Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
Interesting... either I'm missing something or there are more versions of the AX-5 than I thought, ie more than just wedge vs box. The pictures I have seen are of slightly taller boxes with ports on the front, but yours appear to be sealed cabinets (or the ports are somewhere non-obvious or I'm blind). There also seem to be different grill arrangements, with the grill covering the entire front in some cases but only coming ~3/4 of the way down in others. Here is another flavor of AX5, with ports and a taller enclosure: http://seventiesstereo.blogspot.ca/2011/04/speakers-i-wish-i-owned-first-in.html
Last edited by bridgman; 08/28/16 04:44 PM.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18 |
As a long time owner of Axiom products, those models seem like early Axiom models. I owned AX 3, which were very similar and heard the AX5's on many occasions. Search the Water Cooler forum for historical references - and many visits, including mine in 1991 which shows the early views of the plant. The interesting design of the AX3 and 5 models were the cabinet within a cabinet with the original 3's front firing, and 5's rear firing, as the woofer was separated from the other drivers....oh, and the lifetime warranty, which I employed on several occasions to replace drivers. That played into my favour with Ian offering me a sensational deal to simply get my AX3's for the parts to re-purpose for use in repairing other AX3's to honour the "lifetime" warranty.
I can tell you with experience and without sarcasm, that my original AX3's do not compare with my M80's. I had lengthy discussions with Ian over the designs - having met Ian almost 30 years ago - and about the evolution of speakers, not wanting to trade in my AX3's....but I can tell you it was well worth the effort.
Though, based on your list of equipment, it seems you enjoy vintage equipment, so enjoy your journey! Interesting.. I never thought about how the warranty would play into the trade up for parts. I have heard the AX-3's and was surprised how different they sounded compared to the AX-5's due to the lack of a midrange driver. All this talk of the M80's though gets me more interested to hear them.
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18 |
Interesting... either I'm missing something or there are more versions of the AX-5 than I thought, ie more than just wedge vs box. The pictures I have seen are of slightly taller boxes with ports on the front, but yours appear to be sealed cabinets (or the ports are somewhere non-obvious or I'm blind). There also seem to be different grill arrangements, with the grill covering the entire front in some cases but only coming ~3/4 of the way down in others. Here is another flavor of AX5, with ports and a taller enclosure: http://seventiesstereo.blogspot.ca/2011/04/speakers-i-wish-i-owned-first-in.html Yes! This is what I was coming here for mostly. There seem to be a few variants. Mine are not ported. Almost all the other I see are ported, much like from the link you posted. I figured the wedge design was just a newer model, same with the taller variants. I thought maybe I had somewhat of a rarer model here and wanted to share to see if you guys knew anything interesting.
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021 Likes: 1 |
Fwiw there are vintage M80's. At least of you think of them as 1st generation, 2nd generation,....etc.
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116 |
"Vintage speakers, suspend judgment until you've heard them." All vintage speakers sound similarly good through tube gear .
House of the Rising Sone Out in the mid or far field Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116 |
And yes, Mojo does appear to be an actual master of sarcasm" I feel these boards need some spicing up .
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37 |
Well, yes, tube amplifiers do sound better. However, low efficiency speakers are a difficult load for low power SET tube amps.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
Yes! This is what I was coming here for mostly. There seem to be a few variants. Mine are not ported. Almost all the other I see are ported, much like from the link you posted. I figured the wedge design was just a newer model, same with the taller variants. I thought maybe I had somewhat of a rarer model here and wanted to share to see if you guys knew anything interesting. Ian has a great collection of speakers at the entrance to the factory (ie when you go from offices/labs to factory). Not sure if he has one of everything but he did have a number of different AX models last time I was there. Hmm... the speaker collection isn't very far from the anechoic chamber... or the listening room. Hmm.
Last edited by bridgman; 08/29/16 03:12 AM.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 6
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 6 |
Interesting.. I never thought about how the warranty would play into the trade up for parts. I have heard the AX-3's and was surprised how different they sounded compared to the AX-5's due to the lack of a midrange driver.
All this talk of the M80's though gets me more interested to hear them.
The AX 3's had the same drivers as the 5's - tweeter, mid range, woofer- just a smaller woofer. They were produced over the years with the shorter cabinet, tall cabinet and anti sound wave shaped cabinet. The museum was moved when I was there for the 35th anniversary in Fall 2015, but I suspect it was a temporary thing, as it was in the factory near a new production area...but it seemed to have grown in the size of the collection!
Last edited by BBIBH; 08/29/16 11:14 AM.
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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18 |
Interesting.. I never thought about how the warranty would play into the trade up for parts. I have heard the AX-3's and was surprised how different they sounded compared to the AX-5's due to the lack of a midrange driver.
All this talk of the M80's though gets me more interested to hear them.
The AX 3's had the same drivers as the 5's - tweeter, mid range, woofer- just a smaller woofer. They were produced over the years with the shorter cabinet, tall cabinet and anti sound wave shaped cabinet. The museum was moved when I was there for the 35th anniversary in Fall 2015, but I suspect it was a temporary thing, as it was in the factory near a new production area...but it seemed to have grown in the size of the collection! Sorry, I was thinking of the AX-2's.. I forgot the 3's had the midgrange driver.
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