M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
hobbyist
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OP
hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28 |
Hi everyone,
I'm now back in the forum, after getting to know the axiom product line really well some years back. Really enjoyed reading all the reviews and great experiences people had with Axiom speakers. Now i have a realistic opportunity to own a pair of Axioms as they now offer free shipping to Singapore.
Was just at the local store today and happened to hear a pair of B&W 804S that was being auditioned. Now i have never really heard speakers in this price range, and i must say that the 804S are really impressive in all aspects, highs, mids, lows, transients and soundstage.
From my impression of the M60 and M80 reading reviews and comments by owners, i believe their sound quality are in the same league, though i have never personally heard them. If i had to pick one thing, i would imagine the B&W have the edge in midrange performance due to the unique midrange driver. How about the highs, does the Axiom sound harsh, in comparison to the B&W?
Would appreciate if a fellow forumer who had the opportunity to hear both these speakers share their thoughts on the differences and similarities.
Thanks a lot!
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I've heard a lot of Axioms (most of the line, other than the M2s and in/on walls), and I would never describe any of them as harsh, except when the source material is.
I haven't heard any B&W 804s, so I can't speak to that.
I'll also point out that unique drivers do not necessarily mean better sound. Kevlar is a perfectly valid material to make a speaker cone out of, but so is aluminum.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
I commented in your other thread about this. The m60's sound like the 703's, not sure about the 804's.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
I have never heard the B&W's in question, but the M80s would not disappoint. I have been hard pressed to see how anyone could justify buying any other speaker for the money the retailers want for anything that sounds as good as the M80's.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,005
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,005 |
People buy whats available to them. If you've never heard of Axiom it's not an option. Many people also won't take the chance on buying something that they can't see and hear. I demoed Focals and B&W 803's and I feel that my M80's, for the price, are a far better value. I'm glad I took the plunge Mel N.
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 200
local
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local
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 200 |
I recently choose the M60's over the B&W 683's. I personally liked the 683's better than the 703's. I did not listen to any of the 800 series (why ruin my expectations when I can't afford them anyway). For me, the choice was made because of the price. I really thought the 683's had an edge over the M60's, but not a $1000 edge. I REALLY liked the surrounds that B&W had to offer (DS3's). I was not sure how the QS8's would work. Since I've had them now for a week or so, I can say I'm impressed.
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
hobbyist
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OP
hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28 |
Thanks for the comments. Is there any trick to searching to forums, or is search not working. I did not manage to get any results for 703s....
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
The main thing is to adjust the Newer than. . . and Older than criteria boxes
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Better yet, try herePeter set up a custom search tool for us!
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
The Axiom search tool does not work as well as it used to work. They currently only allow for a 1 year range.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
To help the new members we should start talking about old stuff all over again. It'll be like a search tool in real time.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Don't we do that already, with the constant, "which sub should I get" and "what is the difference between M60/M80." questions.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Oh yeah, we do.
It's like a constant progression--as the new guys come along their questions get answered, then as the new guys get some posts under their belts they answer to the even newer guys, and so forth and so on.
Then the old guard comes marching in and hijacks the thread. . .
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
Hijacking like the Pirates of the Caribbean.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
hobbyist
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OP
hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28 |
I declare the thread officially hijacked...
LOL..
Anyway, only found one post mentioning the 704S, another comparing against the 683S.
I happen to know someone who just bought a pair of 683S, so i'll invite myself for an audition : ).
Keep the insights and comments flowing!
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
hobbyist
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OP
hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28 |
Sorry for double posting, but i noticed in the FR charts for the M22, M60 and to a lesser extent the M80, the treble response starts dropping quite drastically at about 16kHz and is -10dB by 20kHz.
Is this physically audible? How does it compare with speakers that have flat response up to 25kHz or even 40kHz? I would imagine it being described a 'airy'. After all, most people can't really hear 20kHz.
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
I believe Alan has mentioned in the past this drop off was an anomaly of the anehoic chamber. I for one have not noticed any problems in the upper FR.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
Yep, and I don't believe all speaker companies provide graphs in an anechoic environment, which gives you the best indication of the speakers performance.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: M60 / M80 vs B&W 804S - Opinions and experiences
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
It appears a number use a quasi-anehoic setup and some don't show below 100-200hz.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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