Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo M50s: what's the extra driver supposed to do?

(reposted from inside another thread)

From perusing the various reviews of the M50, I seem to get two contrary stories:

1. The M50 has quite a bit more clarity than the M40 (Alan Lofft says this a few times).

2. The M50 has less clarity than the M40s (mhw described them as having "muffled" vocals, expressing dissatisfaction with that term).

It seems like the M40 relative to the M3 adds more bass but loses a little midrange clarity; it would seem that some people are saying that the M50 has less of the latter problem, and some are saying that it has it more.

What's the theoretical effect of the second driver, to add more bass, or to improve the midrange, or both? Is there any consensus about how it actually sounds?

David

adding that driver makes the M50's more dynamic than the M40's. I have been told that the M50's are clearer in the midrange as well, as they have two drivers, not one, playing the midrange sounds. Bass extension is great due to the extra woofer and larger cabinet size.

Have you considered the M60's? Their midrange is more pronounced due to the introduction of a midrange driver. It is generally considered as the cleanest sounding tower speaker that most amps can drive as it is an 8ohm load, whereas the M80's at 4ohms can be tricky for most low end amps, but not Denon or Harman Kardon, to name a couple.

Yes, I've considered the M60s, but they're too expensive for me, I think. Plus, it sounds like they might be detailed to the point of discomfort for some types of recordings and maybe I'd like something more relaxed. Though my listening is mainly to classical and people do tell me that the M60s would be good for me. I'd like to try the M40s or M50s first, if I could just figure out which.

Thanks...

David

Do the 50s. You won't regret it.

I've read plenty of positive comments about the M50s (in particular, vis-a-vis the M22), and the characterization of them by the Axiom people makes them sound just right, a compromise between the M40 and M60. Nevertheless, of the handful of reports posted by customers who've actually heard the M50 next to the M40 or M60, I haven't seen any that favor the M50. So that's the source of my hesitation. Given that confusion, it would make more sense to go for the M40s based on their price and my worries about listening distance.

David

I have been told that the M50's are clearer in the midrange as well, as they have two drivers, not one, playing the midrange sounds.

Ravi, do you recall where you heard that? Thanks...

David

It's been said already but I will say it again, do the 50's. You won't regret it. I went from a set of M80's to the 50's. Nothing to do with money etc, I just liked the M50's more.........actually a lot more.

David,

I remember a while back someone posting a comparison between M50's and M40's saying the M50's had a clearer midrange.

perhaps an M50 owner can post their thoughts. I haven't heard the M50 in two years and only heard it once.

Well, I ordered a pair of M50s today.

A thought occurred to me afterwards: does the fact that the M50s are the only model not to have been reviewed by Soundstage magazine mean anything?

None at all. Who cares anyway about what "Experts" say. Get them home and give them a listen. If you don't like them, send them back.