So ,I've been researching speakers and have found a lot of good information which has in some ways made me feel more educated but still unable to decide. Two speaker companies that I am most interested in now are Axiom and Ascend.

I listen mostly to music but since I have a decent Sony 6.1 receiver would like to flesh out the system for movies. I'm going to send my JBL Control Ones to the back L/R surround positions.

So, I initially thought the M60 would be a good option. Full range, etc. Then I came across the Ascend CBM-170 which for the same price can be paired with Hsu STF-2. So, what is going to sound the best for music? I listen to much jazz followed by blues and rock. I want a nice high end without harshness(Control 1's are a little harsh) and something I can listen to for a long time w/o fatigue. Detailed and accurate also come to mind but these may be touch feely meaningless adjectives. On my jazz recodings I'd like to hear the brushes on the snare drum, bright but pleasing rythm on the ride cymbals, and deep, accurate lines from the upright bass. Since I read that many people still decide to go with a sub for the M60 woiuldn't it be better to go with the Acsends with sub for roughly the same price. BTW, room size is around 500 sq feet though future living situations could be larger.

So, I think the decision will depend on the best mains for my music listening and then I'll buy the matching center. I am also intrigued by the Ascend CMT-340 L/R which some rave about. Is this in the same league as the M60 and if so is it also overkill if a subwoofer is in the mix? The CMTs seems to have a more attractive form factor but that's only a minor issue.

And what about the CBM-170 4ohm impedance on an 8ohm spec'd Sony? It has 100W per each channel so I guess unless I crank it I'll be fine. Are the CMT-340 L/Rs 4 or 8ohm?

Thanks so much for the advice. I know I can demo them all at the same time but would like to avoid the hassle and extra shipping cost if possible.

Also, anyone in Dallas or Chicago(travel there for business) that could demo either of these manufacturers?

Thanks again.

The Axiom and Ascend families of speakers have very similar tonal qualities. I think you'd be very happy with either.

I did a A/B comparison between the CBM-170's and the Axiom M22ti's, and slightly preferred the Axiom's for their slightly more detailed highs. (They also have a much nicer finish.)

The 340's are also great sounding speakers, but would still require a sub for the low end.

How far away from the speakers would you be sitting? If you're at least 9' away, I'd go with the M60's. If you're sitting closer than that, I'd strongly consider demo'ing the Ascends paired with a sub, as well as Axiom's M22ti paired with a sub.

If you're sitting close and in a small room the M60's would be overkill, but if you've got the space, I don't think a bookshelf/sub combo can beat them.

I have a loft so if I'm at the couch I'm 7 feet away. If I'm in the kitchen(still directly in front of spkrs) I'll be 15 feet away. If I'm up in the loft I'm 15 feet away and elevated by 10 feet. The ceiling slopes upward from where the speakers would be to say 17 feet up where the loft is. I'd like the primary couch position to sound the best but guess that the rest of this open space could be filled in nicely as well.

So in your primary listening position you'll be only 7' away? If that's the case, I'd give the Ascend 340's and the Axiom M22ti's a try, paired with a Hsu STF-2 or STF-3.

Let us know how your shopping goes...whether you end up with Axioms or not.

7 feet away is on the close side of things IMO.

I would actually steer you toward the CBM-170's on the Ascend side of things. The 4ohm impedance is the nominal figure...the average is 8ohm, your Sony will be fine. My Parents have my reserve 6th and 7th channel (ie extra CBM-170's) hooked up to an old Sony receiver and it does fine.

I sit between 9 and 10 feet from my CMT-340's and sometimes wish I was a little farther back.

May want to check out the Monitor Audio speakers as well, if they're w/in your budget. The Silver 8s are the only speakers that have gotten me close to parting w/ my M60s.

The Ascend HTM-200's look nice. I can not find the CMT-340 anywhere on their site.

snippy,

The CMT-340 l/r is the same as the CMT-340 center channel that is on the website. The l/r version is set in a vertical position, the tweeter is turned 90 degrees, and there is a slight change in the crossover. It will be on their new website in the next month.

The speaker has been available for almost a year, but due do the demands of the center channel, it has not been advertised for inventory control purposes.

I looked too, and couldn't find the 340's. Ain't it nice to have a "man in the know" on the forum? Thanks Curtis.

Rearranged furniture and now listening position is 10' back with main spkrs 5' apart. From the collective wisdom here this is a good distance for full size floor standers...

CraigT:

I have my M50's 4' apart, they're placed on each side of my 55" Mits. I'd like them to be at least 5' apart, but space along my wall is pretty limited. I sit 8' back from the tv. My system is pretty much dedicated for HT, so hopefully it'll work out pretty well. If not, I'll have to rearrange things.


Sutter Cane