Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9 |
I would greatly appreciate comments and advice on this issue:
Requirement: two "small" bookshelf speakers for classical music (not movies), no subwoofer
Price: Around $300 or less I was about to purchase a pair of Axiom M3 V2 speakers. Then I heard about Energy speakers and a closeout on their "C" series (C-200 specifically, $150 at Audioadvisor), and the RC-10 ($300 at Vann's).
Is the M3 really much better for classical music than the Energy C-200? Or is it too bright? Please note I am not planning to use a subwoofer. Should I consider other small speakers?
Thanks very much
Paul
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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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 |
Hey Paul, Welcome! First of all the m3's, or any of the Axiom lineup for that matter, should be defined as bright. They are detailed and "true" to the original recording. They may bring out some flaws in "poorly" engineered CD's, but will sound outstanding on good quality cd's. To me, that is a good thing. Can't help on the Energy's, have never heard them. I think if you do a search for Energy in the subject line, you will get old posts on this matter. JohnK will be along later this evening, he is our resident classical master. I do own some classical music on his recommendation, I have the m80's. Are you planning on ordering from the factory outlet, that will save you an additional 10% on your purchase? The m3's have great bass response, where the m22's might give you a little more detail, but that would be around $400 from the outlet.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210
axiomite
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axiomite
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It's amazing the difference in mental pictures with just the use of a small 'a', the power is astounding!
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Thanks for your reply!
So I guess I'm wondering if bright speakers such as the M3 will result in fatigue over time, or they would be just fine.
I was going to buy from the main store, not the outlet (are outlet units "lightly used" or just slightly blemished?). The main limitation is the size of the speakers; I want something on the smaller side, hence no M22.
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270 |
Hi Paul,
Since much of my listening in recent decades has concentrated around classical, opera, some jazz and large choral works, I think you'd be very satisfied with the M3 v2's reproduction of strings, horns and solo violin.
The Energy models tend to be what I call a bit "zippy", too agressive on strings and violin. The latter is especially critical for me as I studied the instrument for 15 years. The only Energy speakers I have heard that have excellent balance on strings are the rather expensive Energy Veritas models--large floorstanding systems.
In the Axiom line, the M3v2 or M50v2 would be ideal for your musical preferences. They are never agressive on strings and have very pleasing musical balance. With no subwoofer, the M3 has more apparent bass output than the M2 or M22 bookshelf models.
Regards, Alan
Alan Lofft, Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Once again, they're not "bright." The M3s are slightly more forgiving of bad source material than the rest of the line, but they're very accurate. We rarely hear of fatigue problems around here, but certainly you should try them out for yourself--either through auditioning with someone on the boards (see the Hearing Things forum) or with the 30 day return policy.
The outlet are slightly blemished, but absolutely new speakers. Sometimes, we suspect, they are not blemished at all, but are needed to fulfill an outlet order...
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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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 |
Paul, what I was trying to say is that they are not bright, sometimes my fast typing misses a few letters, I meant to type shouldn't be described as bright.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
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connoisseur
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I was going to buy from the main store, not the outlet (are outlet units "lightly used" or just slightly blemished?). The main limitation is the size of the speakers; I want something on the smaller side, hence no M22.
Factory outlet speakers range from slightly “blemished to perfect condition. I have 10 factory outlet speakers an all arrived in perfect condition. Some people have found minor cosmetic issues but it is quite common to find none. I have said many times that I believe if Axiom does not have any B-stock available in the timeframe listed on the factory outlet order page they will ship A-stock to meet or even beat the deadline. No one from Axiom has ever refuted this. To me the only drawback to ordering factory outlet is a longer wait. However, each time I ordered the listed wait time was 4 weeks but my speakers shipped in 2. Cheers, Dean
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210
axiomite
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axiomite
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"Paul..... sometimes my fast typing misses a few letters..." Ya think?
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Re: Recommendation for bookshelfs for classical music
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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 |
Shouldn't you be out flying around somewhere?
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