At the risk of offering excuses - see comments in blue.

Quote:

However clean it all was, the sheer dynamic capability of his system would have had me running for the remote volume (I do have very sensitive hearing)...but never the less, Impressive!!! If I recall correctly, You're the one who said turn it up - more than once! lol To be honest, my ears were ringing when we were done, as it was louder than I listen to as well

Outside the amazing dynamics and balance his HT audio is capable of, my "candid" and honest observations are a little on the cautious side (due to some perceived colorations). Overall audio presentation was very analytical with details and clarity throughout the midrange and extended highs...but, almost too dry for my taste and at times, appearing overly bright! ...and very unforgiving of source - they do what they are told. I think this is the "break-in" period people talk about. It took a while for me to get used to how detailed the system sounds. I previewed a set of Klipsch (RF-63 HT setup) and those horns were quite a bit brighter than the M80's Vocals were sharp and well localized, with great center dialog clarity. However, an ever present nasal midrange reminded me of horn loaded driver qualities (my 70's audio) that I am all to familiar with (seemed to come mostly from M80's). Mid bass punch (40-80hz) was a little soft, but OMG, when the EP500 kicked in, the sub audible energy below 20hz prompted me to ask Scott if he had those couch "butt-kickers" installed, the energy was Amazing!! Nope - no Butt-Kickers, just the awesome power of the EP500 Didn't ask, but maybe a trim setting of mid to full on the 500 could balance the deep bottom end output in his 3200cf room. My EP500 is set at FLAT and I have not played with it too much. As it was, Saturdays test drive was the first real listening I had done since changing the phase to 180*, based on the recommendations from the 'confused graph thread' and a nice change at that I found stage depth and width very nicely balanced, with an accurate surround spread of DD5.1\7.1 throughout the listening environment! Stereo blend in 2.1 was well portrayed with seamless center images floating in a 3-D aurora of sound!

Guess I expected a little more openness and warmth from this fine audio system. I was very pressed for time and apologize if I didn't give Scott (or the Axioms) the deserved focus to discuss and demo more material. Most of the demo was selections from movies and a little bit of a variety of audio selections - mostly sound bites, rarely a complete song, and apparently too loud for both of us, which may have contributed to the brightness Our listening session was rushed (by me) and Yes, I did get some of my questions answered about the M80's (and the Epic 80 HT setup)!! Overall, they seem to have a fine balance with great detail and accuracy and Tons of clean output...something I remember my ADS 1290 Series II Studio masters (with their PA-1 Bi-Amped power built-in modules) as possessing. I've not had them hooked up for the past 15 years, but will soon see if age (22 years) or new room acoustics (far different and bigger than my previous listening room-1800cf vs 5300cf) will favor or destroy their past potential!! Then, I'll make my decision if maybe the M60 as mains might suite my taste better, filling out my 5.1(.2) new HT Audio setup!

Ted




Scott

Scott

My HT