gcouture

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I finally received my new Axiom M80 v2 speakers after a long wait (I lost my job following my employer's bankruptcy, and had to postpone any major upgrades to my system) The good news is that Axiom speakers are now available in a wide variety of natural wood veneers. The 4-choices-only vinyl finishes which were one of the major criticisms I heard no longer applies. One needs to pay a premium though, but overall, they remain quite a bargain in my opinion.

I heard and read many horror stories about the boxes being damaged by DHL or UPS, so I was a little nervous when Purolator finally devered not 2 but 3 boxes to my doorstep. They were all in perfect shape, nobody seemed to have performed drop-tests with them, nor were they used for target practice. Unpacking was easy, instructions are clearly printed on the box so you have no excuses. The speakers are wrapped in a reusable fabric bag which is a nice touch. The third box contains the spikes, rubber feet and a cleaning cloth. There also was a leatherette folder containing the owner's manual and product brochure. Now that's class!

The Cherry finish is very nice, maybe not to the same standards as some high-end British speakers, but considering the price paid, I was more than satisfied. I could appreciate an effect of moiré when the sun fell on the wooden surface. The peakers looks stunning with their array of 2 woofers, 2 mids and 2 tweeters.

Since I was already using a bi-wire setup, I immediately removed the generic sheet-metal jumpers from the double binding posts and hooked my ZU Wax speaker cables. Compared to my ageing Linn Indexes, I could immediately hear a tremendous improvement, especially in the dynamics and bass extension. Treble was a bit harsh and unnatural. After a little over 50 hours of burn-in, they really started to shine. Gone was all the harshness, and the spacial image kept improving day after day. After 200 hours, I disbeleiving myself could hear bass from the fm tuner as I never hear from CD.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase, the magnitude of improvement they brought to my systems easily compares to what speakers worth 2-3 times the price would have achieved. (I tried ProAc Studio 130, Spendors S6e, Linn Ninka).

Associated equipment:
- Arcam DiVA A85
- Rotel RCD975 used as transport
- Benchmark Media DAC-1
- Revox B160 FM tuner
- RSA Midnight Silver Edition interconnects
- SilverFi Phrigian interconnects
- Zu-Cable Wax speaker cables (bi-wire)
- Actinote and BPT power cables

Strengths:
A lot of speaker for the money: good looks, incrediable performance. A wide range of finishes is now available, from wood veneers to black piano gloss. While they have deep bass extension, they remain clean and sophisticated, with extremely articulate mid-range, sweet and civilized highs, a truly great holographic soundstage. All that for less than 2k !

Weaknesses:
Some minor quality control issues (the edges of the grilles are uneven, but who needs the grille?!?)

Similar Products Used:
- Linn Index II
- Spendor S6e
- ProAc Studio

PeterChenoweth

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Axiom.com

Summary:
This is in regards to the M80V2 model.

I've had Axiom's M22 bookshelves and their VP150 center for almost 3 years and have been quite happy with them. While the M22's are awesome for bookshelves, they lack the clean and bold sound and presence of full-range floor standing speakers. I finally decided that it was time to upgrade to larger speakers. I didn't want to be an Axiom fanboy, so I began researching other speakers. My wife and I spent many months and traveled hundreds of miles to listen to various other speakers, including Vienna Acoustics, B&W, Paradigm, Martin Logan, Definitive Technology, Energy, JBL, and Klipsch.

Not being able to demo the M80's before purchasing them made it somewhat difficult to decide, but in the end since I already owned the center and soon-to-be rear surround M22's, I thought I'd go ahead and order the M80's to see what they would do.

I was not dissapointed.

There's not much I can say about the M80's that hasn't already been said. They are amazingly clear, precise, and controlled. The only speakers we listened to that gave us the same 'wow' factor would be either the B&W 703's, which cost about 3 times as much, or the Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands which are about twice as much. Both of those have a similarly controlled, refined, and crystal clear sound as the M80's. Other speakers that we listened to in the $1,000-$1,500 range all seeemed to have faults; too bassy, or too much midrange, or piercing highs, or just overall 'blah-ness' to the sound.

If you've tasted the sweet nectar of Axiom speakers before, you might as well go all out and buy the M80's. They're simply charming speakers.

Strengths:
Sound quality. They really do sound amazing, just make sure you power them with an appropriate source.

