Version 3
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8
President connoisseur
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OP
President connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8 |
Everyone, It is a very exciting day at Axiom today. Over the past few years we have been working on a number of major improvements to our entire line. Today we will officially launch Version 3 on our website. Version 3 brings some major improvements to the sound quality of every model along with some pretty cool cosmetic changes. The changes that affect the performance of the products began being incorporated about one year ago (longer for some of the woofers) and were completed on all models a few months ago. As of a few weeks ago the cosmetic changes were incorporated into our manufacturing and today our website will change to reflect these changes. The main cosmetic changes are the aluminum dust caps, which are now made from the same material as our cones, and the elimination of the grille pins with the introduction of magnet grilles. It should be noted that the in-wall products will remain with grille pins as the female grille pin in the baffle is the access point for the screws which control the swing arms to mount these products to your wall. As for changes to the performance we have redesigned our tweeter, all of our crossovers, and most of our woofers. I think the best way to describe the difference in performance may be to simply quote from an e-mail I received from a customer who has moved from Version 2 to Version 3 M80s. “The changes that you've made to the M80s are not subtle. It is that different! The first thing that I noticed was that the sound stage increased, dramatically. I describe it now as voluminous, wide and deep but at the same time, minutely precise. It's like the curtains were pulled back away from the stage. The sound field increased in all dimensions. I especially hear a lot more spatial depth. It's much easier to locate the position of performers in the sound field. The sound is especially seductive. It wraps around you.
The sound seems much more uniform over all frequencies. These speakers are so musical; I feel it necessary to make an analogy to the operatic voice. In vocal study, one strives to even out the registers in a voice so that a singer's sound is seamless throughout the entire range (so no one can detect a break when going from chest to head voice, etc). This is how I feel about these speakers. My impression is that you've particularly smoothed out the transition between the mid range and highs.
I am particularly blown away by the high end of these speakers. There's a new precision and GREATLY increased detail in the sound. In playing a stringed instrument (I've studied the 'cello), we pay attention to the 'core' sound of the strings making sure that when we bow the instrument, we always 'dig in' to the string adequately in order to make sure that the 'core' of the sound is always there. It is especially essential when playing something very softly. This is how emotion is subtly conveyed through sound. I'm hearing the 'core' of the sound with all music through this system like never before. Solo instruments and voices sound live, with minute detail in the sound. I can hear this will all instruments. In particular, operatic singers' voices now blossom as they sing a high loud passage. It takes my breath away! You have blown the top off the ceiling of these speakers. I listened to a lot of music louder than one probably should and the sound was not fatiguing. There's so much space around the upper frequencies. While I'm not even remotely a sound engineer, it seems to me that the proper way to 'warm up' sound in the upper frequencies is to add space around it (this is what my voice teachers said about proper vocal production) not 'soften' it by 'rounding off' or 'decreasing the treble'. That would rob you of reality. Additionally, there's a nice big fat, spacious area in the mids. Also of note are trumpets and brass. Rather than going 'ouch' on a loud passage, you get chills. Again, 'expansive' comes to mind.
Ian. I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to experience this. You've created some real magic with these speakers. As I said at the beginning of this note, you have made a MAJOR change to the M80s with these modifications and it's THRILLING!!!! Many, many kudos to you and your staff at Axiom.” It is very fitting that the release of Version 3 coincides with our 30th year in business. They are both big milestones in Axiom history.
Ian Colquhoun President & Chief Engineer
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 212
local
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local
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 212 |
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I only just bought my M22s and QS8s in February! Does this mean I have to upgrade?! Hmm... lets look into the upgrade program...
At the very least I now have to change my sig line to specify v2.
/facepalm
snazzed
M22, VP150, QS8 <--all v2 Sub: Outlaw LFM1-Plus Denon AVR1910, Sony X900-65"
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8
President connoisseur
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OP
President connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8 |
Snazzed,
If you e-mail your Model and Serial Number to noreen@axiomaudio.com she can tell you if you have all the latest Version 3 performance mods.
Ian Colquhoun President & Chief Engineer
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Re: Version 3
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htnut
Unregistered
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htnut
Unregistered
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Outstanding! Can't wait to get my v3's
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
Do the crossover changes coincide with different XO points being used on the V3 models?
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Gonna be a lot of ti's and V2's at auction.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Very cool Ian. I'll be sure to give the new M80 a careful listen when I am up there in September.
Did you update the anechoic measurements as well?
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Version 3
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htnut
Unregistered
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htnut
Unregistered
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Very cool Ian. I'll be sure to give the new M80 a careful listen when I am up there in September.
Did you update the anechoic measurements as well? Great point, I would love to see a new FR graph for the M80 v3.
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 110
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 110 |
Was there ever a version 2 of the M60 In-Cabinet speakers? My reciept of a couple weeks ago says T60 with no verison number
The mids and woofers have the black dust caps, but I know the in-cabinets are a new design, so I'm wondering if I got older components, perhaps in an experimental model..?
Last edited by axiomoholic; 06/23/10 05:37 PM.
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Re: Version 3
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 463
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 463 |
Glad I bought my speakers yesterday, so I will be getting version 3. Thank God!
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
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