Anyone here have Axiom speakers?

[Entity]

I'm debating what I want to go with for my system. Right now I've got a piecemeal Acoustic Research (318PS fronts; 225PS center; 215PS for surrounds) alongside a Denon 3802 AVR (I love this receiver) and a Velodyne CT-120. Eventually I'm going to replace all the speakers for my HT setup; right now, I'm just replacing the center. Am debating between Paradigm, Klipsch, and Axiom mainly. I'll probably end up with two towers, two (or more) surrounds, a center and the sub. Not planning on replacing the sub or the receiver...

Anyway, just looking for personal recommendations. Like I said, I'm going to replace the center channel first, but my center sucks so much right now that I'm not super concerned about timbre matching. I can only afford to shell out a few hundred right now and don't want to spend more than $500 on the towers, $300 on the bookshelves. While I love HT, it just gets too expensive; plus, I'd like to have some money left over for a HDTV down the road.

Advice? Yes, I've read up on what I can at audioreview, avsforums & hometheaterforums. I'm just looking for reviews from people I know here as well.

Rob

 

[DanJ]

I have Axiom

I myself have a pair of Axiom Audio M50Ti's, a VP100 center channel, and two M3Ti's for rears. Flat out, I love them. Exceptional clarity, great range and quite responsive and tight low-end, even from the M3's. Everyone I've auditioned them for has been quite surprised by them, and about 3 days after my brother heard them he was hating his JBL system.

For around the price you're looking to spend, it seems like essentially my system would nearly fit the bill. The M50's sell new for $620 via Axiom direct, while the M3's are at $275 and the center at $220. You could step down to the M40's, which are essentially M3's in a larger cabinet (giving a bit better bass response), but for the extra $130 you're going to get a fuller sounding speaker (with its dual 6.5" woofers); that was my logic at least. I already had a dual 12" Pinnacle subwoofer so I didn't need to purchase one, though if you do I'd recommend SVS over an Axiom sub, better bang for the buck (subs is the one thing Axiom needs to work on imo, at least on price-to-performance).

At the time I was also considering the M22's over the M3's, as everyone seems to be blown away by them as well, but for my purposes the M3's have exceeded my expectations. While not at college I use the M3's hooked to my Onkyo for my computer audio needs, primarily music, and it sounds great.

The reviews are astounding for Axiom; which is basically what I went on sight-unseen and unheard and I have never second-guessed or felt bad about my purchase.

If you have any questions about them let me know

Oh, and on a side-note, the finish on these is very nice (mine are black), and I see they've come out with custom finishes, basically whatever color you want, which is quite cool. Also, their customer service is without compare. While moving into my dorm a couple years ago an M3 fell from about 8 feet, landing on its corner and slightly busting up the top corner of its cabinet (the cabinet held up quite well though all-in-all). I called Axiom to ask them if I could get a replacement or something and Joe, their repair man, said I could just send it in and they'd swap out the cabinet for no cost besides shipping, which was great. Overall I can't recommend Axiom enough, more people have to know about this company.

 

[Entity]

Great post.

The one question I'd have is how well they'd sound with my CT-120, which I love. I'm assuming quite well, but you never know.

Looking at the VP100 + M50ti, but I'm looking for where I can find the best price on that setup right now. $620 + $220 right now from Axiom. I'll likely do the first three, then eventually replace the rears w/M3ti's and probably add another surround (QS4's).

Will post more later. Headed to workout now.

Rob

 

[DanJ]

I'm sure your Velodyne would mix well with the Axiom's. I have a similar sub in the Pinnacle 350 (dual 12") and it sounds great. Just make sure you get something like Avia or the new Sound & Vision DVD and properly calibrate your system, get your sub level to match correctly with your speakers.

As for other places to buy, thats going to be difficult. You might want to check out Axiom's factory outlet portion of their site (http://www.axiomaudio.com/factoryoutlet.html) from what I've heard what Axiom considers visual blemishes can be quite amusing (near perfect speakers). They have M50's there for $558 right now and that page changes quite often.

Anything else?

Axiom Audio for those that don't know: http://www.axiomaudio.com

 

[Entity]

Yeah, I've been looking at their factory direct stuff. Thinking about calling and asking if/when they might have some blems of the M50ti in black; right now they've only got cherry.

Rob

 

[Entity]

Ok, I decided:

M50 fronts
VP150 center
QS8 surrounds

Will be ordering each individually, as they show up in the factory outlet.

Rob

 

[DanJ]

Enjoy the system At the time I didn't think I'd be able to take the VP150 but if I had to do it over again I would have went with it!

Congrats!

 

[Entity]

Good to hear. Now I'm just waiting for their sales reps to contact me.

Rob

 

[EngenZerO]

I have heard they are great speakers for the poice piont. You cant go wrong with em, .

Ozzie