Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music

Thank you again. I will look at the CBM-170 too. Other suggestions are most welcome as well. To be honest with you I'm tempted to get the Axioms at this point just because you guys have been so supportive and patient with my questions. This forum is incredible!

Now that I look at my setup, the M22s don't look too big either. But the price is high. I started thinking I'd get the M2 V2, then this became M3 V2, and now ...???

If you think we are supportive wait until you ever deal with Axioms customer service . One of the best companies around to do business with in my opinion.

I've always wanted to give a listen to the Behringer 2030p studio monitors.

I can't use the Behringers - not pretty at all (no grill).

*snerk* John got it wrong...

Yes but the 3rd party measurements for this speaker are outstanding.

I think I have figured out how you can compare 2 sets of speakers in your home with very little risk/cost. You can order the Axiom M3 and the Aperion 4B or 5B and do a comparison. Both have 30 day trials and Aperion has free return shipping within the 30 day trial. To return the M3's I believe it would cost between $10-$20.

Here is a recent review of the Axiom M2 and Aperion 5B. The reviewer thought the M2 was the most netural and offered the best value. This review included each set of speakers used with a subwoofer. Without a sub you might find the M3's the most satisfying.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=258892#Post258892

What would be the differences between the M2 V2 and the M3 V2 for classical music with no subwoofer?

Also looking at the Ascend CBM-170 ...

Hi Paula,

I am an M3 owner for a little under a month, but have not listened to any of the other speakers you mention. I also don't listen to too much classical music, but thought that maybe something here may help out.

Up until two days ago, I had no subwoofer and was impressed with the low range extension of these relatively small speakers. If I had no option to get a sub, I would have been satisfied with the way the M3's performed with the genres of music I listen to regularly (Jazz, Hawaiian, R&B, Classic Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal).

In room response goes down to 40hz for me. Good enough to get a decent sense of the bass in a jazz band if that is analogous to anything in classical music.

Paula, if you compare the specs of the M2 and M3, you will see that the main difference is in the woofer size and the crossover. The graphs show that the M2 has a flatter response where the M3 has a bit of a boost lower down, and also goes a little deeper than the M2(about 10hz). I've not heard either of these speakers but if it's anything like the rest of the Axiom lineup, their goal is for uncoloured and detailed music reproduction. I'm sure you'd be happy with either(I'd probably lean towards the M3 esp if your not using a sub).

Paula,

To put some perspective on how the M3's relate to classical music, the bottom string on a double bass is 41 Hz (or on an acoustic or electric bass used in jazz/pop/rock). The M3s do a very nice job of reproducing that. In double-blind tests I've described the M3's bass as "quite good". The M2s I've rated "bass is decent but I want more--maybe a sub".

The bottom note on a grand piano is at 28 Hz. Those aren't played very often, but you will find them in some of Debussy and Ravel's piano pieces. (There is a special Bosendorfer grand, with an extra 8 keys, which go as low as 16 Hz, again seldom used). Even if the M3 doesn't go to 28 Hz, the higher harmonics will give you the impression that you are hearing a note that low.

Regards,
Alan