Wow! Thanks for the input! Please keep the comments coming! Axiom seems the way to go!

I noticed the M80 (7.4) system! Why would you need four of those subs? What kind of application would they be used in?

Demolition, I would think.

Thats what I'm thinking!! Curious, has anyone in here heard just one EP600 V2? How is it?

I spent a long time demoing B&W, NHT, and a few others about a year ago. Like you, I like the 703's but when I saw the price tag, thinking that was for a pair, I was sadly notified that was per speaker. Then I found Axiom, based on all the reviews/advertising I found on other websites. Took the plunge and never looked back. I would say the m60s' are very similar to the 703's, maybe even a little better. You might want to check the Audition Thread in the "Hearing Things" forum to see if anybody is in your area willing to let you listen. The v2's won't sound largely different than the previous m60's, however, they did make some minor changes to the crossover points.

Dude, save your money and go with the Axioms. I have a pair of 703's that I got a few years back. They now sit in a box in storage because one of them is on it's 2nd mid range. After the first one cost me several hundred bucks to replace, and B&W swearing it must be my amp / listening style etc...I decided to try something different. BTW, I love B&W's. Incredible sound. And some day I will own a pair of 800 D's...but in the mean time reality says my M80v2's are 95-97% of what those 800's are. And every bit as good as the 703's. Maybe better. And there's the specs too. The 703's are only rated for 200 watts. (Maybe that's why I've blown two midranges? Don't think so.) I've been running a pair of M&K' S150's off that same amp, at the same volume for years with no problems. I still think it's a B&W driver problem.

As for the EP600. Great sub. I'm comparing it to an M&K MX-350, also a great sub that I still use it in a different room. If anything the M&K sub is a bit more "in your face" , "tighter" and "quicker". But that being said there's not a hell of a lot of difference. Both go WAY down and rattle the house. You find all kinds of loose things in a newly constructed house playing with either one of these subs. And the EP600 seems to blend perfectly with the M80's.

Try the Axioms, yes the B&W's are great too but more money doesn't always mean better. Besides, will B&W let you try them in you house for 30 days?

Mike,

I've told this story before, but I don't think it would hurt to repeat it. I also listened to B&W speakers over at the local stereo store while I was hunting for speakers. This B&M sold two brands, B&W and PSB. I listened many times and came to the conclusion that I had to have a pair of B&W 602S3 speakers and they would be the cat's meow, until I got them home. There was either something wrong with this particular set of speaks or my Yamaha receiver just didn't have the oomph to drive them. I was so disappointed I returned them the same day, visited the Axiom board for the umpteenth time and finally ordered a pair of M22s with fingers crossed. When I received them a few days later, they looked so small. The GF told me that I had a severely disappointed look on my face. But, when I hooked them up and had a listen, I was astounded by the sound that was coming out of these little boxes. Judging from that, I would have to say that the M60s or M80s would knock your socks off and you wouldn't even have to take off your shoes. Thank you, Spiff.

I've only listened to a pair of 603's and I can definitely say my M3's blow those away.

Hey all,

When it comes to serious audio, I am not equipped with much technical knowledge, however, I possess a very critical ear. I have spent a lot of time in studio recording accapella, choral, and orchestral music. When one finishes recording a particular track in accapella you must listen very intensely to pick up on breaths, enunciation, and drops in pitch. With that being said, after auditioning B&W speakers I felt that the 703 was not worth the price for its midrange reproduction. As I mentioned in my review of Spiffnme's system, I listen for reproduction of the "inner" parts of music, clarinets, viola's, alto...etc Granted when I listened to the B&W it was in a audio store with a lot of other speakers and general "stuff" in the room which could have contributed to a very muffled and dark reproduction of mids. I have yet to hear an M80, but according to the M60's I heard at spiffnme's I would choose the Axiom over the 703 ANY day....

As for the 800's....well that is a beautiful speaker and it thoroughly satisfies my critical ear, however, my wallet automatically locks itself when i try and pull out the credit card!!!

jason

Jason, having a wallet like yours is a key on the road to financial success!