Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2009 2:07:32 GMT -5
I have owned the Axiom M2i's (LCR) (custom piano black finish) for several years along with the Axiom QS4 surrounds (custom paint). The price of the standard finish M2i's is $148. I have been very pleased with both the speakers and Axiom customer service. The M2i's have a 1" titanium tweeter and a 5.25" aluminum woofer and weigh 11.2 lbs. I choose the M2i's based on excellent reviews and because I only had room for a small bookshelf speaker. It matches very well with my Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub/Velodyne SMS-1 sub EQ. My 5.1 system is in our living area cross wise at the end of a 13x37x8.5 carpeted room (liv/din/kitch).
I have read with interest the reviews both pro and user on the ERM/ERD system as a possible upgrade. I ordered a single ERM-1 to do a test comparison with the M2i. See full specs here:
emotiva.com/erm1.shtm
I set up both speakers side by side in the living room about 2.5' away from the wall on 30" stands. I used my Sony STR-DA4ES receiver to drive them as left channel A and left channel B rather than the XPA-5, too many connectors to switch. I level matched the sound output with a RS analog meter on tripod with pink noise at 80dB's and noted the dB setting on the Sony. To attain 80dB's the M2i was set at -31.5 and the ERM-1 at -37.0 on the Sony volume readout. The Axiom is rated at 87dB's and the ERM-1 at 89dB's, but the difference was actually more than 2dB's. I played random music on the ERM-1 for about 6 hours before this test. All tests were done with analog direct and the sub off. I tested the ERM-1 with the tweeter switch in the +2dB position which I prefer. The boundary switch was off but is very effective when I place the ERM-1 against the wall.
I used the same test CD that I made to review my ERC-1.
R. Kelly ..... Gotham City ..... Jive Records (I did not make this up)
The Beatles ..... Because (acapella) ..... Capitol
Nora Jones ..... The Nearness Of You ..... Blue Note Records
The Gipsy Kings ..... Volare ..... Nonesuch
Diane Schuur ..... Funny (But I Still Love You) ..... GRP Records
Lyle Lovett ..... She makes Me Feel Good ..... MCA/Curb
Ambrosian Singers ..... O Tannenbaum ..... Columbia
Ben Webster/Ella Fitzgerald ..... In A Mellow Tone ..... Verve
Voices Of Ascension ..... Sicut Cervus ..... TDK
Pete Fountain ..... A Closer Walk ..... Decca
Sara K. ..... Oh Well ..... Chesky
Dave's True Story ..... Dear Miss Lucy ..... Chesky
Steve Porcaro and David Paich ..... She ..... Sheffield Lab
LA Chamber Orchestra ..... Water Music/Handel ..... Delos
Scott Hamilton ..... That's All ..... Concord Records
Jerry Hadley ..... All I Ask Of You ..... RCA Victor
Clark Terry ..... Pennies From Heaven ..... Chesky
Rahsaan Roland Kirk ..... In A Mellow Tone ..... Warner
Oscar Peterson ..... North York ..... Telarc
With my wife's help as the switcher, I used the following comparison test procedures. She did not know which speaker was connected to A and B. She drew papers from a bowl, either A or B and used that for the start of the test. She kept a note as which one was the first played first and then she switched back and forth as I would pause and restart the music. I could not see the selector or the front panel display on the Sony. I would start the music playing using the remote from the ERC-1. When I wanted her to switch speakers I would pause the player/music and she would switch and adjust the output level for each player which I had calibrated before and wrote down the dB settings for her on the front panel. I would then continue the music playing thru the other speaker. I identified them as #1 and #2 as the order in which she switched them. 2 more times thru the 19 tracks we stopped and she drew again and I one time I physically swapped the two speaker left and right.
After one to three switches (or sometimes more) I would make a note as to which I preferred, #1, #2 or N for no preference and then we would move to the next track and she would set A or B to start playing first as before. When we had finished She told be which player was played first in each of the three sections and I determined whether that was player #1 or #2 on my notes. Of the 19 tracks I chose "N" 2 times (no preference). In the other 17 tracks I chose the exact same speaker as "preferred" all 17 times. The other speaker was never chosen as "preferred."
After the test I rechecked the sound level and it matched precisely for both speakers confirming that they were playing at exactly the same reference volume.
The speaker that I preferred 17 out of 19 times, with 2 draws, was the Emotiva ERM-1!