Value. Amazing sound quality for the dollar. Comparable to speakers costing hundreds, if not thousands, more.

Solid build quality. Yes the 'base' M80's are vinyl covered, but it looks good. binding posts are of excellent quality.

Weaknesses:
The M80's are 4-ohm speakers. Make sure your equipment can handle it (email Axiom if you don't know). I had to purchase a dedicated amplifier.

They need good, clean power, and space to breathe to really shine.

My only complaint is that their shipper, DHL, really mangled one of the boxes. One of the grill binding posts was broken, but otherwise no damage. It looked like the box had been thrown into a large blender. Free shipping is wonderful, but Axiom needs to re-evaluate their shipper.

Similar Products Used:
B&W 6xx, 7xx, 8xx series, Paradigm Reference, Klipsch, Vienna Acoustics, Definitive Technologies, Martin Logan, Energy Veritas & Take series.

BobRoberts

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1479.00 from Avery Audio

Summary:
These M80VR are amazing! I have yet to find a better pair of speakers for the money. The $1479.00 Canadian I paid for these was well worth the trip north. Frequency response is stunning. Crisp, clear highs, perfect midrange and tight bass response. The only dealer I could find was Avery Audio in Dorset, Ontario, but it was worth the trip. Their soundroom was spectacular for a small town. Demonstrations from rock to classical to vocals were impressive and the staff dealt with me in a friendly and professional manner. So if you don't care much for status of owning very well named speaker but want quality build and sound, give the Axiom M80VR a listen.

Strengths:
Clear and precise imaging. Great sound ! Good bass. Excellent value for the money. Good fit and finish.

Weaknesses:
Had to drive to Avery Audio to listen to them as they are the only dealer around.(Oh well, nice trip out of the city)

Similar Products Used:
Cerwin Vega, Klipsh, Paradigm, B&W, Bose901, JBL.

mushi

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1400.00 from Axiom Loudspeakers.c

Summary:
This review is for the m 80's v2, These speakers are really amazing they are very neutral and accurate, they seem to lack nothing, these speakers really don't need a subwoofer, how do I know? bebause I have one and it's not a bad one , in my previous two home theater systems it made a big difference but not now really, Ive hooed them up to my technics da 10 bi-wire capabitity and they sound awesome both for music and movies, In Finding Nemo the scene when Darla taps the fish tank had my pecture frames shaking, really impressing since my sub was off. I've learned you don't have to pay alot. I auditioned paradigm studio 100;s v3 and left the audition lacking sonething in the line of bass , Paradigm is great speaker company and they wheir my first coice, but I am so glad I gave Axiom a try. and they are all that ! by the way I also heard the s8 by Paradigm and wasnt overly impressed, So if you are like me and don't care much for status of owning very well named speaker but care all about quality build and sound without the killer price give these axioms a listen.

Strengths:
bass, midrange,and treble also soundstage
price

Weaknesses:
none so far

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Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.64 of 5, 14.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1240.00 from Axiom Audio

Summary:
Like most of you, I'm busy with a family and running a growing business so I'm going to spare you the rhetoric. The only thing that's not audiophile grade about these speakers is the price. The only reason I'm taking the time to write about this product is because the performance of the M80Ti far exceeds the price. Better yet, customer service and product support is on par with the very best companies I've ever encountered. Not only does Axiom back their products, but the staff is always courteous, honest, and highly responsive to the concerns of their clientele. Whether through e-mails or phone inquiries, they've always dealt with me in a friendly, intelligent, and professional manner. Be sensible, shop around, listen to other speakers, compare prices, service, etc. Then, give these a try. The only status conferred upon an individual who overpays is "idiot" or perhaps "sucker". I've bought most of my gear for 30-50 cents less on the dollar through online auctions. So much for the resale value of high-end gear. Some investment huh?

Strengths:
You'd have to pay a lot more for only modest increases in sound quality, but you'd get a finely finished wood veneer cabinet for your money. Great for parties, high volume for extended fun without distortion. Vinyl finish is seamless, but hey, it's still vinyl.

Weaknesses:
I'd like to see some Special Editon or expanded finish offerings for this line. Would really like a pair with a rosewood veneer finish and a high tech urethane overcoat, maybe leather trim. Are you listening Axiom?

Similar Products Used:
Detail and presentation is on par with some electrostatic designs I've heard with bass you can feel.

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