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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
corduroy41 #420199 08/28/16 04:38 PM
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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.

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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
BBIBH #420200 08/28/16 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted By BBIBH
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 Search the Water Cooler forum for historical references - and many visits, including mine in 1991 which shows the early views of the plant.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.

Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
bridgman #420201 08/28/16 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted By bridgman
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.

Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
corduroy41 #420204 08/28/16 07:13 PM
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Fwiw there are vintage M80's.
At least of you think of them as 1st generation, 2nd generation,....etc.



Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
2x6spds #420205 08/28/16 07:44 PM
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"Vintage speakers, suspend judgment until you've heard them."

All vintage speakers sound similarly good through tube gear smile.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
bridgman #420206 08/28/16 07:46 PM
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And yes, Mojo does appear to be an actual master of sarcasm"

I feel these boards need some spicing up smile.

Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
corduroy41 #420207 08/28/16 07:52 PM
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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.
Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
corduroy41 #420211 08/29/16 03:11 AM
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Originally Posted By corduroy41
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.

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Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
corduroy41 #420213 08/29/16 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted By corduroy41

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.
Re: AX-5 Reference Monitors
BBIBH #420214 08/29/16 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted By BBIBH
Originally Posted By corduroy41

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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