Hello

My name is Jim and this is my first time posting on the Axiom Forum. I have been thinking about purchasing some computer speakers. The one's that Axiom have look really nice. Is there any one out there who has purchased them, that could give me some advice as to how much they are enjoying there's. There does not seem to be very many reviews at all on them other than the Axiom website. They are a little bit on the high side as far as the prices on them. I would appreciate any one's observations of them. Thank You In Advance!

Jim

I have the ones below in burled walnut with a cheap Sony sub for my office and I absolutely love their appearance and sound. Clean, nice imaging, wide and spacious soundstage. The advantage of going with M1 vs. M2 or M3 is that the M1 has reduced bass response and hence is easier to place. This is an advantage because it gives you a greater chance to be bass boom-free.

https://www.axiomaudio.com/bst-46

Axiom prices tend to be higher than other brands, but what you're getting is neutrality. You can be confident that they didn't intentionally insert a lifted top end, mid-bass warmth, or exaggerated midrange. Those effects are pleasing and sells speakers on the showroom floor, but are fatiguing colorations.

I have the M5HP, and in comparison with my Kanto Yumi and Angstrom Omega II 200, I consider it to be the most neutral of three very good loudspeakers. I haven't heard the other Axiom bookshelves, but I'm confident you won't be second guessing your decision. I'd factor in the cost of a compact subwoofer in whatever you choose to get.

I can vouch for the M3. It’s no slouch at all. It’s quite spectacular. I’m very impressed with their performance so far in my master bedroom playing from a modest receiver. I also have a pair of m60ti in a larger space and really like those too.

Having listened to M3 now for a few sessions I’m already scheming how to incorporate a pair of m2 into my office space and a pair of m3/m5 on walls in my garage.

Short version: I love the clarity of axiom speakers and detailed sound. I’ll bet a pair of m1 or m2 powered computer speakers with a small sub ( if desired ) would be very good.

I do see a few posts on here from people who have had issues with their computer speakers. In fact there seems to be more negative reviews than positive ones, as far as the computer speakers are concerned. There are a few more things that can go wrong with a computer speaker, as opposed to just a regular passive speaker.

jrhooper1, there are some things to watch out for with powered loudspeakers.

Edifier doesn't have subwoofer out on most of their speakers. Sonos do not have Bluetooth, and only their sound bars offer optical input. Kanto, PSB, and Paradigm tends to lift their treble (though you can fix that with basic tone controls). Audio Engine applies limiting and compression artifacts at high volumes. Nothing from Klipsch or B&W is neutral and is tuned for seniors with hearing loss, by seniors with hearing loss. Most of these models don't offer USB inputs, though some offer TOSLINK/RCA/3.5mm/phono/Apple AirPlay.

My Kanto Yumi has worked fine for the last 7 years, but it's probably too big to use on most desktops.

All very good points Hambrabi. I guess you have to make sure the computer speaker / powered speaker you are purchasing has the connections and features needed for your intended application. My comments above are purely about the sound quality and neutrality of the passives.

There are of course tons of desktop amps and dacs that could do the job versus a powered speaker too. Depends on space on the table top and prices vs features too. Lots to consider.

I purchased a pair of M2 powered speakers for a family member and he used them for 6 years or so. He upgraded his computer setup to a TV monitor with full Axiom surround package and gave them back to me. They have a self protect, so if abused you need to power cycle them to reset the amp.

6 years later I regifted them to my nephew at Christmas for his bedroom. The boys have a dance party everyday now and I think he will always have good speakers. Upgraded from Songe Bob radio. Can you spot the budding audiophile? Surviving fine with kid abuse. A-ok. Loves them and music!

[quote=TrevorM]They have a self protect, so if abused you need to power cycle them to reset the amp.[quote]

Interesting. I have the M1 Audiobytes from 2008. Their linear power supply amp has self-resetting protection similar to the ADA amp design.

At the risk of being a thread crapper, I've never seen the point of going with powered speakers versus getting the equivalent non-powered and a small desktop amp. Well, I can see a few points, it's mildly easier to set-up, the M1 is a smaller footprint, and as Trevor alluded to, in the case of small kids - less to handle. On the flip side, speakers last for 20-30+ years and electronics far less. So all things considered I'd rather be able to swap out an inexpensive amp as opposed to trying to fix a bad powered speaker.

