Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Speakers comparable to M3ti?

Adding a stereo only system to the office at home and am working on a limited budget.

I happily own pairs of M2ti, M22ti, and QS8. Have never heard the M3 myself, but I've read plenty of positive things from you folks. I like my other Axioms, so I'm pretty confident that I'd be happy.

I thought I had purchased a used pair of M3s on Audiogon for $200, but the seller decided not to sell. I've now put a wanted ad on Audiogon.

Meanwhile, since I don't see a ton of the M3s for sale used, I was wondering if you folks have any suggestions for other inexpensive speakers (new or used) to check out that would be fairly comparable and would meet my $200 limit?

Thanks for your help.
Rich

Keep checking ebay, I guess. I can't think of anything new for $200 that would be worthwhile.

Not M3 caliber, but here's a possibility:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14991&item=5779346338&rd=1

and another:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=61381&item=5779426559&rd=1

One possibility would be used Paradigm Atoms. Not as good as the M3s but likely to be available for your budget. I got a great deal on a pair for $100 CDN, if you were up here I could sell 'em to you.

I would find a way to spend a bit less somewhere else and hold out for FO M3s ($270). It's easier to find decent cheap receivers than decent cheap speakers IMO.

Otherwise, just watch the dealers for clearouts.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Unless I hear any other amazing ideas, I think I'm going to see how it goes on Audiogon for a while. Meanwhile I'll keep my eyes open for any other specials at other stores.

Otherwise, I'll probably end up ordering FO M3tis at some point. I'll ask Amie if I still qualify for the system discount because of my previous purchases.

Thanks again.

Rich

Try out the Athena AS-B2...It will be a crisper sound though. If you go to the Athena website, www.athenaspeakers.com there is a comparison review with the Axiom M3Ti and the AS-B1 which has a 5 1/2" woofer. The AS-B2 has a 6 1/2" woofer. AND, if you get them from BEST BUY (probably at a big discount), you can take them back for thirty days if you don't like them, no questions asked.

It IS interesting isn't it? I mean the references to the M3 in so many other speaker reviews. I had compilled a list of almost two dozen M3 reviews, both for the M3s individually and in reference reviews for speakers, for electronics, and even for speaker cables that far outpriced the M3s!

Are they as good as the M2 or M22? I dunno, but one test of a relatively expensive tube amp had a reference to how good the M3s sounded with it. The interesting thing was that the M3s were owned by the same tester that placed the M22 above the M3 in the first place, at an earlier date!

I thought it was cool anyway.

>>Are they as good as the M2 or M22?

As "good" as ? Absolutely... M3s (and their big brother M40s) really do sound as good as everyone claims.

As "accurate" as ? No, M3s dip down a tiny bit in the midrange and bump up a tiny bit in the bass. A lot of people (including me on many days) prefer that sound, particularly on less than perfect content. The M2s and M22s are definitely more accurate though...

One of the little peversities about the audio industry is that a lot of what we listen to is mixed on speakers whose response is more like the M3 than the M2/M22. So... if the M3 speakers have a response more like the reference speakers, but the M2/M22 speakers are more accurate, "what is flat" ?

I like to think that reference speakers are getting a bit more accurate every year but I have no idea if that is actually the case. I mean "the reference speakers used to make a track sound good on a good stereo system", not "the reference speakers used to make a track sound good on an AM radio or boombox".

Right you are, John; good points well made!

What I probably should have said to Rich, "Dad of Sam and Noah"(I "think")who(I understand)has both M2s and M22s, Was, "Are they as good to Your ears....?"

You bring up some really fun points though on "reference" speakers!(I think I've read, and agree with, much of the same stuff you've read!) I certainly agree with your assesment of the M3/M2 M22!!

One thing I find interesting about Axiom, and something that I think I picked up here and there, was that Axiom is working very hard to make their speakers "flat" but are, at the same time, working just as hard to make their speakers "Sound Good." And what is equally well understood: A flat speaker does not necessarily "sound" good. So it's a tightrope; a real "art and science both togther" situation.

What seems to make it a lot of fun, especially in forums like this, is the deal where we all can pretty much agree on what "Looks" good on paper, but we can't hardly agree, generally, within our own Posse' about what "sounds" good! (OK, ok, that's an exageration!)

Hey,absolute agreement whould make for very boring forums, wouldn't it?: We'd only be able to argue about which would be the "Best" finish to have on our identical sounding systems!! This way is much more fun!!

So, Viva the....
Rich.

F107 and Bridgman--

First, F-Man (if I may call you that ) you are right. Sam and Noah are my two sons.

Anyhow, I have read all of those reviews of the M3, and have noted their comparisons, like in the review of the Athenas. That just makes them all the more attractive!

I do love my M22s and M2s (and my Magnepans), but I'm just looking for a set of standalone (no sub) stereo speakers for my wife's home office. Hence, the desire for the M3s.

And I got myself one of those Sonic Impact T-Amps to power this thing, so it's as much for me (in the end) as for my wife. So, unless I get an incredible deal (and I am looking at some Athenas <$100) I'll try to buy some of the M3s. I just need to be patient. I want 'em, I need 'em.

Thanks again to everyone.

Rich