Any guesses as to what the wood veneers will cost?

I want to order an Epic 80/500 system NOW in black, but am concerned about the quality of the vinyl finish.

Any rumors on the cost of the veneers? Take the $1200 EP500, what do you think it will cost in a veneer?

Probably wouldn't hurt to call or PM Axiom directly for pricing. There were a few rumours discussed but I don't think we really know.

For what it's worth, other than "knowing it's vinyl" (which always hurts

) the quality of the finish is extremely high and it's not hard to convince someone that it is real wood veneer if they don't actually run their nails along the surface or look REALLY closely.

If you look from a couple of inches away it's clear that the grain is too regular for wood, and that there are none of the tiny defects you see in a real veneer finish, but otherwise the vinyl is better than you might expect.

talked to JC, he said nothing definitive. I've got an itchy trigger finger here. If they are like 25% more I wouldn't get em.

I'm not so much concerned with looks as I am with longevity.

In reply to:
talked to JC

Wow! I had no idea Axiom employed Jesus Christ! No wonder they're such a great company.

Considering the Gloss (piano finish) black/white options come with a 42% premium, you may be a little low with your 25% limit.

If it’s any consolation to you, the vinyl is very well done. Does it look like real wood?? Hell no it doesn’t! It’s vinyl for Christ’s sake!! If someone can’t tell the difference between a picture of wood, and real wood, they need to get out of the city more.

I have the black oak. Doesn't look bad. I hope to one day have a dedicated HT room which I want the speakers to virtually disappear when the lights go down. That is why I went for the black personally.

Don't be silly, Peter; Chris meant that he asked during Mass.

Hi evilchris,

The $1200 EP500? In real wood veneer? it will be ABOUT $1400, a 17% increase. Note the "about". We are still finalizing prices. This is NOT the final word; just a hint. Other models will be more, and the premium on average will be about 30%.

By the way, you can order free samples of the vinyl finish, with grille cloth attached. Just call the toll-free number. See for yourself how good it looks.

Regards,

>>If someone can’t tell the difference between a picture of wood, and real wood, they need to get out of the city more.

Agreed. I should qualify my statement to include "you can convince city folk that it is real wood unless..."

Sorry……….didn‘t mean to come across as a dick.

I can tell it’s fake clear across the room. But I’m also a woodworker, so it’s hard to fool me. Vinyl and laminates are nothing more than a big friggin picture cut into little pieces and laid over the product to make sheets. So, you get the same pattern over and over again.

I will clarify that Axiom does a very good job with their vinyl though. But one shouldn’t get their hopes up. It’s not real.

I’d go with one of the custom colors myself if I were to do it over again and didn’t want to pop for the custom wood veneer. Some of the custom colors look pretty cool.

Although i agree at close range mdrew, at anything more than a couple of feet back, many people who've come over to view our speakers did not know.
It may depend somewhat on lighting and the finish as well. I imagine the black oak would be harder to determine at a distance.

What i find really gives it away are the sharper edges. Some of the nicer wood finishes on pricier brands tend to have ever so slightly rounded or smoothed edges, perhaps to take away the possibility that one might try shaving with their speaker.

Shaving, what is shaving? Oh yeah, my memory is jogged. I believe that was an ancient flesh ripping torture practiced by the Macedonians on their enemies via the use of Schick razors. That happened to me once. Darn those treacherous Macedonians.

In my home they stand out like a sore thumb. If they weren't stitting on real wood flooring, it wouldn't be as aparent.

Mike, I'm a city boy and I've never seen a real tree. Do you mean that a Boston Cherry tree doesn't look just like my M22s?

Did you just make a joke John? I didn't think engineers could do that.

If you're serious, it might look more realistic if you put a house plant on top of it.

You guys are too funny:)

That was a reason I picked black. At least there is no doubt it's NOT natural. And it looks great too.

I'm confused here. the "custom veneers" are they real wood veneer panels? or vinyl pics like the um..... regular Axioms are? If they indeed are vinyls, why on earth do they cost more money? there is not a single bit MORE work involved, between application of one vinyl picture "veneer" and another. afterall more money is not charged for the 4 "regualr" vinyls that have been avail. that would be a flat out wrong to charge more money for simply a different "picture" of wood. If these customs are indeed real veneers of diff types of wood ... well the cost increase in my view is justified , just not diff. vinyl. ok, shoot me now

The latest Axiom newsletter gives some insight as to the process. If you're wondering about the price, check the custom page. It looks like the VS versions of the speakers have been added.

