cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 8, 2013 19:41:39 GMT -5
Ascend Acoustics Towers
PSB Imagine T Towers
KEF Q700 or Q900
Looking to upgrade from Axiom M80s so I want a speaker that is an upgrade, not a lateral move. BUT I want to stay around $2000-$2500.
Just looking for owner feedback, not necessarily recommendations.
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Post by garbulky on Mar 8, 2013 22:01:33 GMT -5
If you want to upgrade the axioms and have it be worth it, I would look at 2.5K on the low end and more realistically around 4-5k range.
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 8, 2013 22:24:53 GMT -5
The more I research speakers and prices, I think you're probably close. I'm thinking in the $3000-$3500 range to make any difference.  |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 8, 2013 22:54:16 GMT -5
I think you are right. Having experienced the low end extension that the axioms could do I don't know if I could sacrifice for any speaker that couldn't reach it.
My wife and I are in a similar dilemmna. She likes the slim profile of the axioms but all the other nice speakers are too big and ugly for her. Even the pretty ones! Luckily a speaker upgrade is a long way off for me. So plenty of time for me to choose.
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Post by jlafrenz on Mar 8, 2013 22:55:10 GMT -5
I have heard the PSB's. Saying one is better than the other or an upgrade is subjective, but you already know that.
What is it about your Axiom's that make you want to "upgrade"?
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 8, 2013 23:53:43 GMT -5
I have heard the PSB's. Saying one is better than the other or an upgrade is subjective, but you already know that. What is it about your Axiom's that make you want to "upgrade"? Not sure that there is any specific issue. Other than I've had these awhile and I'm wondering what I'm missing; if I'm missing something within reach; how these are compared to other speakers in their price range; are they as good as other brands; what would I get by changing brands, price points, etc...... yada yada yada!!! ;D |
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Post by jhayman on Mar 9, 2013 0:17:29 GMT -5
I just upgraded from PSB Image T6's to Paradigm Studio 100's these are in a whole other league of speakers..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2013 5:55:02 GMT -5
If you buy my Tylers, that'd be a huge upgrade but they are for sale locally  |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 9, 2013 7:07:18 GMT -5
If you buy my Tylers, that'd be a huge upgrade but they are for sale locally I've noticed over the years that very few of the deals that I'm interested in are ever in Texas or close by!!! ;D |
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Post by indyscammer on Mar 9, 2013 20:56:57 GMT -5
Wow cgolf....first the Divas and now the Axioms? You do get itchy after awhile. For $2500 you could try the Tekton Pendragons and report back!  EDIT: cuz my fingers don't work well. |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 9, 2013 21:04:38 GMT -5
Wow cgolf....first the Divas and now the Axioms? You do get itchy after awhile. For $2500 you could try the Tekton Pendragons and report back! EDIT: cuz my fingers don't work well. The Swans were the worst speakers I have ever owned for some reason. My room and setup may have been factors but everything else has sounded great.... Not sure why?  ? Yeah, I'm not unhappy with the Axioms. I'm just wondering if moving up a notch or 2 will really make that much difference and how much that notch or 2 will cost me. ;D |
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Post by djoel on Mar 9, 2013 21:18:04 GMT -5
I've had my Ascend Towers with RAAL tweeter for almost a year now and I'm super happy with them. I've own Infinity Overtures/ Intermezzo's, Energy Veritas towers, Definitive ST, Dali Helicon's, B&W 800 series, and now these babies. Never been so happy with there high, and lows.
Good luck
Dan
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 9, 2013 23:23:21 GMT -5
You might want to wait for the new reference series from Emo. With the ribbon tweeter it should sound very nice. Or maybe look at something from Salk.
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reaper60
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Post by reaper60 on Mar 9, 2013 23:46:12 GMT -5
I have this Same dilemma on a regular basis. Went from one English brand to another, and up the line to my current monitor audio gr60's. great set of speakers. I think what you consider a worthy improvement is going to be based on your preferences and system goals though.
My recommendation, if soundstage, pin point accuracy, and sonic clarity are tops in your book, check out the Maggie's. 1.7 and 3.7's are some really excellent speakers. However, should home theater be your thing, probably not the top choice as the low end on them suffers without a fast, and accurate subwoofer to keep up.
