Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Axiom M5HP vs Revel M16

Hello everyone. I'm looking for some advice. I currently have a 2.1 system consisting of Chane A1.4s and an Orb Audio sub. I have the Yamaha RXA-860 receiver to run everything. I am looking to upgrade the speakers and the sub. I looked at Axiom Audio years ago but now I am intrigued by the M5HPs. I'm also looking at Revel M16s. Has anyone compared the M5HPs to the M16s? I know that Axiom and Revel are both science driven. Eventually this will expand to a Dolby Atmos system with dual subs. It will be used for just about everything; watching tv, movies, music and gaming. Any input will be appreciated.

I haven't but I refer you to my review titled "Holography and Black Magic" below. I expect at least a far "better" midrange on the M5HP compared to the Revels. Maybe even a better hand-off to the tweeter.

https://www.axiomaudio.com/m5-bookshelf-speakers

Since then, I tried them in my much smaller, 1920 cu. ft. living room. Unfortunately, in that room, the bass was over-whelming and I didn't have EQ to attempt to correct it. The bass control just would not do it. The M2OW were the ultimate speaker for that room. I will be trying M5OW to see if they are more appropriate.

Regarding the living room placement, Trevor has them successfully installed in his living room which is similar size to mine. He has them on the short wall though which would make for an improved in-room bass response. He's also installed them for others.

I also expect the M5HP to play louder and cleaner. I heard the M5HP starting to complain at 105dBC peaks from 12 feet away. I could drive an M5HP/800v4 to 107dBC peaks at 12 feet away with them crossed to the 800v4 at 80Hz. That's with music.

Yes. Into 3rd system with Axiom now (apart from my own).

They make me look good, so I recommend them highly.

Thank you for responding. The room these will go in is 12×26×9. I'll read your review by the way. My concern is the titanium tweeter may be a bit bright. Is that a valid concern?

Not valid at all. The v4 tweeter in all Axioms I have is absolutely sublime.

They will shine in that room size.

No, non issue. Overall balance is excellent with very pleasant bass.

Install is important, so make sure you dont compromise your experience with improper setup. Enjoy!

They like power so feed them well. My latest effort was inwall M5HPs flanking a 110” screen. Powered with a denon 3700. The amp runs out before they do. Owner is happy happy.

Highly recommended.

I gave them all the ADA-1000-2 had. It was ridiculous for my 1920 cu ft living room but not for my 4200 cu ft space. My living room was quaking like I had 800xfour subs in it. Then I baked them good with the ADA-1500-2 in my main 4200 cu ft room. I kept turning it up more and more...I could smell voice coil adhesive and cross-over...LOL! I was worried I'd ignite them. Ian told me to keep on going. I got worried and stopped. By that time, the HP woofer was fibrillating and the dustcap was 7 degrees above ambient. I'm sure it was a few hundred degrees at the coil. This was all without a sub. They sounded totally normal after all that.

Just like every other Axiom, I tried ripping the woofer and mid-woofer apart by playing well below the rated frequency. I am talking Bassotronics. And LOUD! I could make them sound bad due to port noise and driver distortion but I couldn't damage them. Once I kicked the 800 in, they sounded totally normal.

After that description how could you buy the Revels!?

I love that Axioms are that well built. Hilarious too, Ian, “ keep going !”

I need to build a well insulated sound damped room. I want to be able to crank the tunes to insane levels. I’m gonna start planning now.

Yeah, it's good fun. I don't listen loud though. I find the soundstage gets destroyed. Rooms can only offer so much no matter how good they or the speakers are.

Ive messed with this a fair bit -given I have a soundproofed room (stc 65ish) and I agree with Mojo. After a certain volume your ears attenuate sound naturally to protect them from harm. This messes up any chance of happy squint listening. That said, nobody has ever said “this track images better at lower volume.” Always, “holy shit! It goes louder?!”

I dont remember the db off hand, but I remember our ear mechanism clamps faster at higher frequencies than low due to our sensitivity.. Like our ear’s circuit breaker. Something tells me 90ish db. Cant remember. The effect lasts for a bit after exposure and actually changes results in hearing tests.

I find there is a definite SPL threshold in my room where the soundstage depth collapses. As the volume is increased, the images get larger and they move towards the front. I don't like that. I find this is the case regardless of speaker. The threshold is raised as I move the speakers into the room. Thankfully with the way I have things set up, that threshold is louder than I care to listen to.

This is no different in my living room where the M2OW/dual EP125s are.

Thanks to everyone for their input. The M5HP are the at the same pricepoint as the Revel M16. I know the Revel's are highly thought of. But with the M5HP's being a 3 way they are very intriguing. My main focus is in soundstage and clarity. I can audition the Revels but not the M5HP. So once again thanks for the input.

I am not a betting man. However, I would definitely wager on this because it is a sure thing. The M5HPs will give you greater clarity, at all volumes, compared to the Revels. I cannot wager on the soundstage and imaging. I know damned well the Revel Spinorama is nothing to be sneered at.

BTW, you need to audition in your own home. Otherwise, there is no point.

Having just upgraded my Yamaha RXA-860 I can say there is a huge difference to the newer Yamaha units. Picked up an RX-A1080 demo unit and i'm SHOCKED how much better it sounds. it's night and day.

And btw, Axiom's M3's will demolish those the Revel M16, the M5's are not a fare comparison. You need a new receiver though, no matter what you go with.

The M3 has the same soundstage and imaging as the M5HP. It does not however have the same imaging resolution or tonality. The M3 is like 480p and the M5HP is like 1080p when it comes to spatial resolution.