Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Small Den System with Axiom M3ti's

I had such great success with my Axiom HT theater setup I'm considering them for my Computer Room/Den stereo. The room is fairly small @ 12'X11'. I'm setting a budget of no more than $1k. I don't care about AM or FM anymore. There isn't anything worth listening to on radio anyway. So I'm thinking integrated amplifier and CD player. I can get a good deal on an NAD C320BEEE and a NAD C521BEEE for around $550. That leaves me with $450 to spend on speakers and wire. I'm considering a pair of Axiom M3ti mounted on the wall or possibly on a set of stands. My biggest concern is the base extenstion only going down to 60hz. I really don't want a sub woofer in the den. My music preferences are varied. I enjoy everything from Jazz/Classical to Hard Rock and everything in-between. I'll likely hook a line to my XM PNP receiver and another to my computer sound card. I like to listen to internet streams from the BBC and other countries (I'm in the US). So my question is this: Is anyone else that's reading this using the M3ti in the manner that I describe. Is there a better speaker (God forbid) other than Axiom that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Tom

My HT setup.
M22ti Mains
VP-100 Center
QS4 Surrounds
VTF-2 MK-2 HSU Sub.

You lucky dog. I've been wanting to put together a nice 2 channel system for awhile, but my wallet has been being raped by all sorts of other needs.

I've heard nothing but great reviews on the NAD C320BEEE. That paired with a pair of M3ti's would probably be perfect.

The M3ti has pretty much been deemed the "bedroom/den" speaker, as it has a bit "fuller" sound than the M2i, which means in a smaller room, a sub would not be a must.

What are you going to be using for a cd player?

I don't suppose you could save a few $$ somewhere else, get your wire from Home Depot and spring for M40's ($504 US via Factory Outlet). One could argue that you're better off spending money on a bigger enclosure than on stands for the M3.

The M3s are will probably be just fine -- I used M2s and even they were surprisingly good without a sub for everything except kick-ass rock -- but the M40s hit -3dB at 40 hz vs. 60 hz for the M3s if you are concerned about bass extension.

I have not had a chance to hear M3s but based on my experience with M2s I expect they will be great all-round speakers. If you think you will miss the bass the M40s might be an option.

Spiffnme wrote:
"What are you going to be using for a cd player?"

I'll be using the matching C521BEE.

TRG,
I have a pair of M3ti in my computer room with a tube amp and they have plenty of bass. I think you will be happy with them in a small room. These are sweet little speakers if you were using the M22ti then you would appreciate a sub with them.

M3s are a great choice for a 2 channel system. I just saw a 5 watt per channel (in Single End Triode Mode) integrated tube amp, an Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT for $300 on ebay. I used one of these with a pair of M3s and think it was head and shoulders better than the same system with a pair of M22s. JMO.

If I were doing this, I would get a used Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT, a used Sony DVP NS685 DVD player as a CD source (about $150), a run of Mapleshade Clearview Double Golden Helix speaker wires and interconnects, and enjoy the MUSIC. BTW, I'd mount the M3s on stands, get them away from the walls. If you can get the ASL integrated amp for $300, the Sony DVD player for $150, you'll have enough left over for a quick little Velodyne CHT8 subwoofer, a perfect, perfect match for the M3Tis. IMO, if you do anything else, you'll be getting something less.

I second the motion for the CHT 8. I hide mine in a bookcase and it was $180 with shipping.

Hey TRG,
I think you will find the M3 to be "pretty darn good" but try to get 6 feet away from them if you can. I ran them for a while in a spare bedroom from a shelf over the desk, and liked them better when sitting back away from it. I have Michaura M55s (thanks to 2x6spds and kcarlile) in that spot now and like them a little better. Turning on the loudness on the Luxman receiver that drives them makes them OK as long as I don't look for huge bass. If I want serious listening and big bottom, I go to the living room. The M3s are doing stand-alone duty in the family room now and sound surprisingly good for little ones. I don't think you would be unhappy with them.

Oh 2x6spds, you had to go and use the "T" word. I have wanted a tube amp for a long time now. I added a few entries to my Ebay favorites list including the ASL amp you recommended. We shall see if it produces anything in the next few months. I'm not in a big hurry. In the mean time you re-sparked my interest in a tube powered headphone amp. This is another one of my "wants" for years. There are times on the weekend when I get up my regular work time and my family is still asleep. I'd love to slip on my Grado's and enjoy the warm sound and glowing light of a tube headphone amp without disturbing anyone. Does anyone know of a roundup style review that covers several brands of tube headphone amps? I'm thinking about the following amps:

ASL MG Head Mk III
Woo Audio W-1 or W-3
MAD Ear+ (kit version)
Singlepower PPX3
Earmax

I have the technical know how to go the DIY route and actually prefer to go that route. There is something to be said for the "I built that" proud feeling you get when your project is complete.

BTW - Purchasing the headphone amp will not take away from the "Den stereo" budget. I work very hard and deserve both. Now if I can just convince the wife

TRG, If you want to build a Kit why don't you go to bottlehead.com and check out the Singled Endeded Experimenter also known as SEX it is a great tube headphone amp. I have the foreplay preamp and you can't believe the sounds this kit provides.