Ok, I know there are so many speakers, and so many threads covering some of this stuff. I have listened to the Paradigm Monitor 7's, and loved the seperation of the music, and how clean, accurate and warm they sounded.
In another store, I listened to the Polk Monitor 70's (and why do these speakers have almost the same name?), and I liked them, but not as much as the axiom.
What other speakers are out there at the pricepoint of the M60's that are worth a listen.
I'm stilling trying to find someone in the Phoenix, AZ area that I can get a listen to the axioms.
Tough call. I never had the cahnce to listen to the Axioms before I dropped a chunk down on my M60's, VP150. and QS8 setup. From my research (which I had to do a lot since I couldn't listen to Axioms and wanted to be confident about buying something I hadn't heard), you are right in thinking that the Axioms are a more accurate and better value than the Paradigms and Polks that you mention. A bunch of my Parasigm info comes from my brother-in-law who had me sold on Paradigms a couple of years ago, but even he, a die hard Paradigm fan, switched to Axiom. He had the Monitor 7's and went with the M60s and thought that they were considerably better. It is too bad that I have not been to his house (he lives way too far away) since he got the Axioms, but it sure helped getting his feedback.
As for the Polks, I listened to them at a local shop, and I was not overly impressed. They were a lot better than my last set of speakers, but then again, those were KLH's from 1992. Just about anything sounds better than they did. I just expected to be blown away by the Polk Monitor 70's, but I wasn't...
As for other competitors, good luck. I know that you can find better products out there, but not for the price.
Hey Laring, by all accounts the M60's sound very much like the B&W 703's. Give those a listen and you'll have a good idea of what you need to find in a sub 1,000 tower to match the M60's ( its going to be a hard task ). I've heard the M22's ( and waiting for M60's ) and they really are as good as people say.
As far as competitors I don't think you will find anything that can equal the price & performance offered by the Axiom line in any retail store. Other online competitors would by Rockets by Onix, Ascend speakers. I haven't heard either of these but others may beable to comment.
Cheers, Jag
Laring,
If you wanna give the B&W's a listen, I would recommend this shop in North Phoenix. It's part of the Desert Ridge shopping plaza. I believe the name of the place is "Sounds like Music" or something to that effect. I've been there and they have very nice gear ranging from Krell, B&W, Rel, Velodyne, Marantz, Meridian, and Rotel. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Have you PM'ed "gibaholic" ?
From the "Auditioning Axioms in your area" thread :
Phoenix - M60s, QS8s, VP150 - (gibaholic)
Thanks for all the help and advice. I'll go over and have a listen to the B&W's today. I have 4 mission 701 bookshelves, and an old B&W bookshelf for my center now. I know it is kind of a patched together setup.
I'm hoping to do this in stages, since I know I won't have the $8k or so for the TV, receiver, speakers and DVD player (along with getting a nice in-wall entertainment center built) all at once.
My first thing is the TV. Then I'm hoping to get a HSU sub. Then maybe the speakers, and then the receiver. I figure the longer I hold out on a receiver, the better the receiver will be, since they change every 8 months or so.
I'm hoping to have all of this done over the next 12 months or so, but I would like to pull the trigger on the tv and speakers in the next 6 months (another 3 months on the TV, when the house we are building is complete, and then the speakers 3 months after that).
If you want to help my cause, let me know if you or anyone you know needs a highly professional web site built. That's what hopefully will be funding this whole thing (www.digitalsoybean.com is my site)
Thanks again for the info, and I'll let you know what I thought of the B&W's.
Larry
I don't think there ARE any......considering the... sound quality,... price,... service,... and custom finishes..... (most speaker companies seem to offer only black or some shade of cherry finish).
In fact, I sometimes wonder why for $400.00 dollars.... (or less) these days, what people expect...........egg in their beer?
It is kinda funny to picture all these people lugging all kinds of speakers home (in the lower price range), and then returning them because they don't sound good enough).
Seriously, ( unless maybe in the "furniture appeal" area), I think without going WAY up in price, the Axiom line has a huge advantage.
IMO, one would perhaps have to go to..(for example) Electrostatic type speakers.... ($$$$$$$$$$), to find an advantage over "box" speakers.
