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A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axiom)
#128454 02/14/06 03:46 PM
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axiomite
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A fellow around town came by with his wife for an audition of the Axiom speakers. Of course i also gave him an audition of other speakers that we own.
In the end, he has decided on the Paradigm Signature series and a Velodyne sub along with Simaudio Moon components.
His setup should be together sometime soon and he's offered to have us over for a listen. If i have the time and the chance, i will see about bringing over a M60 and the switcher box to do an A/B review of the two.

The components are:
Paradigm Signature series S8’s, C5 and ADP’s
Velodyne DD-15
Moon Stargate, Moon Aurora AMP and Moon Calypso DVD player.

A Soundstage review of the S8s, with graphs, is here.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axiom)
#128455 02/14/06 04:18 PM
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It will be interesting to see how a pair of 900 dollar speakers compare to speakers that cost 5400 dollars.


A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128456 02/14/06 04:36 PM
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axiomite
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Cost is partly irrelevant in a comparison. People have individual preferences such that the cost is in many cases a non-factor. If a person wants a real wood, birdseye maple finish, then the sound quality may not matter either. Such a person might be willing to pay 10k just to get that look.
There are many on this board that argue Axioms are the best speakers. I have always stated they are the best speaker for their price, IMO. However, i have speakers that are more expensive and yes, in my A/B testing, they do sound better.
Are they worth the extra price?
If they sound better to me, then yes, they are worth an extra price. How much extra cost comes down to the individual. The fact that my other speakers are nearly double the size and have a real wood finish also adds into the cost difference. Put those three factors together (nicer finish, bigger speaker, better sound) and it was enough for me to spend the extra dough.
Was it $100k more?
No.
That is beyond what i would pay for a quality difference.

Take a look at an old poll i put together that asked this question. Keep in mind that being on this forum as opposed to a 'swankier' audiophile site has likely skewed the numbers a bit towards the lower end, but an even chunk of ppl would go for a price point 4 times higher than Axioms.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128457 02/14/06 10:30 PM
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local
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local
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<shrugs> Any speaker over $2k that is compared to M60ti's is a bit much IMHO, but $5,400? That's absurd.

I find it interesting that someone would even try such a comparison, but I admit to being a bit curious to hear the results.

Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128458 02/14/06 10:58 PM
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axiomite
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KC, the cost difference b/w speaker comparisons only matters if cost correlates directly with quality.
It does not.
If it did, then everyone's Nirvana should be Wilson Audio speakers.

However, as previously stated, to a point, some extra cost is worth it for many. The breaking point at which cost exceeds the point of returns is up to the individual.

My personal curiousity extends more towards the sound differences between speakers just for interest sake. If i can find a speaker that i prefer more than my Tannoys, i might consider watching the used ads for them in the future. I already have my eyes on some Monitor Audio and B&W speakers, all of which i really liked the sound. I would love to get all of them into my house for a better A/B audition. The more ppl i meet in our area, the more auditions with different brands that i can get to do. This Paradigm one is an example.

My Axiom speakers will always remain part of the family. If i ever switch them out for something else, just for a change, they will either go upstairs to the bedroom, or if my daughter is old enough, she may inherit them. I could also put them out in the gazebo on the deck for summer bbqs.
Or i might setup my mother in her retirement, who knows.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128459 02/14/06 11:00 PM
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axiomite
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There was a recent comparison between M80s and comparable (albeit much more expensive) Veritas speakers. It was pretty close, and if I remember correclty the M80s might have won by a nose.

Having said that, I think pretty much everyone here will agree that you can get better speakers than Axioms... it's just hard to get better speakers in the same price range.

Last edited by bridgman; 02/14/06 11:00 PM.

M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128460 02/15/06 02:53 AM
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aficionado
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I haven't heard the speaker that does EVERYTHING the best, at any price.
Seems like there are trade-offs with every speaker?

Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128461 02/15/06 03:18 AM
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axiomite
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Yep... I was going to type something to that effect in my first post but my fingers were getting tired. Once you get up to "decent" speakers (and Axioms are definitely in that class) you are dealing with personal biases and preferences of the speaker designer as much as "goodness".

The one reliable truth in the the speaker business is that really expensive speakers tend to be better looking that less expensive speakers, but there are even blatant (ugly ) exceptions to that


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128462 02/15/06 03:48 AM
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axiomite
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Don't forget to throw in size.
Bigger speakers usually equate to more dollars. If Axiom were to make a 90lb speaker with 7" or larger drivers, i'm sure their average speaker cost would rise.

Oh waitaminute, they did make a 100lb speaker with a larger driver and it costs over 2k Cdn.



My personal favorite for over the top and pricey has to be the Nautilus:



"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: A new speaker comparison? (Paradigm Sig & Axio
#128463 02/15/06 03:53 AM
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axiomite
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What the (&*^%(*&^!@! is that ?


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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