 Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jul 2006
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A local audiophile is coming over to my place with his Axiom M3ti and we're going to be having a shootout between several speakers. I'm looking forward to hearing the M3ti since I've never heard this particular speaker and it's been a long while since I've heard an Axiom speaker (since I owned the M22ti).
We're going to be putting these on 31" Omnimount stands and positioned about 8feet from each other and the seating position (equilateral triangle). The M3ti will have the handicap of bass extension, so we will take that into account. What I will be looking for will be imaging, stage, and overall vocal focus (disregarding the bass).
The gear we will be using will include the following gear:
Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player or Squeezebox 3 -> Cary Audio SLP-98 Tube Preamplifier -> Plinius SA102 Class A SS amplifier -> Axiom M3ti /or/ AV123 Strata Mini /or/ Martin Logan Summit
I will post pictures and thoughts from me and my friend later this week. We are hoping to get together on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks,
Joey
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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 Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: May 2002
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shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Very good, Joey; will be interested to read your impressions vs that rather pricey competition(the ratios of about 1:5:30 are a bit unusual for a shootout).
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Yes it will be intersting to see how a $320 bookshelf pair stands up to $1600 and $10,000 floorstanders.  Onix Strata Mini  Martin Logan Summit
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jan 2004
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shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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why are you comparing apples to oranges and grapefruit?
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Mar 2005
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axiomite
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Should be a fun shootout, Joey. Looking forward to it. It will be fun to see how close or how far apart soundwise these speakers are from each other. Pics would be awesome (hint hint).
***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Aug 2004
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axiomite
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>>why are you comparing apples to oranges and grapefruit? Because with speakers sometimes the apple wins  Seriously, as long as the conclusion isn't just "the inexpensive speaker wasn't as good so I'm going to tell everyone that speaker sucks" these comparisons can be really instructive. I was really surprised how well the M3s held up in a direct comparison with M60s, for example.
Last edited by bridgman; 12/03/06 03:45 PM.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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It does honestly sound like the term "listening session" would be more applicable than "shootout" with those price differences.... but I'm picking nits...or Freakin' Nuts....or something like that....
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
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No argument there... but the attendance at "shootouts" is much better than at "listening sessions"
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 27
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OP
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The entire session is moreso because the guy who is visiting me with his M3ti is wondering how they perform against the AV123 Strata Minis and whether or not he finds that they are worth the price jump from the M3.
This wont be like what happened back in the day with my M22... this will be a far better and behaved review. I am quite excited to hear the M3ti after quite some time of not having heard any type of Axiom speaker. I'm interested in how it does in my room with my equipment also.
My room isn't the best, a lot of you guys here probably have better rooms that I do. All my audio gear is in my room because I found that my living room is way too "live" in terms of echoes and what not.... so dont expect some grand photos of the 3 speaker sets when I post them here in a few days.
I will comment on several aspects of sonic reproduction, namely:
1. Highs
2. Midrange
3. Bass (with the knowledge that the M3 should not be held accountable for not being full range)
4. Imaging
5. Soundstaging
6. Coherence, overall
7. Realism
This will be fair listening session.
Joey
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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Looking forward to your thoughts. 
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 212
local
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local
Joined: Dec 2005
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Quote:
why are you comparing apples to oranges and grapefruit?
Because he can. :P
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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connoisseur
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Quote:
3. Bass (with the knowledge that the M3 should not be held accountable for not being full range)
Well, to make it even, disconnect the woofer on the M/Ls... 
Bren R.
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Quote:
Quote:
3. Bass (with the knowledge that the M3 should not be held accountable for not being full range)
Well, to make it even, disconnect the woofer on the M/Ls...
Bren R.
LOL!
If I did that, the MLs would cut out at 270hz.... talk about anemic bass response!
2 days and counting.
I have 3 preamps in my room at the moment, the Cary SLP-98, the Rogue Audio 99 preamp, and the Rogue Audio Metis preamp. All 3 are tube preamps and all 3 sound good. But I think I'm going to go with the Cary 98 for the listening session as I think it is the most musical and best vocals.
Cant wait for wednesday, my Sylvania NOS 6SN7GTA tubes arrive and I'm going to replace the cheapie Chinese tubes of the Cary.
Joey
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
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Aren't they going to need time to break in first?
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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LOL!  You troublemaker, you. 
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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Actually, with tubes, he may have a point.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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Ah, yes. Assumed he meant the speakers. 
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jun 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Yeah, but I was muckraking anyway.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I should know better than to give anyone around here the benefit of the doubt.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Tubes are going in prior to the demo... I want to see if I actually like it.
I'm having a hard time deciding between the preamps.... the Cary SLP98 is great... but so is the Rogue 99 in its own ways. Been a/b-ing it with the Summits and it's hard since each has it's own signature to the sound. I want to choose the better one prior to the demo/listening session tomorrow.
Damn this...
Joey
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jun 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Actually, Ken, you shouldn't doubt the benefit anyone gives around here.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I'm sure that means ... something.
Benefit of the doubt. What a strange phrase.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Apr 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Onix Strata Mini How do they get away with calling this a "Mini"? . . . . .
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Quote:
How do they get away with calling this a "Mini"?
Dunno man... but those things came in 2 crates and each weighed 140lbs. I say, there's nothing Mini about them at all. Heavier than my Logans.
Joey
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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axiomite
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Quote:
How do they get away with calling this a "Mini"?
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Cuz, believe it or not, there's going to be a "Maxi". It will be considerably larger. By the way, in the Mini's "bustle," is an 8", rear firing, powered woofer.
The Strata line is intended for two channel listening. There is no center or surrounds, and I don't believe any are planned. Since I'm a "multichannel" guy, and couldn't afford them even if I wasn't, I have no interest in the Stratas. I think they're nice looking, though.
They're also bringing out a Line Source series of speakers
The "small" one (LS6) will be 68" tall (5'8"), and the large one (LS9) will be 81" tall (6'9")
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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axiomite
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Those are some beautiful speakers. If I didn't already have my M80s I would have to give some thought into buying those.
Rick
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Joined: Jan 2002
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connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Quote:
The "small" one (LS6) will be 68" tall (5'8"), and the large one (LS9) will be 81" tall (6'9")
That reminds me of the Infinity IRS V Beta that came in 4 cabinets (2 woofer and 2 mid/tweeter) that were about 7 feet tall!
One vendour in Toronto was offering a free compact car (value $10k) when you purchased these for $100k!!!!
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Re: Going to have an M3ti shootout....
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Done and done... shootout/listening session completed!
Look for the new thread!
Thanks,
Joey V
2-CH:
SB3+PSA DAC3/Scoutmaster TT -> Cary SLP98P -> Plinius SA102 -> Martin Logan Summit/AV123 Mini
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