I had such great success with my Axiom HT theater setup I'm considering them for my Computer Room/Den stereo. The room is fairly small @ 12'X11'. I'm setting a budget of no more than $1k. I don't care about AM or FM anymore. There isn't anything worth listening to on radio anyway. So I'm thinking integrated amplifier and CD player. I can get a good deal on an NAD C320BEEE and a NAD C521BEEE for around $550. That leaves me with $450 to spend on speakers and wire. I'm considering a pair of Axiom M3ti mounted on the wall or possibly on a set of stands. My biggest concern is the base extenstion only going down to 60hz. I really don't want a sub woofer in the den. My music preferences are varied. I enjoy everything from Jazz/Classical to Hard Rock and everything in-between. I'll likely hook a line to my XM PNP receiver and another to my computer sound card. I like to listen to internet streams from the BBC and other countries (I'm in the US). So my question is this: Is anyone else that's reading this using the M3ti in the manner that I describe. Is there a better speaker (God forbid) other than Axiom that I should be considering?
Thanks,
Tom
My HT setup.
M22ti Mains
VP-100 Center
QS4 Surrounds
VTF-2 MK-2 HSU Sub.
You lucky dog. I've been wanting to put together a nice 2 channel system for awhile, but my wallet has been being raped by all sorts of other needs.
I've heard nothing but great reviews on the NAD C320BEEE. That paired with a pair of M3ti's would probably be perfect.
The M3ti has pretty much been deemed the "bedroom/den" speaker, as it has a bit "fuller" sound than the M2i, which means in a smaller room, a sub would not be a must.
What are you going to be using for a cd player?
I don't suppose you could save a few $$ somewhere else, get your wire from Home Depot and spring for M40's ($504 US via Factory Outlet). One could argue that you're better off spending money on a bigger enclosure than on stands for the M3.
The M3s are will probably be just fine -- I used M2s and even they were surprisingly good without a sub for everything except kick-ass rock -- but the M40s hit -3dB at 40 hz vs. 60 hz for the M3s if you are concerned about bass extension.
I have not had a chance to hear M3s but based on my experience with M2s I expect they will be great all-round speakers. If you think you will miss the bass the M40s might be an option.
Spiffnme wrote:
"What are you going to be using for a cd player?"
I'll be using the matching C521BEE.
TRG,
I have a pair of M3ti in my computer room with a tube amp and they have plenty of bass. I think you will be happy with them in a small room. These are sweet little speakers if you were using the M22ti then you would appreciate a sub with them.
M3s are a great choice for a 2 channel system. I just saw a 5 watt per channel (in Single End Triode Mode) integrated tube amp, an Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT for $300 on ebay. I used one of these with a pair of M3s and think it was head and shoulders better than the same system with a pair of M22s. JMO.
If I were doing this, I would get a used Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT, a used Sony DVP NS685 DVD player as a CD source (about $150), a run of Mapleshade Clearview Double Golden Helix speaker wires and interconnects, and enjoy the MUSIC. BTW, I'd mount the M3s on stands, get them away from the walls. If you can get the ASL integrated amp for $300, the Sony DVD player for $150, you'll have enough left over for a quick little Velodyne CHT8 subwoofer, a perfect, perfect match for the M3Tis. IMO, if you do anything else, you'll be getting something less.
I second the motion for the CHT 8. I hide mine in a bookcase and it was $180 with shipping.
Hey TRG,
I think you will find the M3 to be "pretty darn good" but try to get 6 feet away from them if you can. I ran them for a while in a spare bedroom from a shelf over the desk, and liked them better when sitting back away from it. I have Michaura M55s (thanks to 2x6spds and kcarlile) in that spot now and like them a little better. Turning on the loudness on the Luxman receiver that drives them makes them OK as long as I don't look for huge bass. If I want serious listening and big bottom, I go to the living room. The M3s are doing stand-alone duty in the family room now and sound surprisingly good for little ones. I don't think you would be unhappy with them.
Oh 2x6spds, you had to go and use the "T" word. I have wanted a tube amp for a long time now. I added a few entries to my Ebay favorites list including the ASL amp you recommended. We shall see if it produces anything in the next few months. I'm not in a big hurry. In the mean time you re-sparked my interest in a tube powered headphone amp. This is another one of my "wants" for years. There are times on the weekend when I get up my regular work time and my family is still asleep. I'd love to slip on my Grado's and enjoy the warm sound and glowing light of a tube headphone amp without disturbing anyone. Does anyone know of a roundup style review that covers several brands of tube headphone amps? I'm thinking about the following amps:
ASL MG Head Mk III
Woo Audio W-1 or W-3
MAD Ear+ (kit version)
Singlepower PPX3
Earmax
I have the technical know how to go the DIY route and actually prefer to go that route. There is something to be said for the "I built that" proud feeling you get when your project is complete.
