I just read a review for the M80 v2. Next month I plan to purchase the Epic Grandmaster 350. What version is Axiom on for the M22ti, QS8 and VP150. I have not seen or read anything that indicates these might have been improved, redesigned since they first came out. Thanks ahead of time for any information.

A new version of any of Axioms' speakers haven't been mentioned in the forums. Do you have a link to the review?

.....hmmmmm.

Perhaps it could be said with some authority that the current version IS v2.

Seem to recall that years ago, the early M80 had a different tweeter/mids orientation/configuration.

Mark, the reference is probably to the SoundStage review.

Thanks for the link, John.

Interesting that the article states that wood veneers should be available mid-December!

I wonder when the change in the crossover was implemented

Uh, guys? Look at that picture. I'd say this was published a tad early...

Interesting. Ian? Alan? Amie? Did someone let the cat out of the bag?

It says December 2005, am I missing something?

Ians' favorite speaker.....at least for NOW???

that really was an outstanding review. and amazingly favourable. i sure would like to hear some M80Ti's to compare to my M60Ti's...i wonder how much of a difference there really would be???

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Interesting. Ian? Alan? Amie? Did someone let the cat out of the bag?

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I wonder what's going on here? Maybe something is in the works.

I wonder if they will allow current M80ti owners to upgrade the Xover...

That would be a little too nice. :-)

I'm pretty sure they would let you buy the new x-over, if you really needed it.

Sweet!!

Real wood finish……..!!

“…….and the speaker is available in more finishes, although there are still no real-wood veneers -- yet. According to Axiom, real-wood veneer will be available as an option in mid-December.”

OK, it’s mid December?????

I hope this isn’t a joke. It not, looks like I’ll have two sets of 80’s, and one with a real wood finish!

Well, now that the cat is out of the bag....... When Dennis & John (Tharkun & Bridgman) so graciously let me tag along during their visit to Axiom, we saw a real wood veneer prototype.

Holy Crap!! I am sure the real wood will trickle down to the M60's?? Now I do have something to really save my money for! But which to buy??

p.s. Hi Tharkun - you are up early.

Hi all,

The M80 v2 designation is already on the cartons and speakers if you order an M80 now. In the new year, we are eliminating the "ti" and "i" designations and going to the v2 nomenclature (I knew I'd be able to use that word at some point. . .ha!).

Nothing has changed in the speakers themselves.

Regards,

Alan
Same crossover?

Hi bray,

Yes, the crossover in the M80ti (M80 v2) has been unchanged for the past three years and a bit. Several ongoing changes were made in the crossover at that time.

It was time for a new review of the M80 at Soundstage.com because the existing graphs and the old review on the Soundstage site did not accurately reflect the tonal balance of the current M80.

Regards,

Regards,

I don't bother closing the Axiom window so it shows I'm here, but not always in the puter room. As for which speakers to buy, the 80s of course.

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...we are eliminating the "ti" and "i" designations and going to the v2 nomenclature (I knew I'd be able to use that word at some point. . .ha!).

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But, but, but ALAN! The V2 was a rocket!!!!!! (Sorry. I couldn't resist. )

Hi Ajax,

I wonder where Werner (Von Braun) is these days, now that we're speaking of the V2. Maybe he's alive and well.

Like you, I suspect, I'm fascinated by all that early rocket research conducted by Von Braun and all those brilliant Nazi scientists, who the CIA so cleverly spirited out of Germany at the close of the Second World War.

Regards,

I'm a WWII history buff. Done much reading, but not that much about the rocketry, or the scientists. I DO know there was a LOT of competition between us and the Russians to 'invite" the top German scientists to spend a little time in our respective countries after the war.

Dr. von Braun rocketed into the cosmos June 15, 1977, at the age of 65.

A mere youngster of 65........oh my!

I know! Scary isn't it?

I'm gettin' wood.

Well hopefully the real wood veneer part was true? Can you verify that please?

As Shawn mentioned, we did see an M80 sample in the wood well at Axiom. As for when, choices, and anything else I know nothing.

Alan: Dr. Von Braun died many years ago. Here in Huntsville, AL there is a civic center named after him. Most of the Nazi scientists that came here with him are also dead. Only a very few remain.

I guess that the bottom line is whether history will remember them for all the evil that they did with the V2 or whether they redeemed themselves by landing men on the moon.

Interesting question, I'd say.

I know that Alan is "sworn" to secrecy, but I am wondering if anyone knows the status of the new Axiom amplifiers???

I am still in the market for a new receiver/ seperates, so I am quite interested in what Axiom may be offering in the near future. I still haven't decided whether I will get a receiver, set of seperates, or use a receiver as a pre/pro and use the pre-outputs to drive a seperate set of amplifiers.

