Axiom doesn't build a bad speaker...but there are much better "values" out there in good used "hi-end" product (Thiel, Sonus Faber, Quad, etc...) for what you would pay for a new pair of top end "mid-fi" Axiom's. I bought a pair of the M80i's (out of curiosity) and got rid of them...they are ok for the undiscerning listener, but if you want macro-dynamic detail, depth and imaging the Axioms just don't cut it. I broke them in for 6 months and they never opened up. They sounded like every other mass market speaker I have ever heard: Just ok. My Krell mono-blocks did manage to get the M80i's up to some impressive SPL's, but in the end the Axioms just lacked the ability to get inside the music and involve me. I set my Thiel's back up and breathed a sigh of relief: Now thats how Miles Davis is supposed to sound.

ok....


nobody ever said they were the last word in High Fi speakers. I guess for me i like to listen to the music kinda loud and be gruven along instead of worrying about macro dynamics.

Just curious, why are you comparing new Axioms to used products from other vendors. Wouldn't comparing to the relative value of used Axioms be more appropriate ?

I haven't heard M80s. I have auditioned M60s, owned M50s, M22s, M3s, and M2e's. My favorite of these Axioms are the M3Tis.

I use Michaura M665 towers, M66 mini towers and M55 bookshelf speakers (very much like Axiom M60, M50 and M22s in that they use the same drivers, but the Merak/M2Ti's 3/4" titanium tweeter.) I really like Axioms, but I love the Thiels, Reference 3a de capo mm's, Sonus Faber Cremonas, Quads, Maggies ... and you are right, these speakers are IMHO better at reproducing music and involving the listener than the Axioms I have had and those I've auditioned.

I think the Axioms are better than most mass produced speakers - certainly better than the very expensive Infinity Composition Overture III towers I used to own. The only mass produced speakers I think are as good as Axioms are the Polks - also great speakers for a fair price.

The virtue of Axiom speakers has been the balance between high quality sound reproduction and great price. As prices creep up, and competitive speakers improve, the gap between Axioms and the mass market speakers is closing.

I wish Axiom well, and hope they can raise their game without raising their prices. Here's hoping!!

My great hope for Axiom? An Axiom speaker as good as a Thiel 2.4 for the price of an M80, an Axiom bookshelf as good as a Reference 3a de capo mm for the price of some M60s. I'd place my order now.

Ooooh! I'd love to see those Thiels hooked up to Krell mono amps. You have a link to your theater page so we can see pics?

Unfortunately, as he illustrated in this earlier post, Clinton appears to again have mounted that chip on his shoulder and for some reason feels a need to gratuitously insult Axiom owners with silly language such as "undiscerning".

Has he been here before?

John:
We are dealing with a 'master of the obvious' here. People like this just love to hear themselves talk. Talking about getting a good deal on used high end speakers is like buying a used BMW, Porsche or Mercedes. Why pay full price if you don't have to? I would have loved a pair of B & W 703's but for around $5,100 Cdn my M60's were a steal! Now I have money left over for a new t.v. For some of us, money doesn't grow on trees!
Season's Greetings to all proud Axiom owners!

good point Johnk, but it does appear he received his GED. Spelling Onkyo like Oknyo, twice in the same thread, starting a thread with Huh?, and calling Axiom's Mid-Fi, tells me all I need to know about this dude...Totally Awesome Man, Let me tell ya what Melba Toast is packin....

I guess every tree has a bad apple...

Saying Polk LSis crushed the M22s (not necessarily exactly his words.) Oh yes, we've been here before.