Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Architectural Series now on site!!!

Looks great.
Definately going to get a W150.

However, the Architectural Series Specifications page, when you click on "compare all architectural series speakers", says it only has one tweeter.

They really need to put a big bold link on their main page. I just told my friend about it (he's sitting at the desk next to me) and I had to step-by-step him to them. They're a bit hidden for a brand new product!

I just started a thread on AVSforum to let others know about the new line, I'm sure the AVS trolls will start bashing these like they do the other Axiom speakers

The new speakers look pretty darn slick and I betcha they sound pretty darn awesome.

AVS....trolls? Naw, no way.

I agree with you Craig, they are a bit hard to find.They do really look great though.

If you ask me, i think they need some pics of the thing actually mounted on a wall.

Sweet! They use Robertson screws! Gotta love Canada!

I see they are also offering an eggshell white color with eggshell covers, but be cool for those with white walls.

Big Bold Link coming soon - just wanted to get a few more pics in the hopper first. Thanks to Barilkobart for the error checking, too - we'll get that fixed!

If you need a wall to install to take pictures send me some. I will be glad to this for you.

They look great Amie! Makes me wish I could use inwalls.

I feel like I helped in the delivery of these babies!! The pic of the 150 looks like it has two ports on the side?

Hi everybody!
Congratulations Axiom!
Nice products indeed!I find the price a little bit expensive...Are they going to be available at F.O.?
How come they do not show on the canadian site?
What about mounting instructions?
Regards,
Octavian

They are significantly more than the regular models they are derived from. Count me out. I thought there was a mistake on the prices of the W2 and W3. I guess for some people it is worth it to have a smaller speaker that hopefully will sound the same.

Hey guys, don't discourage Axiom about their pricing.........some people will pay for GOOD speakers. .

In most cases, they could charge a lot more than they do for all their speakers, knock on wood

Also, remember the extra engineering that goes into these speakers. It may also be that the materials used are more expensive. You pay a premium for in wall speakers. You pay a real premium for in wall speakers that sound good!

K, eagle-eye Ken: the Robertson screws are because Tim photographed our samples and we use Robertson screws a lot around here! But they are US standard screws in the boxes we're shipping.

(Somehow it makes me nervous when anyone from South Park says "gotta love Canada" . . .)

Octavian, the Canadian pages are hopefully going to be live by end of day today, and then the manual will be pdf-ed and uploaded (Bren, Ken, pmbuko - is that a verb?) that shows exactly how the installation works, including the lock-and-pop frame. FO will be a couple of weeks out - or come on up and grab some hot off the line! It's still nice up the road here . . .

That's the right word. Uploading--you're putting it up on a server, Downloading--you're pulling it down from a server. Think of a server like a shelf.

Anywho, I think you should ship the Robertson screws. Of course, no one here has a Robertson screwdriver... Those things are great. No stripping!

LOL - I meant is 'pdf-ed' a verb!!

Oh. Yeah. Sure, no problem.

If you think those prices are outrageous, take a look at other companies which offer in-wall speakers. Take a peek at Engery, Snell, and some others - that should set you straight. For in-wall speakers, those prices are VERY, VERY good! Once we get a new TV, a W150 may be heading my way as well!

Just take a look at Triad inwalls and the Axioms will seem like a bargain. I was, however, expecting the W22's to be $600 instead of $650.

Aimee, the one thing that these speakers need is a changeable faceplate. That would allow customers to change the finish of the baffle in case they redecorate. Sort of like the way cell phones have snap-on covers. Whatcha think?

I'm interested in knowing from Alan or Ian about the differences in technology between the W and M series. Other than the form factor (enclosures), are there differences in the drivers, crossover or specific brand of fairy dust? Likewise, while I understand that a faithful reproduction of their boxy brethren was the goal, what kind of differences would a current M2 owner perceive from the W2, all things being "equal" (which they never are, especially when you're making a drywall dust mess that the dog is tracking all over the house, right before dinner and don't you know my parents are coming this weekend and how much did those cost again?)

I personally needed a little more Stealth on this deal. They are lovely, though.

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Just take a look at Triad inwalls and the Axioms will seem like a bargain. I was, however, expecting the W22's to be $600 instead of $650.

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Another comparison would be the Monitor Audio CP series. The Gold Reference In-wall sells for $1300 CDN a pair. At about $770 CDN for said Axioms, they are still a great deal.

Would you propose that a changeable faceplate cover the entire wall mounted speaker or a metal mesh that could be painted so that it looks like the wall and you only "see" the wood trim of the speaker?

