Grexx,
I was very interested in the Klipsch line of speakers in my speaker research. I listened to a friend's set of RF-5's and was impressed. I then went to a Dealer and listened to a set of RF-5's and then a set of RF-7's. The difference was very apparent. I agreed with the dealer when he described the RF-5's as being "something designed in a hurry to make a stepping point between the RF-35 and RF-7...a red headed stepchild with no real design". I too liked the sound that the Klipsch's (RF-7's) put out but after I had the opportunity to listen to the Axiom M60's, I ended up purchasing them along with a VP150 and a set of M22's. The "horn" related Klipsch sound is nice if you like that (I still do) but I found that the Axiom's sound is true to the recording, will still make the hair on the back of your neck and arms stand up and a pair of the M60's cost what one RF-7 (at the best price I could find) cost.
I wanted the best sound I could get without having to break my bank (or the relationship with the wife). I really could not bring myself to shell out the money for the set of Klipsch. I found in the Axiom M60, a sound comparable if not better to the Klipsch RF-7 line, much, much better in a number of other respects. The entire Axiom set cost me half of what the Klipsch would have cost me (even pulling in favors from friends...).
I enjoy listening to a wide variety of music (a lot of it includes horns) and the "blatt" of a horn (my son plays coronet) is very apparent and lifelike with my Axiom's, just not as much "in your face" as they are with Klipsch.
My suggestion is to find someone in your area who has a set of the M80's (or M60's dependant on your receiver) and give them a critical listen. I just got my M60's yesterday and was very impressed with the detail that I now hear that was not reproduced by my previous speakers. As I was setting them up for the first time and having not re-calibrated them from my previous set-up (Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon was the first CD played on my Axiom's), my wife walked through the room and said "I don't remember there being a heartbeat on the beginning of that song...", all I could do was smile.
Definitely give Axiom a listen...there is a thread
here that lists some of the people who have Axiom's and where they are located...or give Amie an email...She would be glad to help...
Good Luck,
WhatFurrer
