Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Classical music

Are there any classical music listeners that are using Axiom speakers? How do they sound? How do they compare with other speakers? I am thinking about getting the M22ti and wonder how these do with classical music? Would others in this price range be better? Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

UJ, I listen to classical only and use my M22s. I've never heard any bookshelf speaker at any price that can do a better job. It can even be used without a sub(my in-room response is adequate down to about 40Hz, as measured with a test-tone CD)if you don't require the deepest bass and hall ambience.

HERE! /waving/

I listen to some jazz and pop/rock, but when it comes to serious listening, my genre is exclusively classical.

I can tell you that the Axiom speakers are highly suitable for classical music. It's not that they are "designed" for classical music (I don't think you can or should do so). But it is true that serious classical music listeners tend to demand lots of sonic details -- I certainly do. The Axioms answer those demands very nicely. Also, it is true that many top-40 pop/rock recordings have intentionally souped up trebles, which the Axiom speakers honestly reproduce, resulting in sometimes excessively "bright" or even "m******" [word censored] sound. Fortunately, you rarely see these "hot" EQ'ed recordings in the classical CDs released after early '90s.

So... I am confident in recommending the Axioms for classical music fans. Their detailed, airy, crisp sound, with a pristine imaging and transparency, really shine in the orchestral, chamber and vocal pieces.

The 2 experts have spoken but I'll just chime in with...

The M22's are one of the most instrumusical (you wont find this word in the dictionary) speakers that I have listened to. The instruments just shine through. They stand out.

Just last night, I was listening to something not exactly classical but nonetheless worth mentionning - Dream a little Dream track from 'The Very Best of Louis Armstrong' album.

The voice - wow, smooth, detailed and crystal clear.
The piano, the guitar - every string, every note is so crystal clear.

Whether you put up the volume or keep it low, it sounds incredible. It's almost like you are sitting in the front row at the live performance.

I also listen to Indian classical music (tabla, sitar, etc) on the M22's and the M60's. Both have similar characteristics when it comes to detail and clarity. If you can afford it, go for the M60's because you get the extra bass.

Pricewise, there is nothing that is comparable to M22's. Enough with words. The best way to decide is for you to listen to a pair and be amazed...

Good luck !

I can vouch for the M22s making tablas sound amazing. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones were playing with Sandip Burman for a while. He's on their "Outbound" album and has toured extensively with them.

The M22's are terrific for any type of music. The only other speaker I know of that comes close to their clarity and detail (in the same price range) is the Ascend 170.

I personally preferred the sound of the M22, but the Ascend should not be disregarded. It's a true bargain.

Not to rain on anyones party... Listen to whatever you like but.....

I just have to say it....

Ugh classical is just so boring.

Have your listened to Holst's "Planets"? How on earth can you call that boring?

Brandon, you're young. You can still be saved. I'm not sure if they have this in Hawaii, but there are musical re-education camps to which a person can be committed by order of the probate court or voluntarily. There you'd undergo several hours of instruction each day in the principles of harmony, rhythm, symphonic structure, etc. To illustrate the principles, you'd be exposed to several additional hours each day of listening to Holst's Planets, almost anything by Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and the other musical geniuses. Don't despair, you can do it.

no thanks. I dont want to go to no bootcamp to tell me what music to listen to. i like some good ole foot tappin singin along heart pumpin emotion and energy.