Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Hearing Things Calgary Nov 3/07 GTG

Hey all, I wanted to start a new thread for this GTG, we totally hijacked the other one very badly!

I think we should start a weee bit earlier...seeing as we will have 4 speaker models (m2, m3, m22, M80) and what now...5 subs?!?!?

I have a 15 (maybe its 25') foot RCA cable I can bring with my EP500.

Should we consider starting at 9:30? all the stuff won't even be setup until at least 10AM.

I would love to contribute to the EP350v3 return flight, I would need to know how much it costs, anyone have any idea? I also need to clear this with the Boss, she may not understand

I'm finding out about the return for the 350. We can start at 9:00 if you guys want. I'm thinking it will take some time to tweak all the subs if we want to try taming the room modes. Robb, let us know if you need help with the 500.

well, the 500 will not fit into my car with the box, I will be transporting it with a blanket probably in my backseat with a seatbelt

That's the safest way.

I just bought 4 sets of banana plugs - two for my M80s and two for the B set of speakers. Jason, can you bring some of your extra plugs? That will make things a lot easier.

I need to figure out what we're gonna do about stands. We need four of them. Two for the M2s and two for the M3s. The M22s can just sit on top of the M80s.

Maybe I should check out one of those cheap and dirty speaker switchers too. It won't be seamless but it will be faster than changing cables.

The 400 with the banana plugs is shipping tomorrow. Return charges are $60 but something tells me Jason will end up keeping it .

Only slightly faster than 2 people with banana plugs. I can bring my longer cables that are already made up and the extra plugs.

It looks like the M60s might just be here after all, another spot for bookshelfs to go!

I have lots of spare RCA cables just need some adapters and extensions. I thought I had some when Mojo was here last time with his sub, but I had thrown them out while paring things down awhile ago.

The earlier start time I think is warranted.

That must be through Axioms account, right?

I have tons of banana plugs...we really only need 2 sets of LR cables with banana plugs to do A/B testing. Too bad there is only M80s there, we need some M50s and M60s...where is Bayne?

I got a pair of stands I think I can bring from my studio that the M3s are currently residing on.

Jason, you bringing the M22s?

What about Demo material? I have Master and Commander I can bring for the subs (I know I have more, just can't think of it right now), Transformers in HD DVD...then I would have to bring my HD-A20 player too...

I don't know if that's through Axiom's account or not.

War of the Worlds? The Darla tap scene in finding Nemo? I have U-571.

You can bring your HD player too if you want. I don't have any connects for it though.

Maybe we should start setting up at 8.

I do not have Finding Nemo, I think I can borrow it from a friend tho, and I do not have WOTW. These could all be rented tho...I have yet to see WOTW on my system yet...I should really check it out again, I want to see my EP500 drive moooooove!

I don't think i'll bring my HD Player...Transformers is good, but there really aren't alot of crazy sub scenes, only one that I can think of.

I PM'd Bayne to check out this thread....if you guys know anyone else in calgary on this board, PM them to come to this thread and discuss.

I have Nemo and WOTW, I did mention the M60s will be hanging around till we are done. I could PM a couple of folks that I did auditions for.....but the more people the longer this will take. and we have already determined at least a couple of us have to leave noonish.

Mojo, do we want a better DVD/CD player, or have you already picked one up?

well I have a potential future axiom owner that will be coming out as well (I think). so you can tally me in for 2 peeps.

You guys is insane, you knows that?

there is a fine line between insanity and genius.

Jason, I missed the M60 part...my friend will be happy to hear there are M60s coming.

This is going to be schweet! My wife thinks I am crazy for hauling out the EP500 across town...what can ya do eh? Mojo, I can't believe you ordered a freaking EP400...lol

I too had a friend that wanted to come but he just informed he is scheduled to work and won't make it. I will PM the others I know of, the more the merrier. I haven't seen them on here in awhile so we will see.

This is getting very interesting indeed. Looking forward to the reports gents!

He's just gently nudging me to buy it once I get to hear it, hence the color selection.

Oh, the pressure ! I should have built a larger basement. I knew it was a mistake to give up a portion of the basement for laundry duties .