However, I am definitely leaning toward the receiver driving the seperate amplifiers.

Just another thing to consider.

But, the Sony SXRD looks OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear what Bug says about his new HDTV!!!!

mdrew,

Yep, the machinery to do the real-wood veneers is going in now. The veneers will be available as an extra-cost option, with really exotic veneers (koa wood, the one from Hawaii?) individually priced. When I was up at Axiom a few weeks back we had some test samples, with enclosures finished in real wood and different stains applied, brushed or hand-rubbed. It's amazing how different they looked.

I gave them a good sniff, which is my test of whether a finish is real wood or a convincing synthetic, like our regular finishes.

Regards,

Many Moons ago, I would also give a good sniff to any Hawaiian...ummm..."export" that I was looking into as well.

In the next week or so, I'm planning on getting several Ikea shelving units for my living room, as the finish is fairly close to my Beech Axioms. Maybe I should hold off on those shelves in case I want to replace my current Axioms with Koa?

Hmmm, I wonder how I'll get matching shelves then?

From what I hear, koa is pretty expensive. Might want to wait until Axiom gives some pricing. Hopefully it won't be so bad. I'd like to get some real wood veneered Axioms, too.

Hi Mark,

I knew someone would respond to my set-up line about sniffing the wood. . .ha, ha.

Regards,

Thanks. That’s excellent news. Looks like I have more ‘choices’ to make. Damn, just when I thought I had it all figured out. I didn’t really “need” the EP 600 over the 500 in my little 12 X 15 room. But real wood veneer covered 80’s would look much better in my living area. I’d rather spend the extra money there.

Any idea when Axiom will be taking orders and have pricing for this option?

I am excited for Axiom to offer real wood veneers. There are lots of folks who buy speakers based on how they look as well as sound. It should be a good market for Axioms. The good get better!

mdrew,

Try mid-January. That's the date we were recklessly aiming for when I was up at the plant. I quizzed Ian, and he said, "The machinery is here. It's just not up and running yet."

Mike Rogers would bring empty VP100 and VP150 enlosures into the office, finished in different veneers with four different kinds of stains on the same enclosure (done with masking tape I presume). We'd all gather round and offer opinions. There was an M60 enclosure as well, veneered and stained. Looked nice. Those are the only samples I saw.

Regards,

I'm not "in the know" when it comes to Axiom's business model, but I think this is a very postive thing, and should garner new interest in the company. However, I DO hope that the vinyl line will remain in porduction.

IMHO, one of Axiom's major selling points is it's affordability; the "bang for the buckj" factor. When I was buying speakers, there were others I found more visually appealing. But, because of my limited assets, I went with Axiom because I was reasonably sure I was getting performance comparable to those other speaker for a whole lot less money. There are many of us with Bill Gates ears and depression era wallets. I hope we won't be forgotten.

I agree with Jack, yet I'm also excited about the wood veneers. I think there are people out there that don't take vinyl-clad speakers serious, no matter how good they sound. This might expand Axiom's clientele in some upper-markets!

If I knew about the wood I might have waited for them. I guess I will have two systems in my home.

The veneer materials are more expensive than vinyl, but labor is about the same. I prefer to work with veneer over vinyl any day. I hate vinyl and can’t for the life of me get it set wrinkle free……

Start up costs will have to absorbed as well. But other than that, I don’t expect the costs for this option to be that painful. Hopefully under 15%.

I almost bought Rockets for their appearance. The wood veneer is a great idea. I’m very glad to see Axiom doing it.

Rest assured, the vinyl stays! Mdrew, as soon as you know what woods you are looking at, let me know and I'll try to get you some ballpark pricing. Things like Oak, Pine, Maple, etc we are starting to work with right now.

Amie, will there be a set pricing with the wood veneer speakers? Or will the price vary depending on type of finish? Thanks.

Oh my, this is some startling news. I'm never going to visit a certain non-Axiom message board again since us 'vinyl wrappers' will be the butt of jokes forever once the veneers become popular.

Even if the wood finishes were available when I bought my speakers most likely I would have gone with the vinyl. I for one put more merit into how it sounds than the finish. Of course I need to see at what premium the wood will cost.

Trade ins? 'Cause I could use some speakers that actually match the entertainment center...

Ken, that brings up an interesting point. It would be nice as an option to specify a certain stain - say Minwax #2126 (Driftwood) for example. That way you could easily match the other woodwork in your room.

Exactly. I'd like white oak with Early American stain. Quartersawn, please.

QS8's and EP500 in Birds Eye Maple to match my Quad's

Thanks,
Rob

I have seen lesser speakers in real wood at 5 times the price of mine. I am happy. Mine look good in my living room.

