Totem Hawk & Axiom M80 Comparison (1 Viewer)

[Jason.Soko]

Has anyone had a chance to compare these side by side? I listened to the Hawks and they were absolutely amazing. They were also $2300 and very inefficient. The axioms have been getting great reviews but I cannot find anywhere in the area that carries them. I'm in into speakers that deliver the most direct realistic sound from the source with nothing added, high or low. I guess I can always go with axioms 30 day money back and test them out at home.

 

[Troy R]

You'll want to check out Dynaudio then. They are among the most uncolored/neutral speakers in the world. They also make the drivers for some of Totem's speakers. www.dynaudio.com

I have the Dynaudio 1.3mkII and I love them! With your budget I would DEFINITELY check out a used pair of dynaudio 1.3SE. AMAZING speakers, with fantastic bass for a stand mount speaker!

But if you're sticking to Totem or Axiom, I'd go with the Totem.

If you're willing to buy used there is a KILLER price for the Dynaudio 3.0 at www.audiogon.com right now. The 3.0 would pretty much crush the totem and axiom!

 

[Jason.Soko]

Well I found a great deal on a simaudio I-5 to power those totem's if I decide to pick them up. The $1200 price difference is what made me look into axioms however. But from what I've heard nothing in the price range of 1500-2200 even comes close to the Totems. PSB Image or Stratus line is the next closest competitor in my opinion.

 

[Troy R]

Nice amp! I edited my post above so you might want to check out some used prices at audiogon. I bought my Dyn's used and couldn't be happier!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Jason.Soko]

Mmmm.. I might have to go demo those things. So you have had good luck with audiogon and speakers?

 

[Troy R]

I bought my speakers at audiogon. Got them for less than half the price of a new pair and they were only 5 months old. just do your homework, check out the sellers feedback. try to talk to them on the phone (get a feeling of the type of person they are, etc). If things go as planned you get MUCH better equipment for the money!

I'm in the market for an amp and don't plan on buying new! I don't know if I'd ever buy new gear again, with the exception of a CD or DVD player.

 

[Halen]

axiom speakers are so well made, and I have to say (because I bought axioms) their customer service is unparralled!! Finaly, go to their site www.axiomaudio.com at the bottom of the page you will see a link that will take you to their "Factory Outlet" Right now they have M80's for only $990!!!! A steal!! I can't find a thing wrong with the "outlet" speakers i purchased from them.

 

[Jason.Soko]

I have no problem with Axiom, I just want to hear them first. Some have claimed their is an issue with brightness in the tweeters and that has to be my biggest pet peeve. That is an amazing price if they do live up to their claim though.

 

[Dan Mastro]

maybe if you let people know your location, there might be an axiom owner nearby dying to show off their system!

 

[BruceD]

Don't know what the Axioms use for tweeters, but the Dynaudios and some Totems use silk dome tweeters.

If that's the sound you like, just keep that in mind.

 

[Jason.Soko]

Yes, silk dome tweeters are what I am looking for. Not titanium and the like. BTW. I currently live in Rochester, NY and Albany, NY. Depends on the week really

 

[Troy R]

I'll say it again!

Dynaudio 1.3SE!

some of the sweetest tweeters in the world! don't be fooled by their small size! They are BIG in every way but DEEP DEEP bass!

 

[Jason.Soko]

At only $3500, I'm fresh out of college, my cc is already yelling at me. Was lucky to find this moon amp cheap, I don't know if I'd go used with speakers though.

 

[Troy R]

I understand. I graduated college 3 years ago and bought a system I wasn't happy with. I still regret it... I'd buy what will keep you happy in the long run. So don't rush into anything. But you should REALLY check out Dynaudio speakers.

I also had a hard time about buying used at first. But think of it this way. How well would YOU take care of a $3500 speaker? MOST people take very good care of their gear. if you're going to drop 3 grand on some wooden boxes that make sounds you take good care of them!

See if there are Dynaudio dealers in your area. They just revamped the Contour line so there should be some great deals to be had.

 

[Jason.Soko]

Found a DynAudio dealer about 25 min from here Damn you Troy for putting bad thoughts in my head!.

Suppose I'll need something evil enough to go with this I-5

 

[Wendell]

I have some axioms and they are great for the price, I have some m40 and they don't sound bright at all. They even sound better after I rebuilt the crossover with high quality components. My brother has the m80's and they may be a bit bright to some people but I think its just because they're transparent and detailed. There is a resistor mod for the axioms to attenuate the output of the tweeters. But we just rebuilt the whole crossover for the m80s and for the price they hard to beat, $1100 for the m80s and $200 for the rebuilt crossover. They just sound awesome!!

I would also suggest going the DIY route if you like to save some money. I have a built a few such as GR Research Paradox 1's which are highly regarded and even compared to the Dynaudio's 1.3 along with some other speakers that cost 3 to 4 times more. If you contact Danny at GR Research, he'll be able to lead you in the right direction. He has an awesome line of speakers in kit or finished form.

 

[Troy R]

They're only bad thoughts until you listen to them!

Then the bad thoughts will all be blown away!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[James Bergeron]

Marc, sells both theses speakers, I'm sure he will chime in.

 

[Zak Ruck]

I'll chime in. I auditioned Totems, Dyn's and Paradigms a few months back. All were very good speakers. My budget is a bit less than yours, so I listened to the Arro's, and the Mites from Totem. I loved the Arro's. Amazing midrange, very tight bass, and both had very good soundstage. Next we listened to the Dyn's, but the Audience series. I can't remember which ones right now. Very sweet sound. Very neutral, clean. Finally listened to the Paradigm's. I was very reluctant, but I read so many positive reviews and a lot of people told me to take a listen. I loved them. I would up buying a pair of Studio 20's. They have exactly what i was looking for. Great highs, very tight bass, and a sound I just love. I really wanted the 40's, but my dealer gave me a price on the 20's that I couldn't pass up. Now I have one more for a center channel, and I'll most likely either buy two more for rears or buy 40's and put the 20's in the rear.

You might want to give them a try. I was really nervouse about them, but was really in awe when I listened to them.

The studio 100's might give the Hawk's a run for their money. But Totem has a different sound. I'd still love to get a pair someday though.

 

[Jason.Soko]

I also auditioned the Paradigms, at the time I was VERY hopefull after reading some reviews. But, in the end they sounded like nothing was there. The highs, mids and lows were just mushy sounding. I don't know what amp you were listening them on, but I believe this was a Marantz integrated power amp. With their efficiency they should not have had the much of a problem. I'd really like to audition the DynAudio but they are a bit out of my price range right now. I actually found the totem arros to have a nasty high end on them. It wasn't very crisp and the cymbals sounded like garbage. Then I auditioned the hawks and it was love at first hearing. If I can find some speakers at a comparable price range I would love to hear them comparatively.