Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo M22's vs. CBM-170's (a book...beware!)

Curtis, I just visited the Ascend forum. It looks as if they have an upgrade program to the SE's. Oh, how I'm tempted! When I initially bought both speakers, the M22's and the 170's, my plan was to keep my favorites and sell the others. From this review, you will know that I preferred the M22's. However, it's been probably a year since I wrote the review, and I haven't had the courage yet to part from the 170's. Now, you've got me really curious about the SE's! I've got a dilemma on my hands now!

If you have found what you like, I wouldn't worry about it. From reading your review, I think at least some of the issues you had with 170's may have been addressed, but I am not sure all the changes in the 170SE would suit your tastes. Not night and day differences...but differences nonetheless.

Save the cash or spend it on something else.

Hold on....a year ago!!?? You have been holding out on us that long?

Your opinion means a lot, Curtis, because I've always known you to be a big fan of Ascend's and trust your judgement when it comes to them. You've got the 340's, right? So anyway, thanks for making my mind up for me and saving me money. As it stands, I DO really still like my 170's as they are, so I've still got the best of both worlds.

Very nicely written review; I thought it was helpful, even-handed and intelligible. Your impressions will surely be useful to those people in the future that are considering both speaker lines. Thank you sincerely for this significant addition to the collective wisdom.

Bravo!

I agree, well reviewed. Oftentimes it is difficult to express what it is your brain is interpreting from the information provided by your ears. It brings up an interesting questinon in my mind. How is "neutral sounding" interpreted. Would this be by the average listener in an average room (what ever that is)? Would it be by a recording engineer? Would it be by the artist recording on stage, or if a studio recording then that would be by the recorder?

I have a friend with a reeeeally nice Taylor guitar that, unplugged, sounds a little thin but when amplified via the built-in pickups produces a full rich sound that is very pleasing.

The review brings up an important factor. The room acoustics. In sounding "congested", I would have to think that the 170 was exciting specific room nodes that the M22 was not. In the larger room, the M22 sounded "thin" but I tend to think that it is really meant for either a small room or a large room with a quality sub. I interpret from that review that the M22 is more neutral. The 170 seems as though it has been tweaked to sound good in a moderately sized room.

The said Taylor guitar may sound better in a small room (it sounded thin in a 4000 sq ft space) but too congested when amplified in that same small room (depending on the amount of amplification). I like this review for the simple fact that, unlike a lot of "professional" reviews, it really gives an idication of performance in different environments which is often overlooked.

Thanks very much for the review!

Not a problem Mary. This hobby/obsession of ours can drive us broke! Enjoying is what it is all about.

I have "classic" 340s and 170s, and I have heard the SE versions. I will be upgrading when the budget allows.