Are there any previous Polk owners out there that can help with a comparison? I am torn between buying the Polk RTi10, CSi5, FXi3, and Velodyne DLS-R3750 or giving the Axioms a shot. I have listened to the Polks multiple times and love the sound. How would the Axiom Epic 50/350 or the Epic 60/350 compare.

I listened to several sets of Polk RTi and LSi series speakers before buying my Axioms. There is simply no comparison. The Axioms are better by a huge margin! There are many online reviews of Axiom speakers. You can get the links elsewhere from this website.

BUT, you need to listen to both brands and then decide for yourself. I have friends who have owned Polk speakers for almost 20 years and like them very much. I happen to like the sound from my Axioms better. There is some subjectivity involved in this preference! :-)

Well said, Richie. Recommendations are fun and helpful, but nothing is better than simply listening to speakers in person. Find at what works for you.

I have a friend of mine that brought over his Polk mains one night for a comparison test against my Axiom 60's. I'm not familiar with the Polk model lineup, but I think it was the model right below the RTI10's. Anyway, we compared a variety of music/movies and I felt the 60's one hands down.

I've owned a lot of speakers: Optimus, Infinity, AR, ADvent, to name a few. Before I bought my Axioms, I auditioned against NHT, Klipsch, and B&W, and in the end am very happy I settled on Axiom.

In reality, you need to make your own mind up, so if possible see if there is someone in our area on the Audition Thread in the "Hearing Things" forum...

welcome...

I found the audition thread from Amie, thanks! It looks like psychobabble is close by in Naperville, IL. I searched for post from him/her with no results. Looks like they have not been on the forum for quite some time. I sent them a personal message to see if they are still willing to let me in for a listen.

Anyone know psychobabble? Not sure if I should go to psycho’s house .

Years ago, I had a pair of Polk RT25's, and loved them. I used them in a 2 channel stereo system, and although weak in bass, they had a wonderful midrange and the highs were very good. I used them in a home office system as front speakers with a Merak MC6H center (Axiom made) and a pair of Mission DS77 surrounds, Dahlquist PDQ1500 subwoofer, great little system.

The Polk RT25s are not as good as the Axiom M3s or the Michaura M55s, but they don't embarrass themselves in comparison either. I picked up a pair of these Polks for about $60 as an Open Box special at Circuit City. At that price, they are a steal!

I know there is a fellow named Spiroh in Chicago that has a set of M80s. He auditioned my 80s a while back. Maybe Amie can get a hold of him to see if he would be willing to do an audition.

keend0,

I also looked at Polk speakers, RTi8s, RTi10s and also their LSi series. The RTi10s were very muddy, definitely lacked clarity. The RTi8s were definitely the better of the RTi series. That being said I wasn't overly impressed with either of the two.

The LSi series sounded much better. Deep, rich, powerful sound. I was a day or so from buying them when I stumbled across Axioms. The LSis were pricey, around $1600. So I figured I owed myself and wallet a M60 demo.

I ordered M60s, QS4s, and a VP150 center. Since I still have them you can tell I was very pleased. A world better then the RTi series and very comparable to the LSi series at half the price.

I'm still working out sub issues but the Axioms are here to stay. You can see my room layout and size here

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=HT&Number=134891&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=

Also I live on the NW side of Chicago.

If you love Polk sound, chances are you will NOT like Axiom sound. I bought the RTi8 and 10 a few years back and thought the sound was muddy, lacking mid-top end clarity. The bass was good, but thats it. Needless to say, they went back to Circuit City. If you enjoy hearing small details and nuances in movies/music, Axiom is for you.

Hello - I had both the RTI and LSI series, as well and two past POLK sat. set-ups. All were terrific - especially the the latter LSI series 7.1 set-up I had. You won't go wrong wit them, however - after comparing them to my current try-out with Axiom (2 M80s, Center 150, and 4 QS*s (sorry my sub is a definitive Technology ) I can honestly say the Axiom come out the winner. I'm keeping them finding they have a missing element to the Polks. The Polks are extremely smooth and robust - but I found the Axioms a more well rounded and "complete" sounding speaker. Probably the missing element with the Polks is a lack of true mid-range. It's all a personal things but that missing element seems to bring together the musical spectrum. I've also listened to Monitor - another fine speaker, although I was completly dissapointed by their bipole surrounds. The LSI bipole/dipoles are also very good but I was completly amazed by the performance of the Axiom surrounds. So much as been said about they being "airy" and haing a wide dispersion, but they can be extremely directed when they have to be. I don't understand how this design does it but it is a true marvel.
Prior to purchasing the Axioms I also listened to an extremly expensive speaker called Audes and I have to say the Axioms surrounds at half the price perfomed just as good. I don't think you'd be disapointed with them, try them and you too will find that "missing link" in your music and movies.