Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Auditioned Klipsch what are comparable Axiom's

I just finished auditioning the Klipsch RS42 surrounds, RC62 center and RB61 bookshelf's. Would a good comparison, or maybe competition might be better, in the Axiom's be the M22, QS4 and VP150 to the above Klipsch line up? Since I've never heard the Axiom's before and the Klipsch is, from what I've been told, similar in sound, ie: bright and upfront!?

I'm trying to get a feel for the Axiom's sound to see if I want to purchase. Mind you, I was very impressed with the Klipsch speakers. I auditioned my music and a movie I'm familiar with to compare with my present speaker HT setup. In reality I only use this system for HT but I want speakers that are musically equal in performance! Compared with my speakers the Klipsch were definitely brighter but not much more dynamic! The Klipsch are probably coloring the sound due to the horns and could be conceived as almost "harsh" but not in a bad way. Since the Axiom's don't use horns I assume their highs sound more laid back.

I know what I'm asking would be better served by an actual audition of the Axiom's but don't know anybody that has them, let alone even heard of them! I just want to know if anybody is familiar with the Klipsch and what are their impressions compared to the Axiom's listed above?

Truthfully, I was only looking for a new center but I am aware that matching the fronts and center is very important. This doubles my cash outlay if I look at the M22's and the VP150. I can always add the QS4's later. Actually the Klipsch RC62 and RS42's were very impressive. The RB61's were solid performers but not in the "I gotta have these" category.

Any comments or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Check the hearing things forum for a possible audition for Axioms in your area.

I would bet you would like the set up you picked out for Axioms and yes it wouldn't be as fatiguing as the horns are on the Klipsch. I haven't heard those ones but the horns are definately 'brighter' than the Axiom tweeter.

I went with the QS8's (as when I was looking the QS4s had a different tweeter and sounded a little different but they went to the same tweeter acrross the entire line now)to go with my M22's and VP100 and the QS series is second to none for surround envelopment. The quad firing fills the rear seating area fully.

Hey Zuter, Welcome...

Yes it is important for your center and left/right speakers to be matched. This will help give you a better soundstage and seamless transition.

I had some Klipsch floorstanding RFII's at one point. A friend of mine now owns them. At the time I thought they were great, because the speakers they replaced were very cheap infinity bookshelfs.

I then upgraded to Axiom m60's, which were in a whole other league from the Klipsch's. When I decided on m60's, they were compared against B&W 703's, Paradigm Studio 7's, and NHT ???. All of the 3 above were also better than the Klipsch.

Klipsch is a good Retail type speaker in my opinion. The HORN sound is not for everyone. If you want clear, accurate, detail of your music, then I would look at a dome tweeter design.

Many people will tell you Axiom's are bright, and compare them to Klipsch. I just don't see that explanation as being true.

I currently own m80's for my mains and most likely will never change again, that is until they come out with m100's.

I would also suggest you check the audition thread to see if you can swing an audition in your area. That is all it took for me.

Also, keep in mind if you order from the factory outlet you get 10% off. In addition, all orders of 5 or more items get another 5%. This may help.

Randy

Yeah, I auditioned some Klipsch and while clear for HT found listening to them for too long they were a bit too( whatever you want to call them, bright, shrill, fatiguing, etc)

The NHT I audiitoned were more of a classic but muffled/warm sound at higher volumes. Some PSB Image series again were classic and warm, but not as clean and clear as the M22's, V100, QS8's that Jakewash let me listen to. All were good speakers, but my preferences were the Axiom, followed by PSB, NHT then Klipsch in that order. Just my tastes.

I have not wished I had the 150 but there are many here that have the 150 with M22s and they say it matches perfectly as well, If the size of the speaker is not a factor(WAF) then I do believe the 150 might be the better way to go for you, as you seem to be trying hard to avoid upgrades and those that have heard the 100 and 150 do say the bigger one is a little more dynamic, as expected with the bigger driver array and enclosure. As I said you really can't lose.

Dipole surrounds won't compare to the quad firing QS series and I hope there is someone near you that can give you an audition, Axioms really are as good as the reviews.

My wifey factor let me just upgrade to m80's and an ep600 sub.