Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Should I get M60s?

I am considering getting a pair of main speakers for my 13X18 room for about 900$. I have Marantz SR8300 receiver. Based on what I read, I am seriously considering getting M60's. However, here are other ones which are also interesting for me:
Axiom M60Ti
Rockets RS550
Paradigm Monitor 11
B&W 603
PSB 6T
Boston Acoustics?

Unfortunately, I can only audition B&W 603 out of this list, so I would appreciate any commnets on how any of these stack up against each other.
Thanks!

I probably shouldn't be replying to your question because I have never heard any of the speakers on your list EXCEPT my 2 week old M60tis. I haven't had much chance to experiment with them until today.

For the first time, I turned off the subwoofer, set the M60s to "large" in the receiver's menu, and put my receiver into "stereo" mode, so that I was listening to the M60s alone. I put on a CD by the jazz group FOREPLAY, titled Between The Sheets. HOLY GUACAMOLE! So far, I've gotten up three times and squeezed myself into the corner where my subwooofer is to be sure the doggone thing was off. It was. Just to be sure, I turned the subwoofer on, leaving the mains set to "large," and yes, I could tell the difference. Most of what the sub added was more physical than aural. I'm, as yet, undecided as to which I prefer; sub on, or sub off. I do know that, for the first time in my life (58 years), I've got the musical sound I've always wanted, right in my very own living room. I am in awe! I must mention here that the FOREPLAY album is one of the best mixed CDs I've ever heard. So, that may have something to do with how great the M60's are sounding right now.

To my admittedly uneducated ear, the response of the M60s is smooth across the entire frequency spectrum. Highs, mids, bass; all there and all balanced. I'm sure a graph would refute that, but the best way I can say it is I don't feel that anything in the frequency spectrum is missing. I don't have that "I wish I was hearing more highs/mids/bass feeling" that I've had with other speakers. Because of this, I can play the music at a reasonable volume without feeling that I need to "crank" it to be thrilled by the music. But, I also don't feel that there is an excess of anything. I am ecstatic! I suppose there are "better" speakers out there, maybe even one or two that are on your list. But, I sure don't need anything "better" than the M60s. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW GOOD THESE SPEAKERS SOUND! I feel like I just won the lottery!

I have done the A/B test between my M60Ti's and Paradigm Reference 11's. Indistinguishable sound quality between the two (both excellent in my opinion) but the Axioms are better value.

I own the Epic60 System (M60Ti, VP100, QS8, and EP350) and purchased a Marantz SR-8300 four months ago in January (Off Topic: what are your thoughts on the Maranz remote?). You won't be sorry with that combination.

Sean

vasia, the B&Ws I listened to were good (don't remember the model -$2200 floorstanders w/ funny little '57 Chevy tweeters on top!), but expensive and not as much to my liking as the M60s. The Boston Acoustics I heard were pretty wooly (basically bookshelf speakers on integrated stands w/ side-firing subs). Not heard the others. You should find someone close by who will allow you to give them a listen.

i have heard all those aside from the Rockets.

Get the M60's, or the M80's if your amp can handle a 4ohm load.

I auditioned the 603s and the M60s are clearly a more robust choice. In fact, the M60s are the equal of the B&W 703s, but at 1/3 the price. Order with confidence.

Jack, we will have to work with you a bit to see if we can help you overcome your reticence to express your feelings about the M60s . I'm guessing you are making bigjohn's mouth water a bit.

I just want to reiterate what Jack said - The M60's are incredible...I spend time with mine EVERY day and have yet to have the "what ifs."

^billy

Gee, I thought I was understatingly restrained. After I finished the FOREPLAY CD, I put another CD on, and it was like "Jeez. Who sneaked in and switched my speakers. The FOREPLAY CD is truly beautifully mastered.

I'm thrilled that you like them as much as you do. I wanted to give you a couple of weeks before I asked, but you apparently didin't need nearly that long to make up your mind.

I may borrow a friend's FOREPLAY CD ( he's been after me to try it). Until I got the Axioms, I wasn't much of a jazz guy. In fact, music was generally something that existed in the background. Now I have 9 of the Rippington's CDs. Can't get enough of it.

I hope the FOREPLAY CD your friend has is Between The Sheets. I'm not familiar with any of their other CDs, but I have a sneaking suspicion I'm gonna become familiar with them. Tomorrow I gotta try my BIG PHAT BAND CD.