Hi there.
I've heard Polk rti a7's and the highs are very harsh. Listened to Energy cf-50's and a little in your face, but not too bad. Last ones I auditioned were Paradigm M9's, they sounded great. Could someone tell me about how the Axiom's sound compared to any of these? I'm mostly concerned about not having a harsh top end. Thanks for reading and any advice is most appreciated.

Many times what you hear in a negative way is a result of the room characteristics, incorrect calibration setup, speaker placement, or the quality of the music track (for ex. compressed mp3's). But there still is a chance that the speaker design can result in uneasy listening for many users, and that is very subjective. Everyone will have different opinions on what their ears like.

With that said, I have never really considered Axiom speakers of being harsh or bright. Back when I was looking for speakers and found out about Axiom, I thought they sounded similar to Paradigm "Studio" series and the B&W 703's.

The only time I've heard any hint of harshness, was when I was listening to ripped music with compression. That is not the fault of the speaker. But, if you are listening to a properly recorded music track, you will be astonished how good it sounds.

Hopefully, you can do an audition of some Axiom speakers.

KW, welcome. No valid comparison between the speakers you mention can be made unless it's done at the same time with the same program material and other factors are as identical as possible.

It can be said that the treble on the Axioms isn't "harsh" in itself. If poorly recorded program material has that characteristic, then any speakers which are accurate, including Axioms, will reproduce it, which is of course what quality speakers should do. At least partially correcting such material is what we use tone controls for.

Thanks for the replies JohnK and Sirquack. While I do live in the province next to Ontario, it is still about 2000 miles to the Axiom shops. Is there any other places to audition these other than ordering them? I also noticed that they recently had a sale of $2xx.00 off of the 60's and 80's, wonder when the next sale will be. I hear you about speakers sounding different because of equipment, surroundings and set-up. I still don't think I'd purchase speakers that didn't sound good to me, regardless of the set-up. I may give Axiom a call and see what I can find out. Thanks again.

Kwk, if you go to this page, you can find a list - by region - of Axiom speaker owners who are willing to let you hear their systems:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=184230#Post184230

you can get in contact with someone on the list by sending a PM or email, or by getting in contact with Amie for help.
some of those people in the list may not be available anymore.

those who have answered you are right; the only times my tweeters are harsh is when the recording itself IS harsh.
Axiom speakers are very revealing of everything, and when a recording is first class, then you have a hell of an experience, with pinpoint placement and imaging and realistic stage, even sometimes in the third dimension: not only width and depth, but also up-down.

KWK-
Welcome to the forum! Keep in mind that although auditioning somewhere else is a nice option to have, the in-home audition is likely your best bet.

Each room has a different, and major, influence on the sound you'll get. Hearing ANY speakers somewhere else will not necessarily tell you what they'll sound like in YOUR room.

Some people think that the benefit of being able to really listen to the speakers over 30 days is an enormous benefit to buying from Axiom. The worst case is that you send them back- but the return shipping is not really all that much...especially if you think of it as "rent" for having the system for 30 days!

I live in Mississauga and am listed on the auditioning page under lfe@coolbeans.ca. I have M80s, VP150, QS4s and an EP500 in addition to two other Polks. Feel free to contact me.

I find Axioms don't sound harsh at all, they produce very pleasing sound. My environment is primarily for home theater use but I do also listen to some music. The M80s are especially fine, they just "articulate" the sound so well for lack of a better term.

i never thought of it that way. :-)

Thanks for the welcome, all the replies and offers.Thanks JB for the audition link.
I just sent a pm to chesseroo who has M60 and vp150 that lives in Winnipeg. Maybe I'll get to hear them after all. It would be nice and easier than ordering and sending back if I'm not happy with them.

Hi guys,
just another question. If I'm mainly listening to music, would the vp-100 suffice for a center channel? M60's would be for the front and M2's for the rear. Or is there any other suggestions with M60?
They have cherry M60's in the outlet too.
Thanks,
Ken