Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Can't decide m80 or m80 hp

I auditioned M80s(v2) and Studio 100s(v5?) a few years ago and it's pretty even. You'd really be hard pressed to choose one over the other as differences (to me) were subtle. The M80s have been updated a couple of times since as were the Studios which, in fact, have been replaced by the Prestige series recently. How these newer speakers compare...I couldn't say, having heard neither.

Thanks guys for the awesome run down. Just place an order for m80 and the 180 center to go with it. I'm mostly be using it for home Theater 90% movies 10% music.. I hope the center would be as good as the m80.

You will be happy, I have v3 M80s without HP drivers and they still make me smile and the 180 is a M80, just horizontally configured.
I upgraded from the 150 to the 160, so haven't heard the 180 but am happy with what I have. Looks like you will have some fun coming your way and just might be upping the percentage of music.

I have the M80 v3 and VP180V3/
Yes, the Studio 100's have been discontinued. Prestige it is and oh $1500 more.
I have not heard the M80v4 HP but these Prestige is a better sound overall. more bottom end. I am not really sure they are worth but to each his own $1500

If you listen to music alot and with a sub, as Ian has said the difference between the M80 and M80hp is moot.

If you listen to 2ch music no subs and loud then you will notice the difference.

If you are talking M80v3 and Studio 100v5 given they both cost practically the same now. I'd take the Studio 100, just because the price points are close and I give the nudge to Paradigm here. If we were talking M80v3 prices a few years ago, $1600 vs the $3400 Paradigm well then I would take the M80v3 just because the difference was not worth $1800.
The finish is no comparison Prestige all the way. If your talking real veneer finish on Axiom then the price goes up to $3000. Still I don't think the Prestige is worth the extra $1500.

All said and done if you use a sub then M80v4, if not M80HP. My M80v3 I wish more sub for music so, need a sub just for that little extra.

[quote=TroyD]I have the M80 v3 and VP180V3/
Yes, the Studio 100's have been discontinued. Prestige it is and oh $1500 more.
I have not heard the M80v4 HP but these Prestige is a better sound overall. more bottom end. I am not really sure they are worth but to each his own $1500

If you listen to music alot and with a sub, as Ian has said the difference between the M80 and M80hp is moot.

If you listen to 2ch music no subs and loud then you will notice the difference.

If you are talking M80v3 and Studio 100v5 given they both cost practically the same now. I'd take the Studio 100, just because the price points are close and I give the nudge to Paradigm here. If we were talking M80v3 prices a few years ago, $1600 vs the $3400 Paradigm well then I would take the M80v3 just because the difference was not worth $1800.
The finish is no comparison Prestige all the way. If your talking real veneer finish on Axiom then the price goes up to $3000. Still I don't think the Prestige is worth the extra $1500.

All said and done if you use a sub then M80v4, if not M80HP. My M80v3 I wish more sub for music so, need a sub just for that little extra. [/quote


So I'm assuming studio sounds a tad better? a paradigm dealer in my area still has A pair of studio 100 piano black for sell new, they're asking $2700 plus tax. Is it worth the extra cost?

In late 2007 I compared my M80v2 against the Studio 100v3. The mid-range on the Studio 100v3 was superior to the M80v2. The image coherence and highs were slightly better on the M80v2.

Well, at $2700 that is $1000 less than Axiom v4 HP in High Glossy.
I am not sure how the v4HP would be against the Studio v3.
But, I would think if you got a pair of Axiom v4 HP in plain finish they would most likely be comparable. I am in the same boat as what Mojo said regarding the v2 and Studio v3. I would suspect though that both have made improvements. If the price difference was the same as it used to be I would take the Axiom, that a big reason I took Axiom was the difference for compareable speakers was alot. Now, Axiom has priced thier products in the same ballpark as other speaker brands or close.

I guess not having heard the v4HP, but if they have improved as much as people say over v3 and each cost the same. And if finish doesn't mean anything then flip a coin really their both awesome speakers. You could also order the Axioms take them to the store and compare them side by side then return the Axioms if the Studios are better and get the studios.

Also, remember if your using the sub with the speakers for music then this is mute and get the Axiom v4 non HP. Those are $1000 cheaper and I know the Studio v5 is not $1000 better

I been doing a bit of searching on different forums and Im getting mix reviews from people. They still prefer the paradigm over axiom. From what I read people are saying that the axiom speakers are bit too bright and tiny sounding compare to speakers around +/- price.

This review from soundstage compares the m80's to the monitor 11's....the Studios are likely on another level.

http://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=182:axiom-audio-epic-80-800-home-theater-speaker-system&catid=38:equipment&Itemid=2

Even though that review is 5 years old, the Axiom system was rated very highly by the reviewer at that time. V4 models have taken over now. Be advised, my experience, (and I have lots) with many comments on other forums is that there is a lot of hearsay & parroting by most people who comment. Unfortunately, they've never actually heard them.

Home Theater Shack has tested Axioms along with other brands over the past couple of years. I find that their work is very credible & pragmatic - much more so than many other sites.

These links will provide you with a good overview of what Axioms are all about:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/h...tion-event.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/h...ker-review.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/h...g-speakers.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/s...ier-review.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/s...tem-review.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/s...ker-review.html

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/s...ker-review.html

This roundup test included a Paradigm:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/h...tion-event.html

Hopefully these articles will dispel any doubts that you may have. Good luck in your quest...
TAM

Thanks for the direction.. I wonder now if I made the right choice on choosing the m80 over the m100. Its just the m100 are over my budget with the purchase of the vp180. maybe I should just get the m100 first than purchase the 180 after. Any thoughts on this? My room is about 3400 cu ft.