Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Amp advice + M80s

Bob, welcome. Yes, that's probably what the Denon rep did tell you. It appears that both amplifier and speaker manufacturers operate with what appears to be an excess of caution in this area, possibly hoping to avoid getting trashed on the internet if a problem does develop. Any amplifier, including those in receivers, can drive a speaker rated at 4 ohms without shutting down, depending on how loud and how long it's driven. Some 4 ohm rated speakers(e.g. the M80s)are actually easier than some 8 ohm speakers both from the standpoint of watts and current, since they're more sensitive. It shouldn't be assumed that there would be a problem in your use pattern; trying first results in no problem in most cases.

Thanks for the welcome and the imput guys. Also looking for some comparisons between the M60's and M80's and while we're at it how about any comparisons at all to some of the competitors speakers in these price ranges.

M80s = 100% great
M60s = 99% great
All competitors = sucks.

OK, real answer.

80s vs 60s
The M80s will play a lot louder if you have a really big room. They also deliver more detail in the mids and highs (noticably more in a/b listening but not a huge difference) and definately deliver more bass.

Vs. competitors
Well, there are a TON of speaker manufacturers out there. Did you have any particular brands in mind?

I guess I should have stated that emotiva is clearly not the answer- for me

I have heard a few too many problems with the m80/xpa2 combo for me to want to give it a try. I really have no problems with my denon 3808 though, but I would like a littel more power.

Energy RC-70
Rocket 850
Klipsch RF-82

The M-60's are closer to the price range I started out with. I don't mind paying a little extra if it is really worth it.

Is it stated anywhere on the website the history of the company or where these speakers are made?

Drivers are manufactured in China at an Axiom owned facility. The speakers are manufactured in Dwight ON.

I havn't personally heard any of the speakers mentioned. I believe the Energy's have come up before. If you go to the Water Cooler and use the Axiom Google search tool you can probably pull up the threads.

From what I have read on the Rockets, and the measurements I have seen on the older Rocket 750 and the Strata Minis (both have an elevated midrange) they will probably sound a little warmer than the M60.

The corporate info page has some history; looks like they're coming up on 30 years

http://www.axiomaudio.com/corp.html

You can see some of the older models here; the speakers were a bit ugly until Axiom started putting the drivers on the wide side of the box

http://www.axiomaudio.com/vintage.html

Try the same search Fred mentioned to search for posts with M60 and M80... you will find dozens of great comparisons between the two.

My 2 cents, if the M60s are closer to your budget and you don't have a gigantic room, you will be quite happy with them. I've heard both the 60s and the 80s (not side by side) and I found them both to be very very good.

Jason