Hello,

I'm new to the boards, and to Axiom speakers. It seems they have great customer service, and a great online community here (which is always a good sign). This seemed like a good place to start. :-)
I have a couple questions about the Epic 80 home theater system. To be up-front, I'm a longtime B&W fan, and was about to shell out for a set of their new 700 Series (704 fronts, 705 surrounds, plus matching center and sub). A friend of mine (who is also a B&W fan), had an opportunity to hear a pair of Axioms while on vacation this Christmas, and told me I had to check them out before I plunked down the money for the B&W's. I'm wondering if anybody has compared the new B&W 700's with the Axiom's, and what their thoughts were. I know sound quality is very subjective, but I'm just looking for thoughts or opinions from those who have been here before. The speakers will be used in a system that does about 50% music and 50% home theater. Music quality is probably the most important aspect to me since that is where I do most of my "critical" listening. Which really just means that I'm more picky about the music reproduction than I am about the home theater aspect. For the most part, I find that speakers that are good musically, also tend to make good home theater performers as well. As such, how the M80's compare to the 704's is very important to me.
I also want to make sure it will mate well with my current system. I have a Maratnz SR9200 A/V Reciever (140x7), and I want to make sure it will work ok (for the 4ohm load) and sound good. The Marantz is very warm sounding, so it benefits from a open forward-sounding speaker. I really like this reciever, but I'm having a tough time finding speakers to pair it with. The 700's were my next step at finding a good match for the Marantz after going through B&W 604's (great overall sound for the $, but not very detailed or accurate), and Def Tech 2004TL's (nice soundstage, but needs to be well clear of all walls or the bass sounds really boomy and the highs from the bi-pole tweeters sound very harsh - unfortunately, setting them 3-4 feet out from all walls was just not an option in my livingroom).
It really is hard not being able to audition before you buy, so I'm wondering how you guys might think the Epic system might stack up.

I also must admit that I'm a bit skeptical considering the price, especially when compared to the speaker systems I've tried and the ones I'm considering. Any info or opinions at all would be really beneficial to me.

Thanks for the help!

Sully

your reciever will be able to handle the 4 ohm load of the m80s.

the 704's are relatively new. i dont know how many people have heard them. What i have heard is that they are good speakers, but that they sound similiar to slightly better then the CDM7 series. i think B&W is trying to revitalize their speaker line without besting their 800 series. have you heard the 704s?
also, how big is your room?
finally, check out
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=first&Number=12763&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=
you can find someone who lives near you who might be willing to let your listen to their speakers
the m60s and m80s sound similiar, so look for owners of both

Hawkson -

Thanks for the response. In listening to the new 704, I have found it to be very much like the CDM7. The newer unit has a bit tighter bass, and a bit more "open-ness" in the midrange - mostly, I think, due to the new cabinet design. But the differences are, for the most part, subtle. I would love to hear from anyone familiar with the CDM series (CDM7 or even CDM9), and how it compares to the M80.
My room is on the smaller to medium side at 16 1/2 x 14, but one side has no wall and opens into a large dining area - which sound tends to escape through. The room may be better suited to the M60's, but within the next year we're moving into a new home which will have a much larger Livingroom, or possibly even a just a big Greatroom - so I'm leaning toward the 80's.

Thanks,

Sully

hmm
if your price range is 2200 dollars you may just want to stick the B&Ws. i have not heard the B&Ws, but i have heard they are good speakers. if you were looking to spend 1700 dollars i would reccomend the m80s as your mains. but you are in the 2000-2500 price range, and the axioms might not be your best bet. if you want to save some money buy the m80s and you will be happy. but if you want to get the best speaker possible that you can afford, do your research and spend the 2500 dollars

also, do yourself a favor and check out that thread i gave you. that way you can hear for yourself the differences.

as for the rest of the speaker package i would venture to say the QS8's are probably the better surround speaker. I have many threads and looked at many bios to find that even in a very high end system, the QS8's are still used as the surrounds.

this is all speculative. i have not heard the B&Ws surrounds, but by doing your research online you will eventually have to speculate as to what the better speaker is. i did that and i chose axioms.
in terms of subwoofers, i have heard some bad things about B&W subs. i cant remember what thread it was, but on AVS i read something about there subs being the weak link in their speaker package. as for the axiom subs, i have heard that they capable subs, but the rage nowadays is to get an HSU, SVS, or adire sub. i would look into those before buying any speaker package.

