Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Ascend????

Ok people please help me if you can. I have been seriously thinking about going with the Ascend CMT-340M SE for my fronts OR Axiom M22. I am looking for fronts that will do well both musically and for ht applications. My preference in on 2-channel music listening 75% and watching dvd 25%. I do not listen to multichannel music. I am not a video-gamer either. I plan to buy an SVS PB10-ISD 10" sub or a Mirage S12 to handle the LFE when watching dvd. I may on occasion use the sub when listening to music but prefer to mainly use my fronts. Therefore, it is imperative that my fronts be very engaging and dynamic. You know open and airy sounding as well as providing excellent articulation. No boominess or bloated mid bass BUT a more smooth punchy sound. I also do not like a speaker to be too bright or shrill but rather more controlled and extended w/o being too brash. So people please help me out if you can. It would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Both are terrific. I'd suggest trying to demo both and deciding for yourself. Both have a very similar sound. Being a bit larger, the Ascends go a bit deeper and sound a bit fuller. Though the M22's are a touch more detailed in the midrange and high end. You really need to hear them.

I'd suggest trying to find an owner who'll open their home for an audition, or better yet, buy a pair of both...keep one pair, and send one back. Return shipping on either wouldn't be too much, and then you'd know for certain you bought the best pair for you.

Good luck. You've certainly narrowed your search down to a couple of great choices.

Thanks spiff I appreciate the advice. Right now I do own a set of Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's and just love them. However, the matching cc-470 v.3 is very large and very heavy. This is a problem because I have no where to put it and my tv is a Sony 32HS420 32" hdtv which is also very heavy. Besides the cc-470 v.3 is like over $600 and right now just dont have the funds for a center costing that much. I have narrowed things down considerably. Your input has been very insightful. Have a great day.

Hi speakerman39,

The Axiom M22s are virtually indistinguishable from the Paradigm Reference Studio 20s, except for a tiny bass hump (about 2 dB) in the Paradigms, and a hairsbreadth more midrange detail audible from the M22s.

But to hear these nuances, it takes me a significant number of blind A/B comparisons to isolate them and much of the time I forget which pair I'm listening to when I have both pairs on the A/B comparator.

I reviewed the Studio 20s when I was editor of Sound&Vision (Canada) magazine in the early/mid 1990s.
Both the Studio 20s and Axiom M22s are excellent speakers.

Regards,

I was looking at the Ascend's before I went with the M22s. I think this was pre-340SE. I was looking at the 170s or the M22s. At that time the FO price was almost identical with the Ascend price. When it came down to choosing, the Ascend's were just too homely. I've read on other message boards that the Ascends are much better speakers than the Axioms, I guess everyone has an opinion. I couldn't say one way or another, since I've never heard an Ascend. I know I like the looks of the M22s better.

Thanks a lot Alan as I find this post most interesting. Do you remember what version the Studio 20 was that you reviewed because many people say that the v.3 version was much improved. The v.4 versions should be shipping soon. The cc-470 is just too big of a center so that is one reason I like the VP150. Thanks once again.

I can certainly understand that. However, I do not have a waf to worry about so this is really a non issue for me. I focus a lot more on a speakers performance than to what it looks like. But, it is true we all like to look at things that are more attractive. Sounds like you are very happy with your Axiom M22's so congrats to you. I may be joining you very soon.

speakerman, I am in the EXACT same boat you are in. I have listened to the Studio 20 v3, m22ti and 340 classics. Out of the three, for my tastes at least, I am going to buy the m22's and 340's and listen in my home for 2-3 weeks. From initial impressions, the m22 was the most detailed, followed closely by the 340, and then the studio 20 for my tastes was at the bottom. Contrarily, listening to the 20's for music provided the biggest soundstage out of the three. The axioms had the smallest by comparison--I could locate the speakers quite easily. But I think this directly correlates to the level of detail. The Paradigms ( I listened the 20's, c470 and adp-470) sounded awesome during movies however--very engaging and clear.

The Ascends sound *almost* like the m22's, but with slightly smoother treble, probably b/c of the differences in tweeter material. The Axiom uses aluminum i think, to let the highs through nicely. The Ascends, with the bigger woofers, had more punchier bass and could extend lower.

I still can't decide though, so I would suggest doing the same as I am, and just get both in your home and see how they sound with your room acoustics and equipment.

Hope this helps.

I no longer have the M22s (I traded them for QS8s), but if you want to hear the M60s to help decide, please let me know!

David do you live close to my area? If so I would really like to hear the M60's. Just let me know. Thanks and have a great day.