Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Speaker dilemma (On wall)

OK, I have dilemma. A new piece of expensive furniture has replaced my current set up which included running two def tech sm450's off an onkyo 939. I use to use the Onkyo 939 for my home theater and upgraded too a denon 4806. So, I placed the Onkyo in the family room/kitchen, where we sit around and enjoy libations and sometimes party until early in the morning. This room is not ideal for dedicated audiophiles, but it is the party place.

Now that I can't use the def tech's anymore (too deep and won't fit on the new $2500 Amish sideboard/Credenza which sports a 42 inch panny plasma) and don't want to hang them on the wall, I have to revert to onwall speakers. So, I want to find the best speaker I can and possibly subwoofer that I can place next to the plasma. The sub would go underneath. My room is "live" as Chris Dixon stated, so I need the speakers to do the work and allow the room to have its deficiencies. So, please recommend to me the best on wall speaker you know of: I have a $5000 tops, budget (two speakers, one sub).

I really was considering Triad silvers, but they have no on wall. I am also considering Triad golds or Bronze. My goal is to hear music as purely as possible relying mostly on the speakers. I also own a Nad 1600/2400 tuner and pre-amp tuner and a rotel 880bx.
My room is approximately 14 by 20, vaulted ceiling, French style ceramic tile, one couch, Kitchen cabinets, a breakfastnook with miscellaneous tapesty rugs on the floors. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Lstly I was looking at the Axiom on-walls AS 150 but there seems to be an incredible amount of controversy over Axioms.

The only way you will ever be able to settle any alleged "controversy" to your satisfaction is to listen with your ears in your room.

Call Axiom.

My understanding is that the W22 is designed to be virtually identical to the M22 sonically. To save you the time/trouble of a proper inwall installation, you might consider auditioning the M22 for a bit to see if you like the Axiom character. If so, I believe Axiom will allow you to upgrade to another model within the 30 day trial period. If you are not satisfied, the only thing you may lose is the return shipping cost.

In reply to:

---

My goal is to hear music as purely as possible relying mostly on the speakers.

---

Based on your post I would recommend staying away from inwall or onwall speakers. They can sound quite good but if you are truly lookig for "pure" sound, and can not have floor standers any more, my suggestion is to go with bookshelf speakers on wall mount stands.

As far as the Axiom offerings, this would include the M22ti with the Full Metal Bracket stand. A pair of these combined with a quality subwoofer would give you great sound and reduce the boundary effect that inwall and onwall speakers suffer. They will also allow you to aim the speakers. I don't think swivelling drivers will yield the same quality you appear to be looking for.

IMO inwall and onwall speakers are for WAF and people who want the best aesthetic appearance where sound comes second. Please note again that inwalls and onwalls can sound very good. I just don't think they can sound as "accurate" as a well placed or well aimed speaker. It comes down to your priority.

Gee, that sounds like a challenge for an M22/W22 shootout!

From my listening to the W3 intalled in the wall powered with the Halos, I would not be to fast in not giving them a consideration for a quality sounding speaker. But thats my opinion, so take it for whats its worth.

How far back from your W3s do you sit? What is the relationship between the height of the speakers as mounted and your ear height?

I think some onwall speakers can sound very good. I know my installation would not lend itself to onwalls or inwalls unless I had an acoustically transparent screen. Just not enough space in my house.

I have not finished the W3 install yet, should be finishing up next week after I return from Axiom this weekend. Here is a pic of the installation:



Top of the W3 is 40" from the floor level, the bed is to the left, and when in bed the speaker is approx 20" above the ears. The head of the bed is about 30" in front of the speakers. Room is approx 15' x 18', with a ceiling hieght at the peak of about 14'.

The W3s fill the room very well, and to my ear, no big differance where one is in the room. Richeydog has heard the bedroom system, perhaps he will post an opinion as well.

Dennis?
Did you know you have a big hole in the floor?

Will post better pics next week when I finish the W3s. But that is not a hole, the bed is on a two tier platform I built and that is one of the 26 drawers for storage built into the platforms. <g>

In reply to:

---

Dennis?
Did you know you have a big hole in the floor?

---

Don't worry Mark, its only there to gain access to Dennis' dungeon.

Seriously though, these speakers really do sound fantastic. I've never listened to any other inwall products before, so can't give a true comparison. But these babies rock! And look good too.