Jag,
Well I listened to the B&W 703 fronts, DS6 surrounds, HTM2 center and a Rel Q150 sub. WOW that was impressive. Granted, the total cost of that would be more than triple the price of the Epic 60 set up. If you are saying that the M60's are even in the same ballpark (let alone on the same level of sound quality, clarity and sepration) as the 703's, then I'm sold sight unseen/unheard.
I also listened to some Kef speakers that were twice the price of the B&W703's, but I wasn't nearly as impressed with those compared to the B&W, especially since the Kef's were even more money.
I'll try and see if I can have a listen around here, but worse comes to worse, I'll buy them and if I don't like them (which from all the good things I've heard, I don't expect to be the case) then I'll return them.
Thanks for all the feedback!
Sounds like a Plan!
Be sure to report back on how they work out for you. It always nice to hear how impressed new owners are. I can't wait for mine.
Good Luck, Jag
Jag had already mentioned it, base on what I read I think the best competitor to M60 is the Onix Rocket 750, if you get the B-stock they cost about the same as M60. If you don't mind bookshelf then you should audition Dynadio Audience 52SE.
But the customer service from Axiom is second to none, they never pressure you to buy their higher end stuff, nor would they ever recommend something you don't need. I wanted to upgrade from M2i to M22ti, Amie said no problem, and the upgrade was gladly sent my way no question asked. Then I found a woofer has dents on it, most people probably would ignore them but I wanted all woofers to be perfect, and Joe said no problem, he'll send a new woofer right away, again...no question asked, and guess what? it was here infront of my door in 2 days. Personally, I think the customer service alone worth almost half of my speakers cost!! sure, there might be better products out there at the same price point, but you'll be hard pressed to find better customer service. And no, I do not work for Axiom nor am I on commision, I'm just another very satisfied and happy M22ti owner. :-)
Axiom M60 vs
Monitor Audio Silver S6
PMC DB1 ****
Tannoy Sensys DC2
Magnepan MG12 *****
Paradigm Reference Studio 60
Triangle Zerius ****
Wharfedale Pacifix Evolution 40
Castle Pembroke
Usher Compass X-719
**** = my favorites
Laring,
Where did you demo that setup at?
I demo'd the stuff at Sounds Like Music in Phoenix, AZ. We are relocating out here, and I've been interviewing the past few days. So inbetween meetings, I've been hitting the electronics stores. Let me tell you, the Sounds Like Music store is the MOST impressive audio/HT store I have EVER been in. I'm not just talking about the products, but how they have the store set up, it's really cool, and well worth the visit.
Saturn, man that is one impressive HT you have going on. I'm looking to do something a little like this in our new house.
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=7876&sort=1&cat=503&page=27
Not quite as tall and elaborate, but same type of concept. Having little kids, I could never leave my stuff within reach.
The Rocket 750s are excellent speakers, but users report they are different than the M60's. The 750s tend to be a bit laid back and the M60s tend to be a bit forward. Take some time to search here and AV123 to see what folks have to say relative to the differences.
I would agree with that. I lost my brackets for my QS4's and was willing to pay for new ones but they were sent, on charge both for the brackets and for shipping. Also, the glue was coming off the grills on my QS4's and again, they sent out new grills no charge. Both came in a matter of days.
You don't gotta tell me how impressive it is. I did recommend it to you... I've been to several audio shops in the Phoenix area and that place is by far the most elaborate and eloquently set up. I absolutely love those Rel subs. The thing is, is that they start at like $900!
In reply to:
Saturn, man that is one impressive HT you have going on. I'm looking to do something a little like this in our new house.
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=7876&sort=1&cat=503&page=27
Not quite as tall and elaborate, but same type of concept. Having little kids, I could never leave my stuff within reach.
Thanks for the comments. I have a dog and I know its not the same but I had to child proof the room nonetheless. The entertainment unit you have is outstanding. My fiancee with want something like that look in the room I have my stuff. I better not show her your post.
Just my opinion, but I think the Paradigm studio 100's are more akin to the M80's than the 703's. M80's and M60's are suposed to sound about the same. But actually, all have their own unique sound. For the money, it's pretty damn hard to beat Axioms though.
Laring:
The pic on my site was the old setup. I just updated what I "currently have at the moment".
...waiting to get thrashed by Demasonic again...
Saturn,
Your Yoda photo is nearly identical to mine. Funny how we both decided on that same frame. It does allow one to see how crisp a projector can be.
Greg
Is that an image from the 'Coral Reef Adventure' trailer I spy?