Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Axiom M60/80 - Paradigm Monitor/Studio Comparison

I guess you've decided not to use a subwoofer? I think you should revisit that decision. It seems you're passing on some nice speakers because they don't have enough bass. Naturally, the larger Axiom speakers will have more bass than the smaller ones, but you'll never get the bass that's there without a sub.

Darcman I'm out in Abby. If you want to come have a listen to some M60's, shoot me a PM. I have a set as well as a vp150.

Hey GregLee ya dont get me wrong the paradigm monitor 11 and studio 60s were nice capable speakers, but I did expect a little more bass out of them, fairly nice sound though. Its all money so you get what you can afford, so I was going to get the monitor 11s. I now know the Axioms wont make my ears bleed and represent a far better value over the paradigm studios. I wasnt even thinking JBL L880, I just saw the ad, did some research on the speakers and for $750 for all 3 speakers they seemed to be pretty good bang for the buck. Do they sound as good as the Axiom M60/80, havent heard them yet but I doubt it very much. The JBL L880, I dont believe sound as good as the monitor 11, but they would have been almost double what I paid, just for the towers. The Axiom M60 and VP150 would have been just about double what I paid too. When I picked up the Axiom M3s I have to say I love them, for their size I think they sound more detailed than the JBL L880. The JBLs are just way fuller, I mean its hard to compare a bookshelf speaker to a fairly decent 4 way tower.
I live in an apartment, so I think a sub is out, I get complaints as it is. Thats why I want a speaker that has some good bottom end. I like the JBLs but now that Ive heard the M3s, I know I would like the M60s or M80s. Id probably happy with the M60s, but maybe the M80s would be better for me since I dont plan on getting a sub. I could just get the M60s but would I always wonder what if. In my experience, you never regret spending the extra cash but you almost always regret when you compromize.
Hey just for fun, Stereophiles Robert J Reina did a good review on the JBL L880, check it out. When I do get to hear the M60/80 I do fully expect them to be better than the JBLs, but for what they are theyre not bad.

Thanks

PS Is anyone going to watch the hockey game tonight Canada vs Ruskies.....my prediction, WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You don't need to convince me that JBL makes some very good speakers. I used JBL 4310s for 13 years, and several other JBLs.

Darc, if you are in an apartment bass from any floorstander speaker or subwoofer will get you complaints. The M80s play down to ~34hz and that kind of low end will go right through any wall, just the same as if you had a subwoofer. Once a sub is properly calibrated with the mains it won't be playing any louder than they are and will not add extra bass(loudness) for neighbors to complain about, at least no more so than a set of floor standers like M80s would.

Ya I just kinda think a floor stander is a better all in one solution. I didnt want a real rumbler of a sub, but I guess your right probably not much different than a floor stander. My JBLs actually go quite deep too. Just from all the review talk, the M80 is a slighty fuller sound than say the M22 and sub. Maybe I would be ok with the M60 then even. There really isnt that much difference price wise if one was to get the M22s, stands, and sub VS just getting either the M60 or the M80. Well anyways I know what your getting at, either way Im not going to be on my neighbors Christmas card list. Im just really tempted by the M80 but the M60 is probably great too.
You have the M80 and dont you like it more the M60? I know Id probably be happy with the M60 but maybe happier with the M80
My JBLs go down to a rated 30hz and according to the stereophile review were measured at 32hz, so I didnt want to miss anything either.

Is this an attempt to start the 60 vs 80 again???

I just liked the extra clarity, mids and upper range, the M80s have over the M60s at all volume levels. The lower bass extension is just a nice plus. And I do like my M80s over M22/sub, it does sound slightly fuller and in my new house the M80s are better than ever I doubt that lack of upper bass range in the M22/sub combo is really all that noticeable if not for A/B testing.

I guess at the end of the day, you cant really go wrong with any of the Axiom setups, I just think if I bite the bullet, I would lean towards the M80s. If I came across a smoking hot deal on the M60s or M22/sub, Id bite though. I saw another deal lately on a mint pair of platinum monitor audio speakers. Well they would have been about $2100 but I think theyre about $10,000 speakers. I want for home theatre use, so I thought where am I going to find the matching center and if I had to buy a center new, I think they list for about $5000 or something stupid like that. The platinums did look awesome though, just kinda out of my league.
Hey Jakewash, I guess you would probably recommend the M80 though

I recommend ordering both, A/B test them and keep the ones you like the best