If theater is your choice, my suggestion might be to stick with the axioms as they are some great equipment. If you find a set, you might consider trying out some Onix rockets and their Bigfoot. No longer produced, but at the too of the price/performance curve in their day.
Some other people might have some more options and opinions that are much more experienced then mine. I know there are more speaker options out there than the half of us have the time to consider. Only advice I can really give,... Let your ears be the decision makers!!!
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Post by Porscheguy on Mar 9, 2013 23:48:05 GMT -5
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on Mar 10, 2013 10:20:39 GMT -5
I am thinking about upgrading my Salk Song Towers and Salk Song Center in Black Satin.The Salks are 2 years old and in great condition.I will stay with the Salk line of speakers as they are Fantastic sounding Jim Salk has great finishing ability. |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 13, 2013 12:20:14 GMT -5
I just got back from another listening session (PSB, Paradigm, Goldern Ear, DynaAudio) and although I haven't decided on speakers yet, I have come to these 3 conclusions:
1. When I read posts from those who have gone through this exercise, I admire/wonder about them because so many times they will post and go on and on about all the big or subtle differences and nuances that they hear with all the different speakers they listen to.
I say this because..............
2. I have listened to a number of different speakers and quite honestly, they all sound pretty much the same. Of course, I haven't listened to every pair one right after the other. Usually it's been hours or miles or days apart. Sure, one set may have a little better or tighter or stronger this or that, but overall, nothing huge. At least to my ears.
3. I'm tired of researching, looking, searching, driving, thinking, wondering, comparing and trying to find that "one set of speakers" that will sound so much better than the rest.
So now that I have all that off my chest, I wonder what's next. I haven't heard enough "difference" yet from these other speakers from my current Axioms that would get me to pay double for a set of new speakers over what the Axioms cost today. True, there are alot of other speakers I haven't heard and probably won't hear because they are ID or there aren't dealers local that sell them.
This speaker search is making me thirsty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
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Post by chaosrv on Mar 13, 2013 12:39:50 GMT -5
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Mar 13, 2013 12:45:22 GMT -5
I read about those when they first came out. Seems like alot of wasted drivers. Guess they work for the right person in the right situation and setting but not for me. |
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Post by monkumonku on Mar 13, 2013 13:05:50 GMT -5
I just got back from another listening session (PSB, Paradigm, Goldern Ear, DynaAudio) and although I haven't decided on speakers yet, I have come to these 3 conclusions: 1. When I read posts from those who have gone through this exercise, I admire/wonder about them because so many times they will post and go on and on about all the big or subtle differences and nuances that they hear with all the different speakers they listen to. I say this because.............. 2. I have listened to a number of different speakers and quite honestly, they all sound pretty much the same. Of course, I haven't listened to every pair one right after the other. Usually it's been hours or miles or days apart. Sure, one set may have a little better or tighter or stronger this or that, but overall, nothing huge. At least to my ears. 3. I'm tired of researching, looking, searching, driving, thinking, wondering, comparing and trying to find that "one set of speakers" that will sound so much better than the rest. So now that I have all that off my chest, I wonder what's next. I haven't heard enough "difference" yet from these other speakers from my current Axioms that would get me to pay double for a set of new speakers over what the Axioms cost today. True, there are alot of other speakers I haven't heard and probably won't hear because they are ID or there aren't dealers local that sell them. This speaker search is making me thirsty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D My main exposure to listening to a lot of different speakers was attending the T.H.E. audio show the past couple of years. I had the same overall experience you did, that most of the stuff sounded pretty much the same and pretty soon I got tired of listening to everything. A few speakers stood out to me - some because they sounded bad and some because they sounded good. The ones that sounded bad to me were either harsh or nasal - very boxy. I tried to think of exactly what impressed me about the good speakers - what separated them from the others. I'd have to say that they sounded "effortless." Like the speaker disappeared and I had a window to the actual performance and I wasn't listening to a box. It wasn't just the accuracy or detail, but the dynamics as well. I guess I keep coming back to "effortless" as the main description for what really impresses me with a system. Now in your case, even though everything is sounding pretty much the same and you are getting tired of looking, you know that you need to buy something no matter what. ;D |
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