what an "audiophile" would say if that individual came in to my house to listen to my M80's decked out in a high gloss rosewood or piano gloss finish?
It would be interesting.

Yes, the M100 was maybe more what I was getting at.

Except the the M80 has 3 great drivers- and then doubles them up!

Where in the world do you go from there?

...Four of each? ...Anchor a sub on the bottom?

How about those McIntosh speakers with like 80 drivers? A little over the top don't you think? (though I don't doubt they're amazing)

How about a powered M80 for the v3? All these threads about what AVR can go with the 4 Ohm 80's... What if they had built in, 250 watt amps so all of the power from our 90-140 watt receivers could go to the array of 8 Ohm speakers that surround the mains?

My tentative plan is for 200 watt mono-blocks dedicated to the M80's so they stay well away from "Clip-ville" even if I get the urge to play "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" at ear bleeding levels or make my whole house resonate with Mstislav Rostropovich's Bach Cello Suites.

Thanks for the comments all.