The factory is out of 350.3s. No, I haven't purchased a new DVD player because I haven't done enough research yet...but I'm willing to hook up someone else's. Mine should work fine with the exception of the one CD that is the ultimate subwoofer torture test - Plastikman:Closer. That one actually causes some blurring of vision when I play it on the 600 .

We'll need to develop a pseudo-scientific, efficient procedure to do listening tests on the subs and the speakers. We have a limited amount of time and we want to make the most of it. Does anyone have any ideas? Craig, do you want to impart some of your IP? There's no fun in hogging all that knowledge .

Jason, what are you going to do about getting some shut-eye? Are you going to be ok to drive? Should I come and pick you up and then drop you off?

well, I am thinking about not bringing the M2s out...I think the only reason for me to bring them would be to see how you guys like them as a centre channel in parallel.

We all want to hear the M2s to compare them to M3s and M22s. So it would be great Robb if you can satisfy our curiousities.

So do you guys actually like recabling stuff, or are you just lying to yourselves?

I actually like recabling(I know ,I know), but we are going to use Axiom's banana plugs to hook everything up, well the speakers anyway, much faster.

The subs will be another story, most likely just a single sub at a time going down the line and hooking up the cable individually.

Mojo, don't worry about me and my sleep deprivation, I will be too excited to sleep Friday night anyway, this is going to be better than Christmas morning, unless I have some more Axioms in waiting that I don't know about. I may have to preload the M60s and cables into the car before I go to work to save some time in the morning.

Robb, I agree with Mojo, the M2s must come as well.

Hey, any one know of some cheap/free plotting programs I can use with my new meter and my laptop? It might be fun to plot some of what we hear next Saturday.

Man, I wish I could be at this. Take my grousing as sour grapes--it is.

Well drop by my sisters place in Foster city and she could give you a lift up here!

I don't know how graphing would work in a room that I know to be non-linear.

If you won't be able to sleep, then why don't you come here right after work and we can start setting up. What time will you be here in the morning? And how many eggs do you want?

I was really hoping we could daisy-chain all of the subs at some point in time.

But if we're really going to pull this off guys, we must have a credible listening evaluation process for the subs and the speakers.

By the way, to spice things up a little, I will try and acquire a set of non-Axiom "guest" speakers. Stay tuned for this unexpected twist .

Are they Christopher Guest speakers that go to 11?

?

>sigh<

hint: Spinal Tap

He also had 11 fingers in that other great movie.

I've never had one.

I didn't realize that Christopher Guest played that character! What a hoot!

His and Mandy's greatest roles, although I am sure neither one thinks so.

But with Elwes it's a toss up btw Princess Bride, Hot Shots, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

I will for sure bring the M2s then, by popular demand!

Jason,

Not sure if you answered me, but do you want me to bring the M22s, or do you?

Thanks, Robb.

Thanks, Robb.

Someone's on repeat again. I'll totally back you up if you want to say it's the new software.

No. It's my browser. Sorry about that.

I will bring them, you have your hands full with M2s, M3s and EP500!

Peter, I would give Elwes Men in Tights "...unlike other Robin Hoods I have an english accent."

Hey guys, bad news, I have a conference I have to goto that day...I had completely forgot about it.

I am really sorry all, I wish I could be there, sorry If I caused any issues.

Maybe there is some way I can get the M3s over to you place Mojo, can you PM me with your address?

Thanks,

A conference? You need to get your priorities straight young man .

Jason and I need to arrange to pick up your M2s, M3s and EP500.

Yes, yes, if you are still willing to lend them out, I am willing to pick up, unfortunately as I am on the near opposite work schedule from most and out of town this weekend, I think Tex is going to have to do this on his own, unless someone is at home during the day.

I am seeing what time it starts on Saturday...I might be able to drop the stuff off before it starts...I will need it all back the same day tho. Not sure when the conference is over.

We were supposed to be returning all this equipment? sheesh.

Man, I leave for 3 days and miss some Spinal Tap references. "Smell the Glove" was a great album, but needed a different cover.

I'll still see what pans out for me, but I should at least be able to drop my STF-3 off and hang out for a bit before getting my kid to the rink.