Spiffnme (one of the most prolific posters here) has said that some of the only speakers he's heard that are comparable to the M60s are the B&W 700 series. I've been waiting for him to comment on this thread, but I guess he's just not interested. ;-)

oops..this thread got past my radar.

Yep...I have indeed recently listened to the CDM7's and the new 700 series towers. I was not able to hear them side-by-side with the Axioms, but they certainly didn't stand out as much different. They look a bit nicer, but $2200 nicer?

I'm not alone. Curtis was with me when we heard the CDM7's. We were tagging along while a friend of Curtis's was shopping for new speakers. He liked the CDM7's, but even at a discounted price of $1500, he couldn't say they were worth it. He's was leaning towards either the Axiom M60's or the Ascend 340's. Both sound great, and cost a TON less. Much like any other product, the majority of what you're paying for is the name. B&W puts a lot of time and effort into marketing their name. They're VERY well known. You've got to pay for that recognition. Their new 700 series speakers are very nice sounding, and have a nice finish, but I'd rather have a pair of equally good sounding Axioms, and over a grand left over in my pocket.

Curtis...are we going to do that Ascend 340/Axiom M60 demo for him?

On a side note, does anyone have a pic of the 340s? All I've found on their site is the centers.

Here's Curtis's setup. That's three 340's across the front with custom built stands. Looks sweet Curtis!

Dur. I thought those were M22s when he posted it. Serves me right for not having a good memory! ;-)

are you talking about the center channel?
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/Main/HT/CMT-340c.asp

did curtis get the HSU package deal?

He has a VTF-3, but I don't think he got it as part of a package. I could be wrong. He's put together a really nice set up.

Hey Curtis... What surrounds do you have? And do you know how soon they're gonna have wood finishes on those things?

Pretty sure he's using the ascend 170's as surrounds.

as for the original question, see if there is anything else in the 2500 dollar price range you might be interested. otherwise, come back to the axiom m80.

i suggest the maple finish:)

the beef i have with the look of the ascends is they remind me of speakers i would see at a concert. pracitcal, but unsightly.

The Energy Veritas line is worth giving a listen to. Again, they cost too much, but they're really sweet sounding. I'd buy them over the B&W's myself. Though I'd probably get the M80/M60's with a custom finish over either of them.

Spiffnme (or anybody else who has had a chance to compare), could you comment on your thoughts on the sound of the B&W's (CDM or 700 floorstanders)and the Energy's (Veritas floorstanders)compared to the M80? I know which one sounds better will be a very subjective thing - but I'm looking for your thoughts on the differences.
A system centered around the B&W 700 series or Veritas are within my price range, but how do the Axiom's compare when price is taken out of the equation?

Price and value will definitely matter in the final analysis...but the sound is most important to me.

Thanks for all the responses and info so far!

Sully

I've only heard the M60 and Veritas 2.2 side-by-side in my own home. Having heard them I bought the M60's. The M60's had a larger soundstage, and the detail and clarity were better. The Veritas had a very nice midrange, that did not lack clarity, but had a bit warmer sound to it. Female vocals were richer.

As far as the B&W's go, if memory serves, they have excellent separation and clarity. Without being able to A/B the B&W's it's really hard for me to make a fair comparison to the Veritas or M60's.

Ultimately though, If you go with the Veritas or B&W's, the VAST majority of you extra money is going to marketing, and cabinetry. They're both put together very, very nicely. Axioms certainly aren't ugly by any means, but they don't have the style, and build of the Veritas and B&W's. In the end though, as you pointed out, it's the sound that matters. All three had pros and cons. To my ears (and wallet) the Axioms were the right choice.

Good luck!