BTW - Purchasing the headphone amp will not take away from the "Den stereo" budget. I work very hard and deserve both. Now if I can just convince the wife
TRG, If you want to build a Kit why don't you go to bottlehead.com and check out the Singled Endeded Experimenter also known as SEX it is a great tube headphone amp. I have the foreplay preamp and you can't believe the sounds this kit provides.
I'm sorry...anyone who lays their website out in a horizontal manner, and uses pictures like this...
to sell cables isn't getting any of my business.
I believe those are part of the JUG product line after bottle head.
hey, maybe those are very tiny cables wraped around someone's fingers?
hey spiff,never mind the ad,those things arent even shielded
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....... SEX
Yea, I looked at their stuff but it looks unfinished to me. Some of the other tube amp mfg. look much better. You know... can't forget the WAF.
2x6spds,
Are you using the maple shades double golden helix on you tube amp.?
Affirmative koiman!
Mapleshade Clearview Double Golden Helix Plus speaker wires and Maple Audio Ambience Interconnects.
Nope. Those aren't fingers.
See a theme here?
Ditto what spiff said. Who the heck designs horizontal webpages? Talk about annoying.
Using hot chicks is a marketing technique that's been around for a long time. Think about it. What is the male to female ratio of folks that are into building their own amplifiers or otherwise audio tweakers? That's the target audience. If it works for beer companies, Harley Davidson, Snap on Tools etc. it works for tube audio enthusiasts.
What works for me is quality -- regardless of advertising. I don't drink Coors or Bud unless someone hands me a can/bottle.
In reply to:
pmbuko wrote:
What works for me is quality -- regardless of advertising. I don't drink Coors or Bud unless someone hands me a can/bottle.
I agree on both accounts. Bottlehead has a great reputation for quality. Their website could be black and white for all I care. But some people are sucked into marketing tactics. Car dealers are the worst IMO.
I'm a home brewer so I drink my own had crafted beer. There are a few micro-breweries in my area that make a good ale or two. I won't comment on Coors or Bud.
I need to ask a non Axiom speaker question. Hopefully this does not violate any board rules but I don't think it does. A friend told me of a company called Home Theater Direct. They offer very inexpensive speakers that might just accomplish what I'm trying to do with this den system. I'm trying to do this "on the cheap". They have a two bookshelf speaker systems that seem to compete with Axiom. They have a Level 2 for $139 vs. the M2ti for $280. And a Level 3 for $229 vs. M3ti for $300. Has anybody listened to these? If so do you care to comment? How can these speakers be so cheap? Are they junk? What blows me away is the fact that these have real wood veneers too (not vinyl). They "look" pretty good.
Well I guess nobody has heard of them. My friend is going to pick up a set in January. I guess I'll wait to hear his set up. I'm not in a hurry so that's good.
TRG, I would encourage you to buy/audition some Axioms or some other highly regarded internet speaker at the same time. It is conceivable that your friend has found the next company that will join Axiom or Rocket or Ascend as a company that produces great sound at a low price - but it is much more likely that he hasn't. I don't know your financial situation, but for most people it's worth the cost of the return shipping to have peace of mind about the system.
I was only able to find one review of the HTD speakers -- they seemed OK, good value, decent imaging but weak center and "wimpy sub". Good for the price though...
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_1/htd-level3y-1-2002.html
The same mag had reviews of a couple of Axioms but nothing directly comparable.
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/axiom-m60ti-speakers-3-2004.html
On the level IIIs it looks like the finish is "cherry paint", not "cherry veneer", although that might have changed since the review.
You can't really compare just on driver size (eg. comparing prices of level 2 to M2 because they both have 5.5" woofers); you can see 100:1 price range for the same driver size along with a very wide range of performance. At first glance the HTDs look to be less expensive and less good than Axioms but reasonable value.
The other thing to consider for a low budget den system is a GOOD moderately sized sub and 2 good bookshelf speakers playing Dolby Surround instead of 5.1. Maybe Axiom M2s and an EP-175 or HSU STF-2. If I had to choose between a 2.1 system with a good sub and a 5.1 system with a crappy sub I think I would lean to 2.1. Another option to consider if you want something decent but below the Axiom price range is the HSU Ventriloquist system.
Foghorn - Thanks for the advice. I already own an axiom system with M22ti, VP100, QS4 and HSU vtf2. I am thrilled with the combination. I might order the axioms and HTD's at the same time and do a side by side comparison as you suggest.
Bridgman - This is for music only so 2.0 or 2.1 was the plan all along. I was thinking about the M2's as well because they are reviewed as having better midrange and vocal characteristics. I listen to a lot of jazz so this is of interest to me.
I may put the system together without the sub at first and see how it sounds. Then I can save up and get a sub later. A lot of the listening will be near field while working on the computer. I'm not a real bass freak with music anyway. The whole idea of this is to get the best sound without paying a lot of money. But I know that the speakers are a very important part of the mix.
Speaking of subs, does anybody have experience with the DAYTON 10" 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer that partsexpress sells?