Hi all,
I currently have M80,s, VP150, QS8's and a pair of M22,s that I use for EX surround. I have owned the 80's for about 4 months now and I hate to say it but they are not doing it for me. I have tried them in a ton of locations etc and it's not working. I have tried them with Stratos, Parasound's and various other amps and I'm still not digging it. To me the midrange is just to much! Remember, I'm just talking about my own ears here.

I like Axiom so I'm thinking I will try another set. Perhaps the 60's? Has anybody heard both? If so what are the main differences you found? I may even look at the 50's as my wife has been on me to downsize anyway.

One way or another the 80's are going I just need to determine what goes in there place. Any input is much appreciated.

One more question. Is anybody running the same speakers across the front? Meaning 3 M22's etc vs running a VP 150 or similar.

Never, I'm sure there will be many people who will recommend the 60's, but according to the powers that be (search old posts by Alan), the 60's are very close to the 80's in sound. If you don't like the "forwardness" of the 80's, it's doubtfull you will enjoy the 60's any better. My bet would be for the more "laid back" M50's.

how big is the room? how far do you have them from the wall? how far apart are they?

please let us know because this may be a good example of why users shouldn't always go for the bigger_is_better speaker.
i still say that the m80s should be designated as (primarily) stereo use while the m60s should be more sufficient for HT use. IMHO

you could contrast this to paradigm users. i know a lot of paradigm users who prefer the studio 60s for home theater and the studio 100s for stereo use.

I would agree with real80sman.
If you really don't like the forward sound and you've tinkered with all you can in your room (it is evident that you've discovered swapping amps makes little difference), Axioms may not be the speaker choice for you. However, if you do want to try something different, the M50/M40/M3 are about the only different line you can get. The change is subtle though so if the present sound is really overwhelming, you may want to look completely elsewhere for main speakers.
There are many comparable brands out there for quality but you will be looking at a bit more cost compared to Axiom. Of the brands i've heard lately and really liked compared to my Axiom, i would suggest you look at Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Tannoy or even PSB.

sounds like u dont like the forward sound - maybe u can go for the onix rockets.

Hi NeverHappy,

How far back are you sitting from the M80s, and what are the room dimensions? Did you buy the M80s new four months ago directly from Axiom? Or did they come from a former retailer in Canada, or a previous owner?

The M60s have ever so slightly less output in the midrange and highs than the M80s, but overall they are extremely similar in tonal balance. Not so the M50s, which are quite a bit softer sounding and less detailed in the mids and highs. The M40s are even more laid-back than the M50s in this respect.

The M80s really sound their best in larger rooms when you are at least 12 feet from them, although currently I have a pair set up adjacent to a pair of M22s barely 8 feet away, and the M80s sound wonderful, but they are difficult to set up at that distance and still get a continuous soundstage.

Perhaps it's the source material. Certainly the M80s, like the M22s and M60s, are relentlessly revealing of bad recordings, but with good ones, they are remarkable. The other day, my mega-changer, running on random, selected a Best of Stevie Wonder compilation, and there is a great cut musically--something about "the City. ."--came on. His vocal is awful--heavily EQ'd, and I think the mike preamp was overloading, because there is audible distortion, yet most of the backup instruments are okay.

I could barely listen to it, were it not so good musically. Then the changer switched to a Sampler CD from Mapleshade Records, "Wild Child: Mapleshade's Music Festival" (08132). What a contrast! The Mapleshade recording quality is a revelation on either the M80s or M22s. Horns and saxes with no harshness, wonderfully natural vocals and percussion, and ambient "room sound" that puts you right there.

As I listened, I thought to myself, "fine and accurate music reproduction really does come down to the loudspeakers and the quality of the original recording." The rest, assuming reasonably competent amplifier and electronic design, is all nuances, so tiny as to be largely insignificant.

Regards,

Hi Alan,
All my stuff came directly from Axiom. The room is roughly 20 X 20 and the 80's have 12 feet between them. They are 18 inches from the wall and slightly toed in. I sit roughly 13.5 feet from them. I'm currently running them with a Parasound HALO A-23 and also had them running with a Stratos. Either or, the sound didn't change much. I actually ran them straight to my Onkyo 800 for a bit and again, not much change. I have tried Denon, Arcam and various other CD players and so far it's a no go. I have ran them large, small you name it without much change. I'm running a SVS Ultra so bass is not a priority for me as the SVS does everything I need in that department and then some.

Seeing as how I have the day off today I'm going to move my 22's from the back to the front and give them a go and see what I think. I know the room is on the large side but I have them here so why not!!!!!!

As for me trying other speakers, I have tried most of Paradigm's stuff including Studio 100's V2 etc. I A/B'd a set of 100's vs a set of 40's and actually liked the 40's better if that helps narrow down my listening preferences at all. I have also had Monitor Audio Silver 9i's etc. Awesome speaker that I loved but lost as a result of a break-in. When insurance paid me out I bought some Paradigms and then went to Axiom's.

My main reason for wanting to stick with Axiom is money. Monitor and Paradigm are crazy if you ask me on there prices and I won't pay it.

Just so there is no confusion here. The 40's I'm talking about in the post above are Paradigm's not Axiom's! :-)

Well...there you have it. The man certainly sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I guess the only real question not asked yet, NeverHappy, is what is your musical tastes? And what is your music to movie ration (30/70)? The mere fact that you have a 7.1 going is an indication to me that you like to watch movies.
What I can tell you about my situation. I have never listened to the M80s, but I do own a pair of M60s and I also run a 7.1. M60s, VP150, QS8s, M2s in a 15x20x15H room and the 60s are my just about my favorite speakers in the mix. In fact the only ones I hesitate on are the M2s. I wonder if I'd prefer the M22s such as you have? But...it's all a fairly new set (1 month). I suppose it's fair to say I'm still tweaking...all the time.
So there you go. A fair pair of questions and a little of me babbling.