Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Well, I got rid of the Marten Django Ls, they were represented as 'demos' but actually they had been repaired twice and I was the second owner. After a little back and forth, they gave me back my $6,000 and took the beautiful Martens back. I would never have been able to sell them for what I paid once I knew their history. It's good to be a lawyer.
I put a pair of Klipsch Fortes with the Bob Crites upgraded crossovers and titanium tweeter diaphragms into service. They sounded great. They were on Craigslist for one day. I sold them for $1,200, didn't get killed and met a very nice audio guy who had just moved to southern California.
I dragged my M80 V2s into the main 2 channel system. Boy, Doug Schneider was right in his Soundstage review of the V2s. They sound very good. Of course, they are driven by a pair of Balanced Audio Technology VK56 monoblocks (110 wpc), a VK33 preamp, an Audio Research PH9 phono stage, Dr. Feikert Woodpecker turntable, Koetsu cartridge ... they should sound good. A very decent sounding speaker!
I have them up for sale as well, along with the Audio Research phonostage. Got to fill the kitty for a new pair of Wilson Sabrina Xs in black diamond finish. They'll be here in 6 weeks. Someone is going to be very happy with this pair of Boston Cherry M80 v2s.
Ian sure knows how to design an excellent speaker. I am very impressed. I know the new ones sound much better, but they stand on the shoulders of their mature and excellent forbearers.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
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1 member likes this:
merchman |
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37
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OK, no one else is interested. I don't care, I'm comfortable talking to myself.
So, tonight my friend Alex came over to return my EAR88pb phonostage I lent to him. I retubed them with Matsushita National 6DJ8s, a great upgrade from the tired JJs that were in it. He also brought over a $9,000 pair of Transparent Audio RCA cables. Go ahead laugh, they're not mine.
So, we listened to the Axiom M80 v2s with about $20,000 of amps and preamp, $6,000 phono stage, about $11,000 table, cartridge and 12" arm and about $12,000 in cabling. These M80 v2s are not likely to sound better than they do in this system.
How did they sound? REALLY GOOD. They sparkle, the mids are rich and accurate, the bass is good. Sounds like they go down to the mid 30s. These are accurate, excellent speakers. They are smooth, there is no noticeable discontinuity between the tweeter and drivers, they reproduce the timbre of instruments very accurately. These would be credible, entry level audiophile speakers that compete well with many expensive towers.
Listened to the Analog Productions 45 LP, Dream with Dean, one of the best recorded albums ever. All the songs on this album share pretty much the same pace and style. Dean's voice was rich, and sounded excellent. Then we listened to the Analog Productions 45 LP, Time Out, The Dave Brubeck Quartet. We were both very impressed. He has a pair of Marten Django XLs, and has a very high end system. Nevertheless, the Axioms sounded excellent and did not embarrass by the comparison. The timbre is right, they were accurate, and presented significant air around the instruments. The soundstage was excellent, instruments were where they belonged and did not move around! Finally, we listened to the Analog Productions of Rimsky Korsakoff's Scheherazade, Fritz Reiner conducting, and although this symphony was not a great test (lots of airy highs, mids, not a lot of orchestral bass excitement) The M80s sounded pretty darn good.
Did they sound as good as the Marten Django Ls ($10,000), no, they don't go as deep, the mids are not as rich, the highs not quite at that level, and they lack the bass slam, but for 15 year old, modestly priced towers, they sound very, very good!
Compared to the Wharfedale Elysian 4s ($10,000), the M80 v2s are a credible alternative! The Wharfedales do go a bit lower, have an AMT tweeter, are drop-dead gorgeous, but the M80s sound very similar. So much for the detractors of the titanium tweeter 2.0. I've never listened to the Wharfedales in my home, but have spent quite a bit of time with them driven by the glorious Luxman KT88 power amp and high-end Luxman preamp.
Anyway, this is a good reason to call Ian tomorrow and chat. Nice job Ian!
Last edited by 2x6spds; 07/21/21 04:13 AM.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
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Kodiak |
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 69
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You guys living in California ever consider hiring Grimani or Mellor to look at your rooms? Someone in your club must have a pro built room?
Would be curious if those super systems could be pushed further.
When I see dollar figures like that I start equating to room build budgets. I guess you would need to decide if you want your Sabrinas to be your last setup or not. Something tells me what’s around the corner is part of the excitement for you in the hobby. And thats cool too.
But a purpose built room. Now were talking. Depends what your goals are.
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,749 Likes: 37
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Hi Trevor
Quick answer. No. Alex's system is in a pretty small room which is over treated. All that expensive equipment sounds pretty dull. My living room (2 channel system) just has the twin towers. Framed roxul covered by acoustically transparent material 7' x 4'. Seems to have tamed things pretty well. The best sounding room is a friend's sunroom, a nice sized screened in venue, totally untreated,which sounds great.
My other 2 channel room is a pretty small bedroom with a peaked ceiling, home to the Harbeth 30.2 A system, sounds pretty good. Totally untreated.
Real estate is crazy expensive here in Southern California. Most of us make do with using the space we have.
Last edited by 2x6spds; 07/21/21 04:50 PM.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,901 Likes: 101
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2009
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Alex's system is in a pretty small room which is over treated. All that expensive equipment sounds pretty dull. When the HT was just exposed safe and sound on 4 walls and ceiling a friend commented on how great the room sounded "this is what you want in an HT to sound like" . He said it with such authority that I didn't correct him. I think he just liked how quiet it was ... I'm sure he would have been disappointed once the music started playing ...
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
My M80 V2's are still rockin the PorterPlex all these years and still sound jaw-dropping.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
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My M80 V2's are still rockin the PorterPlex all these years and still sound jaw-dropping. I still have my M80 TI's rocking the place..... Love them. They are getting a bit of love this winter with some Walnut veneer.
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Kodiak |
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116 |
You're sending those abominations back for a new outfit? Isn't it cheaper to just trade up to v4? You get real wood now.
House of the Rising Sone Out in the mid or far field Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
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connoisseur
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No, I am veneering them myself. And I have a set of M80 V4's too. I like the TI version equally.
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Re: Just Put M80 V2s Back in System
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Joined: Dec 2019
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aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Dec 2019
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Ouch. My m60ti heard you say that. They’re depressed now. And they’re wearing old clothes too.
M60ti Hafler9505 & JFET Pre,Axiom Transformer. M3 Marantz PM7200 Dual 606 Denon 2700 M2 Yammy RX595
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