Hi folks I am new to the Axiom forums but have been an owner of the AX 1.5/1.2 speakers for quite a number of years (12+). I am looking at upgrading to the Epic Grand Master and have some questions re the M22 Bookshelf speakers. My Speakers will actually live in a built in wall unit on a shelf. The shelf is 12 inches deep and with the speakers being rear ported, I wanted to see if anyone out there has similar setup and whether or not the sound is affected by only being 3-4 inches from a rear wall. 3-4 inches cause I understand the specs are the speakers are 8 inches deep so in a 12 inch shelf, we'd be left with 3-4 inches behind.

Generally it's frowned upon, but if that's what works for you, it won't be the end of the world.

Hi Bratt,

Axiom speakers--and the M22s--are designed to sound their best unencumbered by "adjacent surfaces" (the surrounding cabinetry) and will be the least colored when you hear them on stands (the exception being some of our in-cabinet models, whose frequency response is tailored to compensate for built-in applications).

If you must put the M22s into built-in cabinetry, try keeping the front edge of the speakers protruding a half-inch from the edge of the cabinet to minimize diffraction effects. The space behind the speakers will be OK, but try auditioning them on an open shelf before you put them into cabinet cubby-holes. You may much prefer the neutral sound quality when the M22s are in the open or at least on an open bookshelf.

Regards,
Alan

The M3s and M22s I tried didn't sound anywhere near as good when I tried them on bookshelves. Even the wife immediately noticed the difference when I took them out.

Hmm. leaving them out a bit won't work. The bookshelf has a trim piece at the bottom that is raised a bit above the shelf making it impossible to set them forward. Not sure how to post a picture here to show the issue. What about the M22 On-Wall, would they sound better in this space? I'd have to think about how I would mount them in that space. Not sure if that works.

There are the in-wall, or in-cabinet varieties that might work for you. With a little re-engineering of the book shelf, that is.

Edit: But, after looking at the product page. There isn't an in-cabinet version for the M22, and I probably wouldn't mount the in-wall on a bookcase. Probably get worse results than with just the M22 bookshelf speaker.

Perhaps with some modications, your built-in wall unit might accommodate a pair of the in-cabinet M60s:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60-in-cabinet-speakers.html

There are photos of some in-cabinet installations on this site and they can be very sleek-looking.
I agree with Catbrat and would not mount the in-wall/on-wall models into a wall unit.

As Ken C. pointed out, it isn't the end of the world if you stick the M22s into your wall unit; it's just that the M22s are marvelously good, natural-sounding speakers and it seems a shame to taint their potentially great sound quality by putting them into a wall unit. Even installed in that fashion, I expect you'd still find there's a large improvement over your old Axioms. Those were quite good in their time (the magazine I edited reviewed them when they were introduced) but the use of the aluminum drivers and titanium tweeters in the M22s has resulted in marked improvements in fidelity and freedom from coloration.

-Alan

I’m curious if Axiom has looking into making in-cabinet version of their bookshelf speakers. It seems even more likely that someone might want to put a bookshelf speaker into a cabinet/entertainment center like setup.

Not so far, Grunt, but I haven't been in touch with Ian for a while. He's been busy with other product introductions.

TD, welcome. As Alan pointed out, the results would be significantly less impaired if the M22s are placed so as to extend slightly out from the bookshelf. It would seem that the trim piece doesn't create a total barrier. Place the M22 on a book or other object to raise it an inch or two so that it will clear the trim and can be slid forward to 1/2" or so in front.