The finishes currently available at Custom Shop are NOT the wood finishes. Dennis and I have been arguing as to whether or not they are vinyl (I thought they are; Dennis thinks they're something else; neither of us think they are wood). Regardless you'll have to ask Axiom why they cost more. my guess is it's because those particular finishes cost THEM more, but I could be wrong.

Economies of scale, my friends... If I order (for example) a pair of Vermont Maple M50s, they have to get out the Vermont Maple vinyl which I'm sure they purchase in lower quantities than the Boston Cherry, therefore losing volume discount, and pay individual attention to my speakers.

BTW, it's the same stuff on the custom finish and normal finish; I've compared mine to Peter's Boston Cherry M22s and my Manswood Beech QS4s.

And if you think wood is going to cost just $90/pair, you're smoking something. Did you see how much work goes into those things? It probably costs Axiom more than $90 just to do the staining!

But you can choose the Vassallo Series speaker, add it to your cart, and get a general idea of the cost for wood veneer.

I can't find that bit. Can you link to it?

In the Custom Shop under Step 3--Choose your Product--the Vassallo Series is listed there. Add it to your cart (at this point there is no wood finish, just choose one of the custom veneers) and voila!

So, um, that loyal customer/prolific poster trade up discount?

That should take care of everyone who thinks the Axioms can't play in the big leagues because they cost so little... Not that I'm complaining; I understand why they cost that much!

Yup, just under 2 grand for custom wood veneered M80s. I don't know how others will think, but I think it's a fair price. Now, I haven't heard the M80s, but to be able to choose a finish and have your name on the back of your speakers is pretty special. Yes, the M80s will have more competition at that price point, but you have the ability to match your decor. I think I read in the newsletter that you can send Axiom a sample and they will try to match the color.

I think the prices are quite reasonable, with all the extras thrown in. I just wish I could afford them...

Me too.

Mike, of course I was just kidding(you need to research the joke thread!); I've traveled in about 40 countries and saw a lot of stuff, even including some real trees(no Boston Cherries though). I enjoyed your earlier comment urging city-slickers to get out and see some real wood and wanted to give you an opening to take another shot.

I agree that's a very reasonable price for someone that is looking for custom finishes. Imho I think the vinyl in black looks great, for that matter I really don't care about the finish because they sound so good

There’s something wrong with those prices. I’d wait till Axiom gets the web sight completely updated before making any decisions. For example, you can have a Black Gloss, VS series, and you can also have a VS series. Two separate prices. Something is wrong.

I was planning to buy a second 600 in gloss black. Not so sure now. $2500 is pretty hard to swallow for a two channel system sub woofer.

A set of Rosewood M80’s in a piano finish though………I think they’ll look mighty fine. And sound might fine too.

For the amount of work involved with the custom finishes I think they are reasonably priced. I'm with Homedad, I care more about the sound than the finish. My vinyl clad speaker will do me just fine

.

>>> I've traveled in about 40 countries and saw a lot of stuff, even including some real trees(no Boston Cherries though). <<<

Jeez, no wonder you are constantly advocating bookshelf speakers and low powered receivers John ... I imagine it's tough to pack up a set of high powered separates and towers for those worldwide trips you are making.

It's in good humor John!

Yeah Rick, that was the main reason I didn't go with M80s all around! But seriously, I did take a shortwave/am/fm portable with me on trips so that I could enjoy music occasionally.

Even though no one will mistake the vinyl for real wood, most agree (including the professional reviews) that the fit and finish of the vinyl is top notch. Even the majority of us that bought "B" stock speakers from the Outlet, can't find any flaws.

After talking with Joe this evening, he told me that they wanted the finish on the real veneers to be on par, or better than the others out there. To ensure this, they brought in some high-end furniture guys to tweak their finishing process.

So regardless of what the final price is, I'm sure they will continue to be an extrordinary value for what you are getting.

I received an e-mail from the webmaster at Axiom stating that the pricing issues and issues around adding the wood custom shop have been resolved.

Thanks