Axiom M3Ti, Adire Kanada, Klipsch RB-3, Polk Lsi-7' ? (1 Viewer)

[WaltS]

I am looking for a set of bookshelf speakers to go into a bedroom that is 16'x 12'. I will be getting a PCplus sub from SVS (when it becomes available) to provide the bass and will decide on the receiver after I pick the speakers.

So far the list of speakers I'm considering consists of the Axiom M3Ti, Adire Kanada, Klipsch RB-3, and Polk Lsi-7.

I added in the Polks simply because I have listened to them in my local store but I'm betting the price point of the receiver I'd need to drive them well will exclude them.

I am leaning toward using 5 of the same speaker for my setup as the center of the waterbed is the only spot I need proper imaging for.

My budget isn't capped but I'm trying to keep the total for the speakers (not including the SVS) as much below $2000 as I can. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Allen Longcor]

I guess I'll be the first to recommend Diva. You can get their top of the line system for about $2000. That would be for floorstanders and a cente though. I would go listen to everything in your area if I could.

 

[WaltS]

Does anyone have the Diva 2.1 Bookshelf speakers? I must admit for 200 a piece they do look good, definetly something to consider.

 

[Dustin B]

The Kanada is basically an assembled Kit81 (sealed bookshelf plan). Do a search of the DIY/Advanced section for the Kit81 to get opinions of those who have built it.

 

[Jesse Clift]

I own a pair of M3ti's and I absolutely love them. These speakers continually impress me with wonderful mid-range and accuracy. I power them with a Yamaha RX-V800 and my only complaint is that they lack the bass response necessary for watching some movies. This is something you will run into with any bookshelf speaker though. Your PCplus will definitely solve that problem! I am also hoping to make a purchase from SVS in the near future to compliment my Axioms. The only other speakers on your list that I listened to were the RB-3's and I found them to be decidedly harsh sounding. I personally don't care for the aesthetics of the Divas.

-Jesse

 

[Michael R Price]

Hah! The Adire Kanada is in a different league from all those except maybe the Polk (which uses a pretty incredible tweeter if I'm not mistaken). As Dustin said, ask the DIY forum for opinions. I have the Kit281s (tower version of the Kiri, which is a Kanada with 2 woofers) and they're amazing... people pretty much agree they outperform most commercial stuff below $2000. You may also want to consider the Kosala (high efficiency), but it might be out of your budget range.

I would expect the sound of the Kanada to be neutral or slightly bright (less so than the Klipsches), with very good quality bass and great soundstaging. Those are the main qualities of those speakers.

 

[WaltS]

I have been reading extensively since I first posted and I have to admit I'm leaning toward the Kanada's. My concern is what receiver I'll need to adequately drive them with a listed power range of 15-250 watts. I have built enough projects to know without a doubt that I'm not a DIY'er so a pre-built package is what I'll wind up getting.

The entire Diva package has some appeal but the significant other factor as well as the huge shipping cost pretty much excludes it.

The field has basically narrowed down to the M3ti's and the Kanada for my budget. The fact that Mike Knapp uses Adire components for his main's has me leaning in favor of the Kanada's.

 

[Dan_Jones]

I'd go with the M3's; I've been loving mine for quite a while now

 

[WaltS]

The Canadian exchange rate sure makes the Axiom's look good. Audioshop just quoted me $760 US for 2 M22Ti's, 2 M3Ti's, and a VP100 center shipped to North Carolina. For that price I'm going to have hard time picking anything else.

