Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo M22, M40 or M50

Hi,

I'm looking forward to purchasing a pair of Axioms and I'm torn between the 3 speakers above. I've read the reviews of the M22's and M40's, but haven't heard too much about the M50's besides Randyman's review vs. M60's (M50's outlet is my budget limit - for now).

We use our stereo 60/40 music/DVD's. Am looking to build a nice home theater system and am wondering which main speakers to start with, and I hope to eventually fill in with Axiom center and surrounds. Our current room is 14' x 12' with the speakers to be placed on the 14' wall.

I believe I want to purchase towers, I've been listening to a decent set of bookshelf speakers for years, but after auditioning some tower types, and reading the review of the M40 v. M3 on soundstage, I think the fuller sound of the M40 is what I'm aiming for.

However if the m22's are really THAT excellent, I will buy them first. I have a 12" 250 watt subwoofer, JBL PB12, a gift I recently received. While I was not looking for a SW, the depth and power it has added to my listening environment are wonderful, and it compliments my current speakers very well. I wonder how well the PB12 will integrate with the M22's, if anyone can answer that.

M40's v. M50's - I wonder if anyone can give me any insight as to the tonal quality of the midrange on the M50 -I'm interested in having the extra base provided by the extra woofer, but I wonder if the extra punch obscures the midrange at all.

Thanks in advance,

DL

DL,

These are good questions. I am in somewhat of a similar quandry myself. My recommendation would be to go with the M50's. The M22's would be my next choice.

The M22's are extremely popular and work very well with people who had space limitations or don't want to attract attention to the electronics in the room. They deliver a great sound for main speakers.

I just purchased the M3s and couldn't be happier. I was considering towers myself because I wasn't getting that rich full sound from my current speakers. I had two sets of Cambridge Soundworks Ensembles, one set in front and one for surrounds with a Cambridge center speaker with an Onkyo 787 receiver. Basically sattelites connected to a passive subwoofer. After replacing the front pair with the new M3s, the sound is much cleaner and fuller sounding. The M3s on their own in stereo mode sound good, but when switching to all channel stereo, the added bass from the rear speakers really fills in the sound. Since the Axioms are so much more efficient, they still dominate the overall sound. I'm going to see how the Cambridge passive subwoofer sounds by connecting it to the sub output with an NAD 150 watt two channel amp that I have in the basement.

I originally tried hanging the M3s off of the Cambridge sub, but I think they sound better without the front sub connected.

It wouldn't surprise me if the M22s or M3s with an active subwoofer sounded as good as the M40s or M50s without having the added size of the towers. Since towers are also much more dependant on room placement, you might actually be able to get better sound with the bookshelves and sub.

DL30

Not to blow my own horn, but I suggest you go back and read the string of comments to my old M50 vs M60 post - esp. the one that Alan wrote.

Way back when I was starting my Axiom considerations, I included the M22 and the M40. Based on what I know know, and what other people have written (including Alan and Ian), and given what you have said about having a big sub, I think you would do well with the M22s. The sub would fill in the bottom nicely and the M22s are clear and clean (much like the M60s) I have not heard the 40s and not too much has been written about them on this message board, so I cant really advise on them - but the M50s ARE softer in the mids. Perhaps this would help as well: There is a 30 day trial period! And the cost to return the M22s wouldn't be THAT much. Thats how I ended up with the M60s.

Well, thats my advice .....

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Randyman

If you ask me, I'd rather have two M60's than 2 M22's and a sub for just stereo listening. HOWEVER, for home theatre, a subwoofer is definitely a must.

I auditioned the M40, M50 and M80 this past weekend. I'll post a full recap of the "showdown" in a few days, but in a nutshell I went with the M40. The M40 held its own vs. the M80, and I thought it played cleaner than the M50.

The M50 gave a lot more presence to bass and male vocals, but I thought it sounded imbalanced, with female vocals and treble sounding a bit muddy. Nothing like a Cerwin-Vega tower, but enough to create a little listening fatigue.

By the end of the week, I should post my entire audition of the three towers, including what music I used to give you ideas of what to expect. But I can assure you the M40 is a REALLY good speaker, and an incredible bargain given the price.

Hey all,

Thanks for the replies. Still debating the merits, but I think once I get my bonus check next week, I'll probably go with the M22's, although fwh, I am looking forward to your review.

Cheers,

DL