Narrowed it down to these 3 spks. Opinions? (1 Viewer)

[KyleGS]

I'm interested in a pair of speakers for a 2.1 sound system for music. I have a KSW12 sub already. I am asking you guys for your opinions on these b/c I cannot go listen to these anywhere near me. Please give me your unbiased (if possible ) opinion on these three. I have been looking for a while and these are the only ones I am interested in. Also I know the prices don't really seem in the same range but I am looking for shear preformance. I'm looking at the:
Axioms M3's
HTD Level 2's
S-38's
Any opinions on these would be greatly appreciated.
-Kyle-

 

[Marcus Lewis]

Go with the M22's over the M3's ...
Check out the Diva 2.1's ... Everyone sez they are great ...
Check out Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's
www.ascendacoustics.com
I'll be going with either the Ascend's or the Axioms myself ...

 

[KyleGS]

Thanks for the help- I have looked into the DIVAs but I don't think I want those for cosmetic reasons. Also- let me add that I have a $300 limit for the pair - I will be purchasing online.

 

[Daniel T]

If your limit is $300 dollars than go with the axiom M3s. They are $275 brand new or around $250 for factory outlet. You will not be disappointed. I use them as my mains along with two subs.

Daniel T

 

[Daniel T]

Kyle,

I just noticed you are from Baton Rouge. I lived in Baton Rouge for 26 years but have moved the Birmingham, AL for the last year and a half. Good to see some hometown people on the forum. Geaux Tigers!!!!

Daniel T

 

[Chris Tsutsui]

Mwahaha someone finally agrees with me on the Divas cosmetics..

Anyways I would pick the JBL S38s from the 3 you chose.

I didn't listen to the Axiom M22s but I did hear the S38s and knew what I was getting when I bought them (ebay).

 

[KyleGS]

WOW you guys are fast....I want alot of performance for my dollar. Are the s38s and Axioms just a lil better than the HTD Level 2's? I'm trying to keep my costs down. Thanks for the responses.

Daniel- why'd you leave BR? I'm about to go to Monroe LA for Pharm school. I love BR- I'm really going to miss BR and Tiger Stadium on those magical Saturday nights.

 

[Kevin L K]

Good Lord--it's about time someone mentioned Ascend Acoustics speakers ! I was starting to wonder if SOMEONE would mention how great these speakers are. IMHO they easily compete and beat any bookshelf speaker that's been mentioned on this board(within reason of course).Ascend speakers sound incredible for the price.

 

[Ron Reda]

If you're trying to keep your costs down, go with the Axiom M3s. However, if you can afford a bit extra, go with the M22s...I've read that they handle music better than the M3s. Either way, you can't go wrong. One thing...keep in mind that I'm biased...I've got Axioms all-around (M3s included)!

 

[Stephen Houdek]

Go with the JBL's. Axiom can't touch them.

 

[Mikey B]

Here's some input that might help:

First, I am only recently (more like a year ago) crossing over from casual listener to audio enthusiast. I now have some understanding of quality sound, but I do still have a little trouble identifying differences in speakers. For the most part, all decent speakers sound somewhat similar to me. If they do a good job with music at all, I think you can buy any speaker on your list as well as many many others and be darn happy with your choice.

My experience very recently: I own Paradigm Studio 60's (1.5 years ago) and really like them. I recently got a hold of some Axiom M3's and placed them right on top of my Paradigm's. Using my subwoofer with both, I was very hard pressed to say the 60's were better. What floored me was when I turned the subwoofer off and the differences were still so small, that I started thinking I SHOULD have bought the M3's a long time ago instead!

Now I still love my 60's, especially because they look so nice with the real wood veneers, but from a performance standpoint, the Axioms come so close to matching the 60's that I can't recommend them enough because of the cheap price and awesome value! I didn't spend a lot of time comparing these two very different speakers, and I tend to believe the 60's would ultimately win out, but the fact the M3's were in the race at all says tons for them.

Sonically and tonally (Sp.?), these two speakers sounded so similar, I had doubts about whether I had changed the speaker cables. When I first bought my 60's, and after some experimenting with positioning, they were able to place primary voices in 2 channel music sources in the center of the image....and I really fell in love with them. The Axiom M3's were able to do this every bit as well...maybe even better. After giving these speakers back to their owner and listening to them in his system (which compares to mine but in a slightly lower price catagory), I was really impressed with how will they image. His speakers are placed in an entertainment wall unit with the cabinet doors having grill cloth hiding the speakers. These are on the floor no less. In 2-channel mode, I was blown away at how high and in the center vocals sounded. More than once I walked up to the center channel speaker (on top of a 55" TV) to make sure it wasn't playing.

Maybe the other speakers you are considering can do the same things...I don't know. But because of what I experienced with the M3's, I have to nominate them as the best value speaker made! Don't confuse value with "cheap" either. As stated in many reviews, the M3's perform with speakers costing many times their price. The Paradigms retail for $1200 in the laminate version which is a "most fair" comparison to the Axioms. At $275, the M3's are only 23% of the cost of the 60's. Proof's in the proverbial pudding.....

 

[KyleGS]

Wow- great post. Thanks for the opinions and reviews. I think its between the S38's and Axoims- the JBL's are about a 50 buck bill more expensive. hmmm.. I'm torn.....Anyone A/B'd these speakers side by side?

 

[Paul_Fisher]

What about Paradigm Mini Monitors. I have those and they are great for music. They are also right at $300.

 

[KyleGS]

One more time- anyone else?