 

[Russell _T]

Walt,
Could you please elaborate on the Divas and SOF? Most people who have bought them have reported a very high SOF rating. That plus their performance make them hard to beat in any catagory. Shipping for a 6.1 package averages only about $200.00. After I received mine, I kept thinking how fantastic it was to be able to own something as well made and sounds as good as the Divas for such a reasonable cost. I wouldn't own any other speaker for twice the price, and I listened to a lot of them.
Good Luck,

 

[Terry Flink]

nOrh 4.0 Ceramics $850.00 for 5 speakers....highly recommended. www.norh.com

 

[Martice]

Hi Walt. I would do a search on GR Research on this site and read up on the Paradox 1's and AV1(and AV1+) speakers that they offer. I would also go to Link Removed and talk to Brian Bunge about his cabinets and go to GR Research and speak to Danny who is the owner of the GR Research products. I'm sure that the other speakers mentioned here are all nice but I think before you make a choice, you should give some serious research time to the GR Research offerings on these sites, Audio Asylum and Harmonic Discord. If I'm correct, I believe that GR Research is going to allow in home usage of his GR Research speakers but you can call Danny on that one.
Good Luck

 

[Michael R Price]

Ah yes, the "custom assembled DIY speakers" idea. Good idea Martice. If I were buying speakers now, they'd be based on DIY designs. Of course I am biased though.

Only buy the Axioms if your budget is too tight for anything else.

 

[WaltS]

I showed the pictures of the Diva's to the significant other and she really really didn't like them. Personal I thought they looked great. I haven't ordered anything yet so far.

 

[David Head]

Michael,

I'm interested to hear your experience with the Axiom, Klipsch and Polk vs. the Adire you own. Have you listened to them in your home, a friend's home, an audio store, etc. Thanks.

David

 

[Michael R Price]

I've listened somewhat extensively to the Klipsch RB-5 at a friend's house and an audio store. The RB-5 is the larger brother of the RB-3.

I've also listened very extensively to the Adire Kit281 (I own them). The Kit281 is a much larger sibling of the Kanada but they use the same drivers and a very similar crossover.

The Klipsch has a more up front, exciting sound and has more impact for rock music. Treble sounds like cymbals are very very clear. At 92 dB efficiency they will go loud even run from a receiver.

The Adire has a much smoother midrange. The soundstage is much better and the sound has more 'detail' or 'texture'. It can still be a lot of fun for rock music though. The Kanada should have an efficiency of 84 dB or so (given that the Kit281 measured at 89.7 dB and has 2 woofers). Given this, you may have trouble reaching reference level on a receiver. Adire's page states otherwise, so you may want to e-mail Dan Wiggins with your configuration to get a second opinion.

Both speakers are very accurate and can be considered 'bright' by people who are used to a softer, warmer sound like many audiophiles. They will become fatiguing if you run them large at high volumes, they are both designed for use either as music speakers or HT satellites.

The others: The Polk has an amazing tweeter, I don't know about the rest but it's getting very good reviews. I would bet it would be similar to the Kanada. The Axiom is a great value but not in the same league as the others. Between the Klipsch and Adire, I recommend the Adire.

 

[Brandon Blair]

For the price range we're talking about i'll throw in a new name, that i personally think is heads and tales above everything being talked about here. I'd look at JMLabs. Right now you can get your entire set from their Chorus Line (which is the entry level speakers) for $1999 from any of their dealers. The retail on this set which includes 2 floor standing, 2 bookself, center, and a sub, is around $2700. I'm new here, but haven't seen much said yet on JMLabs speakers and am quite surprised as they are far better speakers than most discussed on here. IMHO.

 

[David Head]

Michael,

I've listed to the Adire Kit 81 and 281 speakers at Mike Knapp's house. I agree that they are a step above the Klipsch and Axiom (I won't comment on the Polk since I haven't heard them).

I would suggest that if you haven't heard the Axiom speakers, you shouldn't make statements that they are "not in the same league as the others". There are members here that would say the Axiom's compete very well with the Klipsch and Polk speakers.

David

 

[Paul_Fisher]

Boston Acoustics VR-M50 or 60 would be a good choice.

 

[Michael R Price]

Oops, sorry about the bad M3Ti reference. It just looks like the M3Ti is designed to compete with Mini Monitors, B&W 303s, the Klipsch SB series, and other speakers in its $300 price class. Compared to those, it apparently does very well. I agree I should not judge anything before actually trying it. Sorry.