I bought a cheap 4-speaker switcher from CC today. It won't be transparent but it should speed things up. It looks like it accepts 16 gauge...maybe 14. I bought some long sub cable too.

Woo hoooo! The 400 is here. Complete with a big gash down the side of the box and on top too. I wonder if it went to Alabama first before it came here.

I am not sure about getting the EP500 over to you guys, but the M3s are possible, do any of you work downtown during the day?

I don't work downtown, as you know but I could swing by to pick them up and if you give me the key to your house I could get the 500 as well. lol.

Pick a time and place and I can be there, fo rthe most part. PM me.

Jason and I talked a bit about the format of this and he made a good suggestion to keep this GTG casual and not get too caught up with measurements, etc. Just enjoy the music and equipment and relax. Does that sound acceptable to everyone?

I'm good with that. I'm really gonna be busy Sat, but want to come by and hear some speakers. I'll probably drop my STF-3 by and come get it after.

I'm anxious to listen to the Hsu.

I just gave a friend of mine an in home Axiom audition, I went over there and took the M22s and VP100(he has a very modest budget). I brought my meter along to check his system as well.

I adjusted levels for his low end Pioneer and some much older JBL bookshelfs and B&W 204s(a recent aquisition). Once adjusted we unhooked the B&W and the JBL he was using for a center channel. After a year or so of my talk and his lurking here he finally got to hear what all my praise was about. He was amazed by the clarity and details. It was then that I told him the B&W's were in the wrong positions for surround sound he had them at the front by his 20yr old Cerwin Vegas but connected to L&R side surround connections, I believe his wife had some part in this positioning. I didn't have enough time to help him move things around but did give him extra wire to move things.

He came over to my house today to hear the big boys in action.

We now have a new Axiomite on our hands. I asked him to drop by Mojos on Saturday but he has to work. I am sure if we do this again maybe on a Sunday afternoon he might be able to pry himself away from the wife and kids for a few hours of sonic bliss.

That's hillarious. We were just talking this evening about people who set up their 5.1 system right beside their TVs because they don't know any better.

He knew better than to go against his wife's wishes!

I don't know what crevice this crawled out of but I better kill it by tomorrow morning .

Well, maybe not tomorrow morning, how about the afternoon after we torture it for awhile...

Mojo, thanks for the audition at your place today. I wish I could have stayed longer, it was great to listen to the variety of speakers you had there. The EP600 wasnt as large or intrusive as I pictured it to be. Man it moves a ton of air. Still think Jakewash needs one or an EP500 at least.

After hearing the M60's and M80's, I would definately justify the extra $$ and buy 80's if I was going for a floor stander. Although if you can get Ron to part with the "mystery speakers" I would consider it as I really liked their detail, despite being lean on bass. The "mystery speakers" were a cool twist.

The clarity of the M22's vs. the M3's was really noticeable. It just showed how impressive of a bookshelf speaker the M22's are. That being said, I think the M3's will be great for my 2ch setup in the family room when I reno it soon. I love my M22's with sub, but without a sub, I think the smaller M3's best suit my needs.

Anyways, thanks again. I'll call you when I get back to pickup my STF-3.

later,

Hi Al,

You're welcome and thanks very much for bringing the Hsu. I really do love the 80s...many say that the QSs are the stand-out and although I like these as well, the 80s are the stand-out product for me.

I could be wrong but my buddy would never part with the mystery speakers .

[quote=Mojo]
I could be wrong but my buddy would never part with the mystery speakers quote]

Not even for some M80s?

Probably not because he's not willing to spend any money on audio in the foreseeable future. But, that may change after he brings his Nuances (which are his main speakers BTW) over for AB testing.

Weren't those the speakers that were sold by a store chain that went out of business a few years back? I can't remember the name though.

I'm not sure. I'll let you know what they sound like after we hear them.

No, you should tell us what they sound like beforehand, so we know what your pure bias is. Then, listen to them subjectively, remove that pure bias from your impression, and that's what they sound like. There's no need to go through the hassle of double-blind listening tests at that point.

How can one tell if one has a speaker bias?

When I listen to speakers, I am objective. Or at least I think I am. How can I be sure?

You don't have a bias knob?

I do, but I never use it for audio.

Pray, tell, when do you have it turned up?