Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners B&W 603 S3 vs Axiom Epic 60 home theater

Hi, guys

I had a Harman Kardon AVR 430 receiver and want to buy surround sound speaker system. My room is 15'x15'x9' and my budget is around $3000 Cdn. I check out the B&W 603 S3/LCR 600/601 S3 recently and it sounds good. One of my friend recommend Axiom M60ti/VP150/M2i/EP350 to me. However since Axiom is a direct seller so I can audit it myself and compare it with B&W.

So are there anyone have experience with both and give me some advise? Thanks.

The Axiom M60s sound almost identical to the B&W 703s. (and blow the 600 series away). Do an audition of the 703s and see if the M60s, at 1/3 the cost of the 703s interest you. Also, the B&W and Axiom centers I can't speak to, but B&W has NOTHING that approaches the Axiom QS8s (which you might want instead of the M2i).

A package of 2-M60s, 1-VP150 and 2-QS8s plus a $500-$600 sub should come in around $2000 US. I don't know how that translates to Canadian, but it's a pretty spectacular price/value package.

You might also check here to see if there is anyone close to you for an audition of the Axioms.

welcome dchui,
if you are interested in hearing an Axiom setup before you buy, try checking here - Audition Thread. There are numerous Axiom owners willing to offer up their home for a demo, hopefully you can find someone close by.

The B&W 600 series are generally thought of as more laid back, without the clear mid-high end that Axiom's have. If you are unable to find an Axiom owner in your area, try auditioning the B&W 703s. They are generally considered similar sounding to the Axiom M60/80s, and when I listened side-by-side with the 604s3, I felt the 703s were certainly the better speaker (much cleaner, more revealing high end).

Good luck!

damn you Ray! Must be the cold weather up here, slowing down my response time!

I did a lot of research about 6 months ago on this subject. I went to a local high end family owned business that carries B&W and other high end $$$$$ brands. I demoed the 703 series with the same receivers I was considering at the time. Although I did like what I was hearing, the price made me keep looking. I demo'd NHT, Paradigm, Klipsch, just to name a few. My brother in law owns a professional recording studio, and has always used B&W. After demoing my M60's, VP150, EP350, and 4 Qs8's to him recently, he is thinking about ordering some Axioms now. He can't believe the detail, accuracy, and sound coming from my speakers, especially at the price I paid, compared to B&W's. There are tons of threads on this website where people have asked the same question. In my opinion, as a recent purchaser of Axiom speakers, go for it, you won't be disapointed. Especially with the free shipping and guarantee to return them. I'm not sure where you live, but I would check the "Auditioning Axiom's in your area" thread in the Q&A forum, you may be able to get an audition...

Also, in my opinion, I would use Qs8's for surrounds not the M2i's. You will not believe what your hearing with these, as the sound will envelope you... They also do a great job for music...

Randy

m60's, VP150, EP350, 4 qs8's
denon 2805

Dchui:

I've auditioned both speakers; the B&Ws were powered via Rotel components; the Axioms had Yamaha. I listened to both the B&W 6 and 7 series, with their sub and the Axiom M60s with Qs8s and the VP100 using a SVS sub.

I've concluded--not even considering cost--that the Axiom M60s were an overall better sound for my preference. Please remember, its all about personal preference, but the M60s and 703s are quite close regardless of your listening style; however, I noted the M60s did give a considerably stronger bass and a more forward midrange, both of which are my preference.

As far as esthetics, the B&Ws had better overall appearance, but that should come with the additional cost. The Axiom's were not disappointing in any way, in terms of appearance or construction; however, they do not yet sell a line that has a tremendous spouse appeal. That would be their only downside, in my opinion. If they started selling M60s with real wood veneer, I'd pay two to three hundred more for them right now.

Before I close (I just read your question again) I don't think the 6 series is really that close in overall quality to the Axiom M60s. That is more apples to oranges, to me. The 7 series is more apples to apples.
TK

I didn't know this, I had heard that the drivers are made oversees, but this is the first I had heard they are Yamaha?

Thanks for all the reply.

Hi, Sirquack. I am doing exactly what he had done 6 months ago. I demoed the NHT st4, paradigm Studio 40, Klipsch RF 15 and B&W 603 S3 and personally like the "warm" feeling from the B&W. I didn't demo the 703 since it is way out of my budget so i didn't bother. I am glad to hear that M60ti is comparable to the 703.

I live in Calgary in canada and there is only 1 person in my area had Axiom speaker. I will try to contact him and see if i can arrange an audition.

So now i have another questions. Is the M60 and VP150 easy to drive. VP 150 is 6 Ohms. Can my AVR 430 (70 or 75W rms) handle them? Also, why use Dipoles speakers (Qs8)? I believe this kind of speaker creates diffused and non-directional sound effects. Now most sound format has at least 2 surround channels (or more), why not go for direct radiating speakers?

Thanks in advance and I am very appreciate for all your helps.

Check this article out by Axioms Chief Tech guru Alan...

http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/surroundsexplained.html

I would not call Qs8's dipoles, they are quadpolar design, two woofers, one firing up and the other firing down, two tweeters, one firing 45deg to the left, one firing 45deg to the right. You want to be SURROUNDED and ENVELOPED in the sound, not having it directed at a primary location. For SACD and DVD-A music listening, some people prefer direct radiating, but the Qs8's or Qs4's also do a great job for music...

The above article should clear things up.....Don't worry, the B&W guy tried to tell me the Qs8's would be a joke for Home Theatre, NOT, when you think you have bullets flying through you when watching "Open Range" you'll know what I"m talking about...

To support Axiom's surrounds, I offer this:

As I was watching K19 the other day (first true surround thing I've played through the QS4s) there was a point where I felt that I could reach out and point directly at the QS4s. They were "right there" which is not really a good thing. Then I looked up. Where I was pointing was a good foot back from where they were actually mounted... They're fantastic surround speakers.