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I knew someone would respond to my set-up line about sniffing the wood

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Far be it for Santa to dissapoint! Ho-Ho-Ho!

>>Even if the wood finishes were available when I bought my speakers most likely I would have gone with the vinyl. I for one put more merit into how it sounds than the finish. Of course I need to see at what premium the wood will cost.

I would also have gone with vinyl, at least this time. I think it depends where the speakers are going -- in a living room or shared-use room the real wood finish is really nice, but in a "largely HT area" I think the vinyl is mighty fine and I would spend any extra $$ on "more speaker".

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I would spend any extra $$ on "more speaker

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Excellent point.

We have a kid friendly home. We made the decision years ago that we would not worry about what happens to furniture and fixtures when the house is full of people. Tonight the house will have 100-120 people during a 4 hour open house party. We tell our friends to enjoy themselves and let the kids have the run of the house.

bug: tomorrow is the day for that HDTV!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

WOW!!!! 100+ people in a 4 hour period?? You are really brave.

That's a GREAT philosophy, Doug. Have a really fun Christmas eve party. Sounds wonderful.

Our Christmas festivities made a sharp about-face this morning.

The oldest Grandson got up and questioned the multitude of insect bites he'd aquired overnight.

Granny took one look and replied: "Not bugs, but chickens!"

Merry Christmas!! Chicken Pox!!

Yikes! Sorry to hear about that, F107. I managed to avoid the chicken pox as a kid. Instead, I got it when I was twenty. No fun at all.

Had the foul fowl pox when I was a kid. Talk about a party pooper! Sheesh!

Did you take the baths in that pepto-bismol colored additive? I remember that. I just remember my best friend had the chicken pox. I was like, "Mom, what if I get the chicken pox" "No honey, you won't get it." In 3 days I had it at age 4 or 5. I don't remember it being that bad.

Ah yes! Calamine lotion (I think). I can still recall the smell.

Ewww...I got the chicken pox when I was 14 and they were really bad! I started with just a couple pox on the first day, a lot more on the second, and then an explosion on the third day. I remember my mom coming into my room on the morning of the third day, before I had a chance to look in the mirror, and I'll never forget her reaction..."Oh my gosh!" as if she's seen the devil. I ran to the bathroom to see for myself and just freaked out and cried hysterically. Not a good thing to get as a teenager! And yes...I recall the Calamine lotion as well as taking baths in baking soda water. It was so gross and it left scars to remind me of it every day.

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It was so gross and it left scars to remind me of it every day.

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Pics???
Ok Ok only kidding here. Please do not post pics. haha

I think someone could put a picture of a white wall and rickeydog would like it.

Rickeydog sure likes his pictures...

Like Dan, I was very young when I had the chicen pox. Much harder on a young, teen aged lady. You must've had a very serious outbreak. I don't thing I have any scars. At least none caused by chicken pox.

Merry Christmas, Mary.

I apologize for my comments, Sonicfox. My initial statement was off the cuff and I didn't realize what I had said until I read it again. I meant no ill will towards you. My bad.

Awww gosh...no offense taken! The scars are like white circles, some raised and some flat. I've got one right on my left ****! Want a pic?! HA!HA! See...I can fit right in with the rest of you guys!

Merry Christmas to you too, Jack! You're such a sweetie!

Thank you, Ma'am. You fit in just fine, around here. However, after your response to Michael, now I want pictures. WOOF!

Yes, I know you could be referencing your left arm, but you know men. What is it? Every 18 seconds, or something like that. Now I'm an old guy, so I've probably slowed down a lot. For me, maybe it's only every 30 seconds or so. You women will never know what it's like to be a slave to testosterone.

Used to be every 3 or maybe 4 (max) seconds for me...after extensive research (beer) and data collected the findings are that I am now up to 15 or 16 seconds, 17 seconds during slumber. In certain situations I can still give the 3 and 4 second time period a run for the money though.

Sonicfox, yes pictures would be nice!
Merry Christmas everybody!

I guess I'm just a big softy.
Seriously, I thought I had stepped over the line and wanted to make it right. Glad everything is ok.

Merry Christmas to all.

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tomorrow is the day for that HDTV

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Christmas Evening.

The end of two long days of partying at this household. We had 85-90 show up last night. Great fun. Nine at Dinner tonight. More Food and fun.

The SXRD is a big hit. I did get to watch 2 movies. More impressions when I'm not so tired.

Real KOA veneer, I imagine thats going to be some pricey option. It IS quite expensive. And im sure it costs alot more in canada! Would be quite a finish though, wouldnt mind having a pair of them myself. Maybe i can send some koa seeds over for a trade.