Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Monitor Audio VS Axiom Audio

I have narrowed my choices down between the Monitor Audio Silver S8 and now reading about the Axioms and to make it equal identical to the Monitor S8 model would be the Axioms M60s. So has anyone listened to both the M60s and Monitor Audio Silver S8s? Share opinions.

I wasn't able to have a really good listening session with the Monitor Audio's, but what I heard, I wasn't terribly impressed with. The bass was very subdued, and the voices were slightly laid back. Not a bad sounding speaker by any means, but I much prefer the mid/high clarity and tight, firm bass of the Axiom M60's.

You should by all means hear some Axiom's before making a final purchase.

Good luck in your hunt - and have fun!

ereed, Saturn has posted his thoughts on this very subject less than a couple of months ago.
I suggest you try a search for monitor audio on these forums.

Hi Ereed,

I think I can help you 'cos I was exactly in your situation not too long ago - well, sort of. Before I rattle on, may I suggest the following:-

1. Refer to HT discussions dated 05/16/03 headed, "Help! - M60Ti with NAD T761 anyone?" That was me, raising a similar issue as yours and the response received.
2. Go to "www.audioreview.com" for more reviews on Main Speakers on both MT60ti and Monitor Audio by consumers themselves.
3. I disagree with what "stiffnme" said about Monitor Audio Silver S8.

My interest started with Axiom M80ti but unlike you guys in USA and Canada, finding a pair of either M80ti or M60ti in Australia is bloody impossible! That prompted me to ask for help here and thanks to regulars like Saturn, Sushi and Cheeseroo, they redirected me to Monitor Audio Silver S8, quoting similarity in the components. To make the long story short, I tracked down the shop with Monitor speakers, had a few listening sessions, chat with audio geeks and more read-ups in the internet sites before going ahead with my purchase. Tell you what, I remain convinced that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The clarity, detail and dynamic that my MAs8 speakers produce are simply unbelievable and it keeps on improving as they are being run in.

Frankly, it all bores down to your listening preference. While I like my music to be as clean and detailed, some of my mates like theirs bassy with "let's piss the neighbours off" volume. Secondly, unless you have a bottomless pocket, in this vicious audio game, the sky is truly the limit. Of course, we would like to think that the "law of diminishing return" holds true here, ie, up to certain amount, the extra dollar might not give you it's equivalent in sound quality.

There you go, I've said my piece. Enjoy your hunt and all the best!!

The silver S8 has just a little wider soundstage than M60. S8 is also a little more forward sounding than M60(In your face kinda sound). I'm not too fond of that. Both have the same detail and dynamics. Maybe a little more on the Silver S8 but its even hard to tell. Maybe more fatique on the Silver S8 unless you listen to it for a while and get used to it. Specially female vocals.
The bass on the S8 is definitely not subdued. Its the oposite. The bass can be very unruly unless you plug up the lower bung hole. The S8 is almost twice the price of the M60 unless you find a demo on sale model of the S8. The S8 has amazing finishes. But now also the M60 offers equally as good finishes. The Silver S8 does really look rather expensive. Like that really sharp mid woof. Also the Silver line sounds okey with Denons, Rotels, and the stuff everyone buys. The Silver series does really open up with really high power stuff like Krells, Brystons. Why its opens up with amps that are 250W or more....that I do not know. All I know that when I compared my 120w Rotel which I brought in to the dealer vs his Krell 250w the Silver S6 and S8 sounded much better. Maybe I thought it was. I had Silver S6 and the unruly bass was bothersome at times. It took away from the clarity of the music. I returned it. The M60 definitely has a tighter controled musical bass.

Saturn

Uh, huh huh. You said bung hole.

ops...let me reiterate that..the Silver S8 has 2 PORT HOLES. The lower hole should be plugged to prevent unnessessary flapping. When unplugged the stuff that exits the lower PORT HOLES can be unrully....sounding that is.

...and here I was thinking this was going to be a repeat of the gorilla thread.

The did say foam bung in the port hole.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/reviews/what_hifi_silver6.pdf