Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Axiom and research.

Quite a few speaker manufacturers use the V* for newer versions. Others make up a whole new name or number even though it's not much different than the model it replaces.

Right Adrian, that is what I see on your second point, haven't noticed the V thing much, but I really haven't done much research. For the most part I think people realize that companies strive to improve products (technical or cosmetic) over the years, that keeps customers coming back.

Maybe I am wrong, but I could see how some might look at prior versions as being inferior to the latest and greatest Vx model, when in fact the changes might be very minute.

My preference would be to leave the model number alone. People assume that over time the product might improve. Heck, the Chevy Silverado 1500 has been around for decades, and all of them have been awesome in their own right.

Philippe, of course we have no information on which we could base an informed discussion, as to what, if any, projects exist. It can be mentioned that the term "high-end" is usually synonymous with "high-priced", and is often used to lend snob appeal to products which actually have no audible superiority. That wouldn't be Axiom.

I wouldn't be thinking in terms of a higher line but new designs like what was mentioned a sound bar or transmission line designs, self powered subs in a floorstander, etc.

A 30 years M80 edition had would be nice.

Personally, I am completely happy with the M80s and don't think I would be interested on higher end. I am not sure I would even be able to notice any improvement as the ones I have sound perfect to me.

+1 (although I wouldn't mind getting a new pair of V3's in a custom finish)

First on the list of upgrades is the vp180 for me though. I will probably get it in the same standard black vinyl and when I finally get a chance to upgrade to a custom finish I'll buy a complete new system and have two axiom setups.

Although I'll admit that I personally would not likely buy them in my CURRENT room, I'd still like to see some M100s or M120s with 3 or 4 8" woofers.....

I dunno, but, from what I have seen in recent years, a number of well-known and sometimes so-called "high-end" speaker companies have made numerous aesthetic changes in their lines without any actual audible improvements to the sound. I have a friend who has been in the A/V retail business for over twenty years and he has managed a store for much of that time that has carried the complete Paradigm line from almost their inception. Surprisingly enough, the consensus of opinion amongst all the employees in the store is that the older lines sounded better, so who knows?

There is also the issue of where many companies are doing their manufacturing now. Even B&W, other than their "top-of-the-line" 800 series, all their other models are now being built in China, however, despite that, I don't see a reduction in their prices.

I believe the business model Axiom is using is the right one in that you do tweaks from time to time in a "tried and true" product and periodically bring out something new, like the VP180, that turns the A/V world upside down. I am not sure what the point is in producing a product that has "perceived" better internal parts and more elaborate cabinetry so you can justify doubling the price by saying that it is going to sound audibly better. This is especially the case with Axiom, when it comes to choices in finishes, no one else in the industry even comes close.

Anyway, we know where the product is built and the time and effort put in to it, otherwise Axiom wouldn't be celebrating their thirtieth anniversary this year.

Nice post, Casey.