Hobby vs. a tool with a job to do. Horses for courses.

Powered Sudio Monitors. Tons of em sold. Simple. Ubiquitous. Reliable. Same idea.

And you get a good headphone amp too if you purchase the right one, which is nice to have on a desktop setup.

Crapping on threads entertains me greatly. Others derive much pleasure from this activity too.

Any small, desktop amps with a sub out?

Have you compared the M3v4 with your M60ti?

i have the M3 computer speakers and they sound fine for the speaker they are. As some have put they are a bit more bright, but are you using them for critical listening to music, or as a more general computer speaker?

I have some serious faults with the Computer Speakers. They put the controls on the back of the speaker. This might be fine for someone who doesn't want to set or change the volume, or is happy with how the computer does volume control for you. But for me with a Mac, the speakers are seen as a DAC and thus don't have any volume control as its assumed by Apple that a DAC doesn't need it. Keep that in mind.

I use them more like Trevor, in they are easy to pull out and put outside when I have some friends over and want to listen to music and have it sound good. (I find a bluetooth portable speaker just doesn't cut it)

I moved for my computer to getting an external USB headphone dac that has it's own volume control. I have a number of no longer used receivers and just bought a set of regular speakers to plug in. As needs changed, or more space and 'WAF' came into play, I have used everything from a small 50watt amp to a 250watt class A-B with Bi-Amp connections that sounded quite sweet but was a source of many arguments... 'turn that racket down...' I have a pair of M3 and M5HP speakers. Sure the M5 do sound better for critical listening, but the M3 speakers give me just as much enjoyment. I will bet the M2 speakers would as well. I just never got them so I don't have any point of reference to say.

I think that you really need to say what you are looking to get out of the setup. What are the limitations or requirements that you are trying to meet? No sense in overkill, but don't sell yourself short or limit yourself for future needs.

Can't argue with that. And that would explain my preference.

I too a quick look and not as many as I would have expected. When I got am M3 system for my son I went with the Audioengine N22, which does not have a sub out. I saw a reasonably priced LOXJIE A30, which does. Although the sub out is not absolutely required as many subs accept the stereo input and split the LFE out on their own. And for a desktop amp that would be okay with me as I probably wouldn't want to be tweaking crossovers.

Hey Mojo, I’ll comment more over on my other thread so I don’t hijack this one. But I will say this, I now know / think the Axiom Mid woofer is something I will always have, somewhere in some way shape or form in my setups. It’s excellent, the Ti version is all I know but it’s great.

Relating that comment to this thread, computer speakers, I’d pick m3 as a 2.0 music based system or the m2 as a 2.1 or 2.2 system if it was more about dialogue or movies or audio video calls but still wanted some bass for occasional listening sessions. M3 has plenty of bass on its own in a smaller space but if you know and like the axiom mid woofer you just miss it. Or not….Pick either one based on your needs and application. In my house with my options I’d pick passive m2 with desktop mini amp with a quality DAc and headphone out too.

Tyler.

Yup. Now you understand.

P.S. The M2 may offer adequate bass depending on the room. They may even offer better bass that the M3 because their bass is more linear.

I concur with this part of Slava's post.........

I find it very aggravating that the controls are on the rear of the speaker.

Hes not really Slava, OK? That's mattmanhasgonewhoupgradedlfrstoactiveandcamebacktocomplainaboutcomputerspeakers, OK?

I'm totally frustrated with rear controls on gear. I totally get it though because costs are driven up to have front controls, the physical size has to go up and the fronts are not as clean.

thanks

mojowhoisjustaselfopinionateddimwitwhothinksheisjustgodsgifttotheearthbutcannotfathomthateverythinghesaysdoesnotmeanitisfactandgetsratherobnoxiouswhenanyonepointsouthowmuchofafoolhereallyis

What part of "mattmanhasgonewhoupgradedlfrstoactiveandcamebacktocomplainaboutcomputerspeakers" is not factual?

likewise. just saying it as i see it as a PSA for the axiom community.