Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Got my M80Ti's...Where is the bass?

First, let me say that they are amazing speakers that really define what great highs and mids should be. That being said...I am somewhat disappointed with the lack of bass from these speakers. I just replaced some JBL G400s that had good bass, but they also had a 10" woofer in them. I do have a (less than musical) sub that fills in where the M80s leave off.

Am I expecting too much?

Superstar- tell us a little about your setup, gear, and placement in the room. That would help get the suggestions going for you.

-Kevin

I'm guessin that one of the major issues is that you're not used to tight, clean, accurate bass. I've read a few reviews of the JBL G400's and their bass is quite often referred to as "big", "boomy", "slow"...

Going from that to the M80ti's is going to be a dramatic change. You're ears are accustomed to a big huge punch in the chest from the JBL's over-the-top boomy bass.

Your JBL might well have a hump in the 80-200Hz region that may provide a subjective impression of a "punchy" bass depending on personal preferences (I know many JBL speakers do this). The Axioms don't -- the M80's bass is highly accurate, tight, and "fast," which you may feel anemic at first. That said, the M80s may somewhat lack the energy in the very bottom octave (20-40Hz) depending on the room placement (I doubt that the JBLs have a real, clean energy in this region, either). A good sub will certainly help in the bottom octave.

I agree with all the responses so far. One thing I'd recommend to try to bring out the most bass is is adjusting the room placement. Try moving the speakers away from the walls a bit, at least 2 feet away to start with.

Once you get used to a tight, flat bass response, you'll wonder how you ever put up with boominess.

give it some time. I want to hear your thoughts in a month from now, I'd wager you'll be pleased with the bass response.

Supe, sushi's comments in particular may be pertinent. The M80s have accurate bass; it's possible that the JBLs were unnaturally prominent in the upper bass and that you became used to that as being normal and good.

A remote possibility, but it actually happened to someone here about a year ago: since the M80s have two sets of terminals, be sure that the jumper connecting them is tight so that the bass drivers are actually working.

I find my M80's bass sounds boomier the closer I position them back toward the rear wall, so I have mine placed aprox. 10" from back wall. Try various placements and other advise here, good luck!

I have 2 new M80Ti's connected to a HK AVR55. Infinity Sterling center (VP150 next week?), new QS8s, and a JBL 10" 150 watt sub (HSU in the near future). The M80s are 7' apart and about 2" from the front wall. the listening position is 10' from the M80s. the speakers are not towed in and are not in a corner of any kind. I double checked the speaker connections and they are fine. 10' of 12 ga. 99.9999 (semiconductor grade) copper wire in Tyvek sheathing to each.

They're only two inches from the wall? Or was that a typo? If so, give them some room!

What is your room size? It seems that you're kind of cramped. 2" from the wall, 7' apart, 10' from listening position...sounds like you're trying to squeeze some very big speakers into a very small space.