In reply to:
Think I also mentioned to you that the M80 are tested at Axiom for 100 hours at 1,000 watts, this info also came from Axiom members.
Actually Tharkun i was the one who posted this information after my tour of the Axiom Factory. I got to see the M80s being pushed by 700W of Bryston power. There is a picture of it but sadly no video.
As for the other comments, play all the loudness you want. It is your equipment, but akin to the many car analogies, who here runs their little Honda at 80mph but only in 1st gear?
Pushing any speaker (or mechanical unit) has limits. When it comes to speakers and power, too little is far worse than too much but if anyone here has heard a speaker hit its excursion point, the dull flapping noise does not make anything sound at all pleasurable.
Even still, just because you can plug a speaker into 1000W of power doesn't mean that cranking it up until the cones bottom out won't cause damage. Axiom tests them absolutely, but to assume no breakage will ever occur is foolish.
I've seen reports on the forums that Axiom speakers play anywhere from 95dB maxed out to near 120dB. The sheer power alone required to hit those levels given the relative efficiencies of the M80s is HUGE. I begin to doubt some of these anecdotal reports for obvious reasons.
Stating general opinions like "Axioms will handle 1000W of power, no worries, go nuts" is not good advice, and for any newbie that reads this thread, they should think about that carefully!
107dB at what? 100 feet?
But the speakers weren't breaking apart?
Speaker companies are not obligated to honour warranties in situations where they feel excessive abuse has occurred. I'm not saying anyone here has been abusive although it appears some have taken it that way. The reported sound levels (distance information missing) make one wonder what ppl are doing that they need volumes that loud and further reporting they need a driver fixed after playing such loud levels again makes one wonder if the driver would have been fine had it not been subjected to 'near red line' levels.
I have a 400w amp that might be loaned to me in the next couple of weeks. If that happens, i will report on whether my M60s hit an excursion point or whether the amp runs out of juice first. I've seen speakers hit their physical limits at alot less. I will also record the SPL and distances measured.
Simply reporting i might do such a thing openly on these forums will certainly invalidate my warranty if i'm to call Axiom for a driver repair afterward and Axiom has the right to do so.
