Hey guys. I am considering Axiom Audio speakers for my new HT. I think I would go with M60s. Also in the running are Aperion 633-t and AV123 x-statiks. I have heard really good things about these speakers and I think I will like the sound. However, what does give me pause is the vinyl finish. The aperion speakers offer a real wood, piano gloss for the same price as M60s w vinyl, and the x-statiks offer real wood rosewood veneer for the same as well.

Of course, sound quality is paramount, but that doesnt mean that I want my new speakers to look cheaper than they are. I know there is a sale going on right now, but I won;t have my act together in 10 days so its a pretty moot point.

I guess what I am looking for is any advice or pictures regarding this vinyl finish and how it would compare to these real wood finishes. Thanks in advance!!

Reed

You can get actual wood at the Axiom custom shop, but here is a link I just posted about getting my M3's in High gloss cherry vinyl and a pic next to my Boston Cherry vinyl.

The HGC is really a great look and I wish I had all of my speakers in that finish, but the Bostons are fine.

Get what sounds the best to you and if Axioms are in the running you can always get a custom finish or look at the vasillos.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=198277#Post198277

You can get real wood piano gloss finish from axiom but its going to cost yah

I think the standard black vinyl looks good IMO

The vinyl finish is top notch. Many that have seen my Axioms think it is the real deal until I tell them it is vinyl.

Check out the Hearing Things forum and the sticky at the top is an audition list, send a PM to anyone nearby and if there isn't some listed then post where you are and send Amie a PM about wanting an audition, maybe she can find someone for you. This way you can see what they look and sound like.

Pick your speaker based on which one sounds best to you. The Axiom vinyl finish looks very good.

Many speaker manufactures use vinyl wrap over mdf. I can assure you that Axiom uses the best vinyl wrap in the industry. In fact, you will be hard pressed to tell it is vinyl.

For me, it was more about sound reproduction. If your dead set on having a wood exterior, you can pay extra for Axiom's wood shop. I would not assume that just because those other brands are the same price as the m60's, that they will sound the same. Axiom has always been known for giving the best bang for the buck in the industry.

If you have a local B&W dealer in your town, go listen to the B&W 703's or above. They are 2-3 times the price as the Axioms, however, that will give you an idea what the m60's would sound like. Or, check our audition threads.

Don't be concerned. As other have said this is the best vinyl finish out there. I was very, very impressed when I opened those boxes. I recently bought an Epic 60/500. Many people are amazed when I tell them it is vinyl. The look and the feel of it is very authentic.

Before I received my Axiom's I too was concerned about the vinyl finish as it was about the only criticism I found regarding these speakers. But once I opened the shipping boxes, I was relieved to find the finish top-notch. They look and sound great. Only close inspection would reveal that they aren't real wood, and if people are looking that closely at your Axiom's, turn them on to demonstrate the true potential of these speakers.

My first 7.1 setup was mansfield beech which was awesome, however, it really didn't go great with our trim woodwork in our house. I currently have the custom vinyl Ebony Pica, which is great for HT and has no reflection from the projector, just disappears.

Not knowing what your delay is, you may want to call Axiom now to see about pre-ordering the High Gloss Cherry and putting a deposit down. They have different payment options such as monthly payments and once they system is paid for they will ship it.

Regardless, the vinyl finish is really nice. I used to have Boston Cherry and it was excellent and much nicer than the other speaker options I was looking at. If you do go for a High Gloss speaker you will have lots of finger marks, smudges and dust becomes much more noticeable. To me it's worth it though.