Had a listen to several outlet 5.1 speaker setups today and clearly liked the sound of B&W DM603 and/or the B&W DM604 floor standing models with a LCR600 center and their sub. The sound was clear and distinct. Very nice. I found I could really enjoy listening to speakers in this range of quality.
I have not heard the Axium 60's or 80's with the VP150 and QS8's and EP350 yet though. I sure hope they compare somewhat. They price is about the same.
Anyone heard both and can offer a comparison?
Thanks,
"winterpeg"

Indeed i have winterp.
See the PM.

I tried a pair of 600 series bookshelves in my home before I ordered my Axioms. I'll just say this much, they sounded good in the store. There are audiophiles who frequent this board who will try to turn you away from the 600 series. Thankfully, they did this for me. You have to audition an Axiom set up before you make a decision. I don't think you will regret it.

A few people have compared M60s with DM6xx/7xx on the board but I haven't found their posts yet. The general feeling seemed to be that the M60s sounded better than the 603/604 but sounded somewhat similar to the 703s. Some people preferred the 703s, others preferred the M60s.

If you get a chance to listen to the larger Monitor Audio Silvers that might be another good comparison -- some people prefer the Silvers while others prefer the Axioms. Don't think I have heard anyone prefer MA Bronze to Axiom though.

If I find the posts I'll reply back with links...

Winterpeg,
I listened to the same B&Ws and I like the M60s Better.
(TO MY EARS). YMMV!
I think that the 60s are very, very close to the 703s sound wise, and I was able to buy my entire set-up for less than a pair of the 703s.
I was very depressed after hearing the 703s because I loved them, but I knew that I could not afford them at this time. Then I stumbled on a post at Audioholics.com comparing those 703s to the M60s, and as they say, the rest is history.

I was never depressed listening to the B & W 703's because I knew that spending $4,500.00 Cdn plus taxes wasn't going to happen! After purchasing my M60's I have future money left over to complete my home theatre. I suppose that if I had money to burn, the 703's might be sitting in my living room.

Winterpeg,

the only speakers BW make that compare to the Axiom setup you are considering would cost you over 10K. The 700 series is very, very similar, but way more expensive.

Go with Axioms. You'll also be supporting a Canadian company, too. And their customer support is next to none.

I've probably said this a dozen times or so now, because it keeps coming up.......but anyway, I found the 703's sounded more alike to the M80's I ended up buying than the 600 series. The M80's have more base, tighter mids and pretty close to the same highs. The speaker I think sounds VERY close to the M80's are the Paradigm Reference Studio100's. The 80's are just slightly more detailed, with a tighter mid range. Base is damn near identical. I much preferred the Paradigms over the 703's and was going to buy them. The Paradigms were $2800 US, so I took up Axiom on their free trial offer, liked them as much as the Paradigms, kept them and haven't regretted it yet.

I also believe the M60's are above the 603's in sound reproduction, and a tie or slightly better than 703's. If you look at cost, it is an easy choice, unless you just want the looks of the B&W's. I have no reason to be biased, as my brother in-law has been a long time B&W man, and currently has 703's in his recording studio. I recently took my M60's there for some comparison tests. My brother in-law and some of his band members kept asking me, "And what did you say you payed for those Axiom's"

I auditioned several B&W setups and was impressed. I wasn't so happy with the price of the 703's. I agree with several of the others members. To me the Axioms sounded better than the 6XX and similar to the 703's.

At first, the Axiom reviews got me interested. Now after one year of owning them, the Axiom sound has me loving them (and I have a few grand left in my pocket!!)

I like the 703s better than the M60s. Didn't like them enough to get them over the less expensive M60s however.