Which Axiom model will sound best with pop recording? I currently have the M22 and the ep350 and it don't sound too good. I have to turn the treble half way down because it was so bright. Will the M40 fit the bill?

Newer pop recordings have been notoriously badly recorded. They've been pushing the levels and causing clipping in efforts to try and make their cd sound "bigger". You'll need something to try and subdue that. I'm not sure what will work. It's probably just really poorly recorded stuff you're listening to.

Any suggestions guys?

What sort of room are your M22ti speakers in? I've got a roughly 12x12 room with hardwood floors. There's an area rug on the floor and I've got "overstuffed" couches. The speakers don't sound that bright to me, so I suspect the overall sound has a lot to do with room interactions.

Remember also that many of these new pop "artists" lack talent. They are selected by their record companies based on their marketability. What kind of speakers are going to make Brittany Spears sound good? I don't want 'em.

No need to disrespect his taste in music.

Yes, the room will have a big effect on the sound as well.

What do you have the cross-over set at for the sub? With my M22's I found it sounds best between 60-80.

Well... I can say that I have a pair of M40's, dictated mainly by price concerns. I really, really like them and they never sound fatiguing (a big point for me). I listen some well recorded stuff, but I also listed to a lot of poorly recorded material. I listen to a lot of older punk, rockabilly, etc. Even so, sometimes the M40's still reveal some really poor sound that I never heard with other speakers - like a certain bootleg Clash live record I have, or the Buzzcocks live. I honestly say that I don't think I would be able to listen to it at all if I had a pair of M22 or M60's. I think the "highest" up I will realistically go with Axiom is the M50. I just can't stand the sound of something that is too bright (yet I listen to music that tends to sound that way... go figure).

Since you have a sub... if you prefer a more laid-back sound - I would go with M3's - they won't break your pocketbook, and if you like 'em, you can always sell the M22's - if not, then just return 'em. Shipping on those little guys can't be too much.

Well... I hope I was able to help...

Absolutely right. No disrespect intended. Didn't mean that to sound like a critique of his taste in music, but more as a critique of our pop culture. Sorry.

pmbuko,

I have a 12X10 carpeted room. The m22 is six feet from the listening position. My crossover on the sub is at 80hz. I am using harman kardon avr320 receiver. The pop recording that I listened to is actually from the 80s and 90s. And I also have the resistor on the m22.

Often these mainstream music recordings (radio songs, top 40, etc.) are not "poorly" recorded per se.
The quality of these recordings can actually be considered quite phenomenal, however the sound editors typically enhance certain frequencies in the music before it becomes stamped onto 10 million copies of Brittany Spears Best of editions. This is done so that the most common listeners that playback the music on relatively 'poor' quality systems (boomboxes, standard car stereos) will hear a perceived better overall effect. Those enhanced frequencies tend to correspond to high treble and heavy bass which is why alot of pop music can kill your ears with the bright style of Axiom speakers. (One of the loudest i've heard to date is a song called Summertime by the Sundays.) This practice is more intentional as opposed to incompetence in studio recordings.

duong,
If you are looking for a less bright sound, the M3s, M40 and M50 line should be better for your tastes but if you are not sure it will be enough, then trial the 30d with the M3s first.
Otherwise you should possibly consider an even more laid back, alternate brand of speaker.
General opinions have reported these new fangled Rockets speakers have a very 'dulled' upper end but are quite decent for their price.

Thanks Chesseroo,

I was thinking about selling the m22 and getting the m40 but now after reading your response, I might have to try a different brand.