Off topic --

I think egg-shell white should be offered on the QS series as well. I alsways assumed that white wasn't offered because of economies of scale issues. If the vinyl is in the shop, and it can be cut to form a Q series or even some of the others (since some might like to "hide" a white M2 in the back of a room, maybe) could be made in white as a "standard finish" as well. Just a thought.

Anyway, I'm impressed by the speaker, and consider it a decent looking alternative to a traditional in-wall speaker. I'm sure it kicks regular in-wall's asses as far as sound goes, but it is less discrete than I would have hoped.

We're actually developing a paintable version of the speaker - a few issues to work out and molds to be molded, etc, so we'll be 6 weeks or so at the table on that one, but then you would be able to paint them anyway you please. Maybe even send them to Joe for an artistic rendering!

Interestingly, we used to have Eggshell as a standard finish on the QS series. If we sold one a month it was a miracle! So it got dropped out of the lineup. We ran with three colors for two years or so, and then added Beech.

Interesting, Amie. I would have thought that the egg-sheel would sell much better. I guess people want to match the front and rear speakers, and it is a little odd to have white towers...

I am happy to hear about the paintable option. I actually was thinking about that in the shower this morning.

I think this new line is a great addition to the Axiom line and certainly helps diversify the offerings, especially in light of the ever-changing and ever-growing home theater market.

Say, another quick question.

Would it be possible to "countersink" the speaker into the wall a little further? This way, the wall profile would be even slimmer. If possible, how much would the speaker need to be off the face of the wall to avoid any ill effects?

If I understand correctly, there are ports on the bottom edges of, at least, some of these speakers. You wouldn't want to block the ports by sinking the speakers deeper into the wall. If I'm mistaken about the ports, NEVERMIND!

Yes you're right, Jack.
(now don't'cha come back...)

You may be able to countersink the centers as I don't believe they are ported, but the W2, W3, and W22 are all ported on the bottom. This follows the design of the M-series.

Assuming the W centers are not ported, then you could probably get away with countersinking them halfway down the radiused edges.

I'm just wondering where the W80ti is!

Let's examine this idea a bit.....

the W2, 3 and 22 are designed to mount vertically, and may be possible to c'sink somewhat in the wall, provided you locate them between two studs. You will still need to come up with an alternative mounting method then the stock clamping frame.

The center speakers, conversely, are designed to mount horizontally and will present a much more diffcult install challenge. Standard wall stud spacing is 16" on center, which is likely what they were designed for if you notice the width of the rear enclosure.

Considering the intended application, i.e. use with flat panel LCD and Plasma TV's, the projection from the wall is probably no worse than said TV's.

Hello Tomtuttle,

Quick answer from the man who designed them (Ian): "Only the cabinet, port system, and x-overs are different. The sound is the same but the SPL at 1w/1m is down 1 - 2 db on the W series."

On the basis of my early listening tests to the prototypes, I agree that the sound compared to the boxy brethren is tonally virtually indistinguishable, or, "similarly good."

That was our goal--to make an in-wall/on-wall hybrid that did not compromise sound quality, and which was consistent no matter what wall you installed it in, hence the self-contained, tuned enclosure and the cunning ports (on the ported models).

There will be more detail in the upcoming Axiom AudioFile newsletter in an interview with Ian on the design process for the W series.

Regards,

Thank you kindly, Alan. I think the approach is brilliant, and I certainly wish you success.

I'm going to try to start using "boxy brethren" in conversation. I'm not sure exactly how, but the alliteration just makes me smile.

I will look forward to learning more about the product development.

Thank you again.

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I'm going to try to start using "boxy brethren" in conversation. I'm not sure exactly how, but the alliteration just makes me smile.

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The knock on the door was soft, soft like the woman who stood outlined by the door frame. She was tall. Tall all right, from her gams to the top of her feathered hat. Built too. She needed gams like that to support that body. Busty to say the least, her boxy breathren entered my office while the rest of her stood in the doorway. With each deep breath of hers, I thought she was starting to walk into the room.

(to be continued)

Mark,

Hilarious. Now you are the "Guy Noir" of the Axiom message boards!

Regards,

Tomtuttle,

Thanks. I like the phrase too. You'd have to be cautious about using it at family gatherings, however, especially if there are any large siblings present.

Regards,

Holy crap! That's great Mark! Have you ever entered the Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest? http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

I ordered a pair of W22, a pair of W3, one W100, and 2 pair of QS4s. The W22s and the W100 aren't ready to ship; they tell me they'll go out next week. But everything else including the W3s should be here tomorrow! I can't wait. Will report back once I get it all set up.

Congrats on your purchase. I am still waiting to construct my Media Room. Do you have a plasma, LCD or projector screen?