Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Difference Between Axiom M3 and Ascend 170??

Can't agree more. Linearity of the on- and off-axis frequency response is the primary design aim of the Axiom speakers in order to reproduce the source accurately and without tonal colorations. It is this neutrality and transparency that can sometimes reveal the brightness in a source. To then say that such a speaker is "bright" is indeed nonsense.

John

Okay, now you've got me rethinking my decision to go with the Ascends.It's just that I read some comments about the M3's and words like ear bleedingly bright were used and it scared me away. I'll let you know if I order them!

Don't let people at AVS scare you. Axiom makes very nice speakers. They may or may not be right for you, but you'd need to listen to them to find out. The "Axioms are bright" myth gets trotted out by alleged golden-ears pretty regularly. It's kind of a risk-reward proposition; Axiom speakers make excellent recordings sound really great, and they make crappy recordings sound, well, crappy. It's kind of like the old disclaimer on CD's when the format first appeared - "may reveal limitations of your source components".

People seem to like Ascends just fine, too. By all accounts, they are fine speakers. Just don't let somebody else's ears choose for you.

Thanks.Can anyone tell me how the M3's might differ from Polk speakers? Specifically the Polk RT series?

Jerry, in line with some of the previous replies, what you've read elsewhere is simply nonsense that has no factual basis. An overall "bright" characteristic in a speaker can't just mysteriously appear without it having a substantial frequency response inaccuracy over a broad range in the upper midrange/lower treble. Testing reports show that this simply doesn't exist in the M3s(or other Axioms). If a specific recording is poorly done with a boost in that range of frequencies to sound more impressive on mediocre equipment, it'll sound "bright" on Axioms and other accurate speakers which tell it like it is.

Even with this overwhelming number of posts stating exactly what I am about to say, the shear untruth of the statement makes me want to re-add my own voice to the "bright-M3-is-non-sense". My brother has them and I hear them often and they are as linear as any other Axiom speakers.

Aaaaaah.....the "ear bleedingly bright" post.

I saw that last year when cruising AVS for research too. Luckily Sirquack told me there to check out some of the guys in town with Axioms and get an audition.

In hindsight, its like any DLP post where somebody says " I saw rainbows all over the place on that DLP". Just somebody exaggerating because they like to listen to their CCR or Foghat on some "classic" sounding speakers.

Check out the hearing things section to audition some Axioms and then Ascends, then let your ears be the judge.

I would say go one step further and order up some Axioms, the M3's wouldn't cost that much to ship back if you in fact don't like them.

Jerry - whereabouts are you? Give them a listen.

Bren R.

I'm in New Jersey.