Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Yamaha R-N803 Adeqaute for M80HPs?

Nine subs! How many per system?
I have one per system and I'm very happy.

Maybe 10 years back I was hearing more about what I think were called "mid-bass" subs. I don't see that any more, but is that what you're doing? Or are you just covering a large area or dead zones?

I've written lots about this.

I have 5 in the main room and 2 in the living room. Two more 500s in walnut espresso and boston cherry are coming. All v4.

The main room has a black oak 800 front and centre, two 600s in walnut caramel on the side and two 500s in walnut natural in the back. One 800 would have been enough for anyone. I bought the two 500s with my active LFRs and immediately noticed more spatial diversity with the bass. With the current topology and the 600s added to the mix, there's a holy level of saturation simply not possible with any single sub. Of course there's also the headroom but that was never an issue even with just a single 800.

I have two 125s in the living room flanking opposing corners for use with the M5OW. With those, the bass is more mid-bassy (50 to 80 Hz) given the 125 response curve. What's very interesting however is just how textured the bass is even though the mid-bass just pops! I know it's not right but I don't care. It's totally addictive in its own way. So I have smooth, deep, saturating bass downstairs and pounding mid-bass upstairs. But both are very articulate.

The two new 500s will go in the living room and I'll see how they behave with the 125s. Andrew has said multiple subs should all be of "equal weight" but I think if you're careful in placement and adjustment, you can make it work very well. So maybe I can get both mid-bass pound and depth. We'll see.

BTW, I can hear growls and other effects from string bass with the sealed subs which I can't hear from SVS, Hsu and Klipsch/Polk/KEF (not even in the same league as the others). The 125 as well but they can't get as low and hit harder in the mid-bass.

I just became aware mid last year that Axiom made subs, of uniquely different design, that it hasn't announced. Likely they were custom. I think there's a lot of skunkworks going on over there that we're simply not privy to. I can't substantiate it but rumours have it that Ian has a lab in the Kamchatka Penninsula where he caters to the Soviet elite. I've heard stories of other labs too but it's all just speculation and conjecture.

I've probably never read about your subs because I tend to skip over sub posts. I confess I've never been a sub-head. But your description does make it sound interesting, and just like the omni's, apparently I've been missing out by keeping my head in the sand; so I'll have to expand my range. Again.

When I moved from the 600v2 to the 800v4, it was a revelation. It wasn't so much the 800. It was the v4. Then I had another revelation when I added two 500s up front.

No matter how good, one sub is not enough for most rooms. Even in my 1900 cu ft living room, one 125 or one 500 isn't the same as twins. Twin 125s give me more emotionally fulfilling bass than a single 500.

As for the omnis, adequate space is needed to fully extract their capabilities. I am much happier with M5s or even M2s (have both) in my living room over active LFR1100s. I keep saying all most people need is M2s and a good, sealed sub.

I have the Yamaha R-N803. Great receiver and it powers my PSB stratus Golds which need a lot of current with no problem at moderate to fairly high levels with good bass too. Not as incisive if I can use that word as my Bryston 3 because of the current issue but it's smooth and really handy for all it does including bluetooth, remote, vinyl and internet radio.
803 doesn't have HDMI connections but I connect it to the TV sound with the optical connection. Handy all in one with decent sound. The M80 is an easier drive than the Golds so should pair well.

The Bryston could use a pair of M5s.