I have been looking at buying a completely new HT system, as many of you already know due to some of my previous posts. I really like the Axioms and will more than likely go with either the M60t Epic 500 system or the M80t Epic 500 system. I have been thinking about the 80 more lately due to a lot of unexpected Overtime lately.

Anyway the reason for this thread... I recently had a chance to audition Paradigm Reference 60 speakers with the CC470 center and di polar surrounds at a local high-end shop. I was pretty impressed to say the least. I’m wondering if any of you can give me some comparisons with Paradigm verses the Axioms...

The Reference 100s are supposed to be pretty close to M60s in sound, with a bit more bass and a tiny bit less clarity in the midrange. I haven't heard the Reference line myself recently but one of my friends who was looking for speakers looked first at the Paradigm Monitor line (OK), then Reference 40s (much nicer) and finally ended up buying M22s.

I'm not hearing consistent stories regarding the centers. The 470 uses the same drivers as the rest of the Reference line while the 370 uses the drivers from the Monitor line. Some people seem to really like the Paradigm centers (even a couple of people who went from VP150 to the Paradigm 370 and preferred the Paradigm) while others find the Paradigm centers "muddy" and prefer the Axioms.

I was kind of hoping my friend would buy a Paradigm Reference system so I could A/B with my Axioms but he ended up getting Axioms instead. Oh well

The Axiom models don't line up directly with the Paradigm models (Paradigm has more "midsize" speakers, Axiom has more in the large and small ends of the range) but from what little I have heard of them I would say :

Studio 20 is comparable to the M3 but a bit more bass and a tiny bit less clarity in the midrange (still very nice though).

Paradigm doesn't have anything directly equivalent to the M22 -- fantastic response but not a lot of bass. Paradigm product line is a bit more music oriented, Axiom assumes you will have a sub for most of their smaller speakers so they worry more about flat response above 80 hz than lots of bass.

Axiom doesn't have anything directly equivalent to Studio 40 and 60 (mid-sized speakers with lots of bass) although I imagine the M50 fits somewhere between them. The Studio 60 is a pretty big speaker (bigger than M60) with few drivers, sort of similar to the dear departed M40.

M60 and Studio 100 are supposed to be pretty close; again I expect the Paradigm would have more bass and the Axiom would be a bit more clear in the midrange.

Both are really nice... I think I would be happy with either.

Sorry, one other point... the M60s seem to go a bit DEEPER in the bass, while the Paradigms seem to have a bit MORE bass (slightly boosted in my opinion). The more accurate bass of the Axioms plus much better pricing (Axioms are priced like the Monitor line but perform more like the Reference line) were the two main reasons I went with M60s rather than Paradigms.

Paradigms go through dealer networks so they tend to cost more on average but sometimes you get really good sales. If you could get a great deal on the Paradigm References I would say "go for it", otherwise Axiom seems to be the way to go. Both are great speakers though...

Thanks Bridgeman! I appreciate the comments. Anyone else have some insight please chime in.

ANother question for you guys...my room is 18' x 25' with 9' ceilings. Are the 80's too big for this room? I will be using a NAD T773 to power them.

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ANother question for you guys...my room is 18' x 25' with 9' ceilings. Are the 80's too big for this room?

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No,you have a good size room there and would be well served by the M80s.

Just make sure that you leave enough room to have the M80s well away from the wall (say a foot and a half behind them or more). The difference between M60 and M80 isn't huge in that regard, just that the M80 is a couple of inches deeper so the fronts will be further out in the room.

If you have them too close to the wall, in many rooms you get more bass reinforcement than the average listener wants.

John I have my 80s out away from the wall 11 and a half inches, I've tried 'em everywhere and seem to keep coming back to this location which works out well because the fronts are almost even with the front of my componet rack.

Speaking of the Axiom speakers in general, I'm amazed with what I am always picking up in music. Yesterday afternoon I was listening to SRV's 'Couldn't Stand The Weather' and could actually hear Stevie (I presume) doing a four count with what sounds like the guitar pick on dead strings or maybe his fingernail tapping the front of the guitar during the third long pause at the beginning of the song.

I ended up with mine 12 inches from the wall but toed in slightly.

I don't know your system parameters, but keep in mind M80's are 4 ohm speakers so make sure your receiver can handle it. I would recommend seperates myself.

My friend has a Paradigm system (100's, ADP surrounds, and their big center...CC370 I think?). I also had an Axiom system in my home for a trial (M60's, QS8's, & VP150).

I won't go into much detail. Both are fantastic systems and I found they have some trade offs. For example, I prefer the CC370 over the VP150 yet I prefer the QS8 surrounds over the Paradigm ADP surrounds. To be brief, it really comes down to value.

Considering the price you pay to get into a Paradigm reference system, Axioms are a much better value, IMO. It's basically the scale if diminishing returns. You pay double for a Paradigm reference system but you certainly don't get double the performance......or anywhere near that.

If it were me, I would go with the Axioms and use the money you would have to spend for Paradigm reference and get some new toys.....a projector, DVD player...whatever.

>>CC370 I think?). .<snip>... For example, I prefer the CC370 over the VP150

Can you check what kind of center they have ? There are so many conflicting views about Paradigm vs. Axiom centers that I don't know what to think. Normally people get CC470 (2 way, like a VP100 with bigger woofers) or CC570 (3 way, sort of like a little M60) centers with Reference mains. It would be really interesting to see if it really was a 370 that you preferred...