Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Axiom m60 vs. Athena AS-F2?

I am currently auditioning a pair of Athena AS_B1 with Denon 1604. I like the B1s but find that extremely lacking in bass. I contemplated getting a subwoofer but have read too many articles on both sides of the very popular debate:
bookshelves and sub/ or towers

I have demo-ed the Athena AS-F2 at the store as well as INfinity alpha50, mirage, sapphires, polks and IMO the AS-F2 was the best-sounding I've heard so far.

Then I stumbled upon Axioms and called into talk to an Axiom consultant who recommended based on my room size 12'x 15'x9' and music-only, to go with towers.

I know a lot of people have claimed that with jazz, classical, rock, the m60s are enough but my taste in music range from jazz, classical, acoustic rock to bass-heavy electronica like the Crystal Method, Massive Attack and Propellerheads.

I have only managed to compare the Athena AS-B1 bookshelves side by side with the Athena AS-F2 towers and find that the bookshelves lack warmth, depth and openness of the towers.

So my question is:

1. Has anybody ever compared the Axiom m60 with the Athena AS-F2
2. Again, towers or bookshelves and sub with my taste in music and circumstances

Until I heard the M60's I was firmly in the bookshelf and subwoofer camp. Most tower speakers have a muddy upper/mid bass that I hate. Not the M60's. They're crystal clear from top to bottom.

So I'd give the nod to the M60 towers.

That being said, the best of both worlds is the M60's AND a nice sub.

Athena is anotehr very good Canadian speaker, but Axiom beats them hands down.

M60's and M80's will beat Athena anyday, anywhere, anytime. They both have a very clear sound, and a very neutral one. The Athena's lack in openess and soundstage and clarity. They also aren't particularly cheaper than Axiom as I found out over the weekend (they used to be cheaper about two years ago).

A good pair of factory outlet M60's is pretty much the same price as a pair of high end Athena's.

You're in GA; I think some Axiom owners in Atlanta give auditions. Check out the "Auditioning Axioms in Your Area" thread in the Questions and Answers forum.

I've had M22 bookshelves plus a Hsu STF-2 sub, then M60s with the STF-2, then M60s and no sub, then with a VTF-3R. My room is 16 x 20 and I like plenty of bass.

M22s plus the STF-2 were amazingly good. But there's no question M60s and a sub are better, even a modest one like an STF-2. That said I can understand how some people like M60s with no sub. It's got plenty of bass and sounds great; I just like that extra kick in the chest.

Re M22s with sub vs M60 and no sub for music alone, that's a tough call. For an immediate choice I'd marginally take the M22s plus a sub. However in the long run I'd be happier with M60s and getting a sub later whenever I could afford it. That would best fit my music tastes; many are perpetually happy with M60s alone for music.

I think that you probably went through the entire thought process I'm currently going through right now. If you read my latest post topic "just demo-ed the m60s" I raised some of the points you just said.

I , like you, like plenty of bass. But my room is smaller and I am drawing the line at total budget. M60s plus a good sub is just too much speaker money for right now. (saving up for a car).

So although the m60s is great without sub I didn't really feel SATISFIED for the $800 pricetag. Which is a pretty lousy feeling. Then I turned on the sub and it hit me that I don't think I can do without one.

So having a smaller room, smaller budget even though I'd like to think in long-term (but long-term for me would be living room complete HT setup as opposed to bedroom music setup), I need to draw the line somewhere.

So it really comes down to, right now, I am considering the m22s with a good sub to get that extra kick the m60s alone won't give me.

What do you think?

Ok...I just answered you in that other thread, but now after reading this one as well. It seems you've already answered the question for yourself.

M22 and STF-2.