Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo M22V3 Post Impressions

This isn't a review in as much as an update. I purchased these M22's about six years ago. They reside in my secondary system with my primary upstairs with Axiom M2V3's and Omega Super 5's. Both systems run on Denon Amps but this one also has an external AudioSource AMP110. It also includes a Canton Sub and an Aperion 5C center. I've had two weeks of uninterrupted listening sessions (quite rare) and this recent activity has caused me to to write and post.

I've read much praise regarding the Version 4 lineup however their (relatively) older stuff remains quite good. Real good.

Being positioned 1.5 feet from the back wall, toed in and 6 feet apart, their staging and imaging is spot on. The depth may be a bit lacking but that my be due to the console centered in between.

Sources include FM (yeah sometimes) and CD/SACD/DVDA/Blu-ray.

Without getting into too much X's & O's I'm still amazed at their clarity, smoothness and transparency. Their effortlessness presentation seems to suck you into the music. Sade (best of) puts you into the studio. Sound is lush and sweet. Changing gears, the M22's give you real gut check on the riffs, vocal and kick drums with metal's Delain "Live at Paradiso".

I remain astounded (sometimes) how good it can get. This is my conveyance.

https://imgur.com/a/2EVWid8

Rich, have you tried, just temporarily, to move them more into the room and see how the soundstage changes?

I've always suspected Axiom started the family of curves refinement with the v3 but perhaps didn't get as far as they wanted. I can't say for sure, but I surmise the v4 has improved on the curve implementation and of course the tweeters. Those tweeters are simply wonderful to listen to over the v2. Between the v3 and v4, the cross-over materials and layout may have improved also.

I am telling you Rich you should seriously give the M5s a try. I haven't heard them against the v4 M22s - only the M3s - but I expect them to best the M22s in every way.

I'll just add that I don't think the v4 can possibly get any better with the current architecture. I think a digital, active cross-over is the only possible improvement.

Mojo - I was quite pleased when they came out with the 3-way, M5's. It was a design much discussed. Proof again Axiom won't be stagnant and not willing just to be status quo.

My goodness yes, I've considered the M5's with all the V4 improvements. I would probably sell the M22's and move the M2's downstairs. The M5's would compliment the Omegas quite well in room #2. Maybe relocate the AudioSource as well to power them where they need to be.

Unfortunately, moving the M22's today to cure some minor imaging issues is not a possibility. WAF is alive and well.

Rich, can't you just move them out temporarily while she's out at "book club"? LOL!

Just the tweeter alone is worth the M5 upgrade. But the bass is so TIGHT and the mids so dispersive...so addicting. Then there's the deep and wide soundstage to boot with all those images dancing behind the little darlings.

You know they blow my M80v2 away, eh?

I've always enjoyed stand mounts over towers (preference). To hear the M5's are better than their earlier flagship M80's is a nice slice of confirmation. The Bryston relationship apparently is cascading nicely.

The M3v4 is better than M80v2. They're about 5dB shy of M80v2 max SPL but they are better in all other respects. And the M5HP is even better than the M3v4.

And so it begins... on the horizon M5HP in Rosewood, Real Wood Gloss.

I'm envious already. That's one mistake I made. I went with vinyl black oak. However, the grain and relief are much better than my v2.

All my Axiom bookshelves except for the M2 (natural cherry) have been Boston Cherry. My plan is never again get a pair of anything that doesn't have a pristine finish. It started with my Omegas (natural walnut). A fam member and fellow audiophile said heck, I look at them every day and why then compromise the aesthetic. I totally agree.

I love coming to Bufallo and eating at Buffalo Chophouse on Franklin.

I'm not convinced; on the other hand I'm not unconvinced either. I have M2s, M3s, M22s (v3), and M5s; and I go back and forth whether I like the M5s better than the M22s. I like the M5s, but I think the M22s are cleaner/crisper. For me, to keep it short - I like the M5s better for a home theater setup, but I like the M22s better for a purely music system. (But that's not exactly accurate either, as sometimes it depends on the genre or recording.)

My advice would be to demo both at the same time and keep the ones you like better most of the time. (Not sure how Axiom feels about that.)

Do you have the v4 tweeter in your M22v3?

I should have also purchased the M22s to try. I use the M5s strictly for 2-channel.

Hmmm...do you use a sub with the M22s? That could make a difference.

I love coming to Bufallo and eating at Buffalo Chophouse on Franklin.

Buffalo has some good places to dine and imbibe. Shoot me a PM next time you're in town.

I had to look, but the back of the M22 says v2! (But I'm pretty sure they told me they had already started switching in the v3 drivers. That does get me amped up to try the M22s with the v4 tweeter.

I do use a small Hsu sub.

Also, to be fair, the M5s are in my family room, maybe 20x16 and the M22s are in my study (14x13); the the low end has to be easier to hit in that smaller room. I've always wanted to swap them and do another comparison, but I'm way too lazy.

Cork, I really do recommend you try the v4 M22. The tweeter alone is a thing of beauty.

Rich, we can take the missus out and get her good and soused. That will leave us free to re-arrange your living room around your M22s.

Rich, we can take the missus out and get her good and soused. That will leave us free to re-arrange your living room around your M22s. [/quote]

That's a damn fun thought. It literally will take a miracle to 1) do the soused thing and 2) rearrange the parlor to better accommodate the M22's. I do however think we can modify #2 a slight bit. Nothing more.

Please note I do have my main listening zone that's completely mine. Sole operator in this space... I do come down for air now and then. Sorta like a whale only I descend. In this room are M2V3, Hoyt Bedford Type 1 and Omega Super 5's. I have not yet brought up the M22's. They seem to prefer the LR for some reason. I do frequently swap out for the M2's. These guys have more in common with the Omegas than not. They often achieve with aplomb.