Price Paid:  $80.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
I purchased these to replace some nice Realistic Minimus-7 speakers for my wives stereo which resides in the kitchen. Wasn't sure what to expect, they sell new ($185) for virtually the same price as the highly touted Paradigm Atoms and PSB Alpha Minis. These little (and I do mean little 6.5x5.0x4.5) monitors have a WAF that is off the scale. With the Boston Cherry finish, which pictures simply don't do justice, and their small size, even the most discriminating interior decorator would have to give their approval. The speakers are rated as having a bass response of +/-3db at 130 hz and rolling off to -9db at 90hz. The speakers also are sealed acoustic suspension (no port) which makes placement a breeze. As a stand alone monitor's the little Axiom's, much to my surprise, easily eclipsed the Minimus-7's. Extremely balanced, musical and totally non-fatiguing. On listening to the monitor its obvious a great deal of thought went into the design and shaping of the overall sound characteristic. Since they were only 3 months old and used in a 7:1 home theater application (previous owner went back to 5:1 setup) they still needed some break in time. I decided to break them in on my stereo system (Jolida 40 watt tube amp, Magnovox Belgium made first gen CD player and 8" subwoofer). My normal speakers are the highly rated Aperion Audio 502d bookshelf speakers. To put it mildly I was shocked at the similarity in overall sound characteristics and that of individual instruments to the Aperions. The PSB, Pinnacles and Polks when dropped into the system occupied by the Aperions have much differnt sounds that is easy to distinguish from the Aperions. With Subwoofer in place the Aperions render female vocals better (ie midrange), have greater dynamics and are smoother. Much to my suprise the Axioms did beat the Aperions in two areas: Treble extension and soundstaging. Cymbals, bells etc simply had more presence then with the Aperions, if only by a little. The soundstage (again with subwoofer) was incredible for a minimonitor. They presented the same width and depth as the Aperions (no small feat) and actually had more soundstage height. I might also add that, incredible as it might seem, they easily esclipsed the PSB alpha minis and Pinnacle PN5+ in soundstaging despite being only about 1/4th the size!

Strengths:
Balanced musical nonfatiguing presentation. Size and acoustic suspension design, allow these to be placed unobtrusively in any room. Suprisingly easy to mate with a subwoofer. In my room 13x12x8 I actually ran the sub crossed over at 160hz which really opened up these little gems. The speakers also mate quite well when crossed over a 100hz. Fun Factor off the scale!

Weaknesses:
Obviously very little bass when used as a stand alone. Without a sub I would probably go with the M3ti, atom or alpha mini simply because of the extended bass response.

Similar Products Used:
Aperion 502d, PSB Alpha mini, Pinnacle PN5+, Polk R10, Acoustic Research AR17 (old model), Realistic Minimus-7 and Advent mini. Sure I missed some but you get the picture: love minimonitors!

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Replay Electronics

Summary:
First off, let me say that the above picture of the Mzero in the boston cherry finish looks lovely. First time I've seen the speaker in this finish. I have mine in gloss black, and yes, they are equally attractive.

I have had my Mzeros for a little over three months now. I use them as satellites in a 2.1 speaker system for my computer. It was the purpose for which I originally bought them, as I was looking for something more musical than what one ordinarily hears in typical, garden-variety computer speakers. The Mzeros are driven by an older RCA receiver.

Having listened extensively to all the Axiom "M" series speakers, my only concern about the Mzeros was that it wasn't going to be another "lifestyle" product, that is, a product that makes some compromise in sound quality for sake of size and/or aesthetics. I didn't want that, so I carefully auditioned the product.

To make a long story short, the Mzeros sound similar to the larger Axiom monitors, with the only exception being that they are simply more limited in bass (-3 dB @ 88 Hz). Consequently, a subwoofer of sort is required to achieve full frequency of sound. Like other Axiom speakers, there is no mid-bass hump to artificially project bottom end. Hence, their frequency from mid-bass to upper treble remains very balanced. Clear and detailed, yet smooth and non-fatiguing.

The soundstage is huge for such a small speaker, and given their small size, they image like champs. They may not necessarily fill out a medium-sized room, but they certainly make for excellent near-field monitors.

I am equally impressed with the construction of these speakers as I am with the sound. With all metal drivers, gold-plated 5-way binding posts, solid construction topped off with a gorgeous finish, these mini-monitors simply exude quality.

I do wish they went a little lower in frequency, if only to make integration with a sub more seamless. But given their small size (and sealed enclosure), it is commendable that they go as low as they do.


I am very happy with these speakers. They bring me great enjoyment when listening to mp3s, or simply playing a computer game. The Mzeros did cost more than I was willing to spend on "computer" speakers, but then again, they offer much more. They remain, first and foremost, musical speakers. Highly recommended for those looking for excellent sound in the smallest of packages.

Strengths:
clarity, balance, smoothness, imaging, looks and construction, big soundstage for such a small speaker.

Weaknesses:
limited bass (not surprising), long break-in, about 80+ hours.

Similar Products Used:
Axiom M3Ti, AX-1 reference monitor, AX-1 center, AX-3 towers, Mission 70 Mk.2, Jensen LS-5 towers