Axiom Audio M2i. First let me say that this is a very impressive small speaker. It is somewhat smaller than the ERM-1 with sides that slope inward from the front to the rear. It weighs 11.2 lbs versus 17.3 lbs on the ERM-1. Also the ERM-1 is 2" higher, 1" deeper, .25" wider at the front and 2.25" wider at the rear. The ERM-1 has two 5.25 woofer versus one on the M2i. The M2i has very detailed and refined sound. The lows are clean and tight and the highs are crystal clear. The midrange lends itself to a very natural vocal reproduction. This is simply a real bargain for the price from an excellent company.
Emotiva ERM-1. This speaker lists for twice the price of the M2i's and sold normally for probably 50% more or so. So much for the comparisons. The ERM-1 is in every way the superior speaker as I thought it might be, but not nearly to this extent. The night before the test I did a test run thru the tracks after I had the speakers set up for today's comparison. It was late and I kept the volume down to about 70dB's or less. I was surprised that the M2i did quite well at these levels. However, today there was no doubt to the winner. The louder the comparison the farther ahead the ERM-1 pulled. I also did a full frequency response test from 63Hz-16kHz after today's comparison. The Axiom actually had a slightly lower extension down only -5dB's at 63 Hz while the ERM-1 had fallen off the cliff at -15 dB's. This is actually great as the purpose of the ERM-1 is not to play much below 80Hz as it is designed to be matched with a fine sub. Emo designed the low end perfectly! At the highs both speakers were very fine performers with ERM-1 a little better at 12,500Hz and above. My surprise was that the ERM-1 (with two 5.25" woofers) did not have any bass/mid hump that commonly produces a bloated heavy/warm sound. There was dip around 160Hz and 250Hz but the M2i exhibited the same behavior so it was room related. In my living room the ERM-1 was exceptionally flat from 315Hz all the way up to 8,000Hz, and it sounded flat too, superb performance. I did a test on both speakers at 80Hz in which turned up the volume. the ERM-1 was still very clean at 80Hz and 93dB's. The M2i started complaining quite audibly at 80Hz and 80dB's. The ERM-1 obviously had much higher tolerance for high output. Understand that this was at 80Hz, the low end of these speakers range and a very difficult test at a steady 80Hz test tone. I was very impressed with the clean output on the ERM-1 and shut it off at 93dB's. Normally my sub will be taking over at this range but it was interesting to push the Emo.
The ERM-1 is a very impressive speaker indeed. It is extremely clean, natural, defined, dynamic and precise even at very high output levels. I didn't have the meter on but after the test I took the ERM-1 for a vigorous test drive at high speeds. It performed well beyond my expectations. I could not believe how well it performed at levels with peaks well above 100dB's. Remember this is was being driven by my Sony receiver. Wait until I hook up the XPA-5 to it. Only in comparison to the ERM-1 did I hear some of the strain on the M2i as I pushed it to high levels. The ERM-1 simply always sounded ultra clean and natural with every musical selection I threw at it. I think some would not at first like the ERM-1 because to me it did not have that "warm/full" sound that many like that translated by me means a peaked area in the 80-250Hz range and the lack of precise definition. I kept marveling to myself how utterly natural the ERM-1 sounded. It was not as forward sounding as the M2i and it had better soundstage depth and more precise imaging. Voices were so perfectly natural and relaxed I felt I was right there. The lack of audible distortion was clearly evident on this speaker. The silk dome tweeter was precision smooth and very transparent. I felt the off axis response of the M2i was excellent, the ERM-1 was better.
It will take a little ingenuity for me to fit it in the place that the M2i previously inhabited but I've already got several solutions in my mind. Why on Earth are they discontinuing this marvelous little speaker for $149? Yeah, I know, most nuts both Emo and outsiders think one has too have a big speaker for great sound, not in my book. I will hook 3 of the ERM-1's and two ERD-1's (surrounds) crossed over at 80Hz to my sub and have a great sounding system with ultra clean bass, super natural midrange and pristine highs.
The ERM-1 is a Master of Sound. Thanks Emotiva!
I have read with interest the reviews both pro and user on the ERM/ERD system as a possible upgrade. I ordered a single ERM-1 to do a test comparison with the M2i. See full specs here:
emotiva.com/erm1.shtm
I set up both speakers side by side in the living room about 2.5' away from the wall on 30" stands. I used my Sony STR-DA4ES receiver to drive them as left channel A and left channel B rather than the XPA-5, too many connectors to switch. I level matched the sound output with a RS analog meter on tripod with pink noise at 80dB's and noted the dB setting on the Sony. To attain 80dB's the M2i was set at -31.5 and the ERM-1 at -37.0 on the Sony volume readout. The Axiom is rated at 87dB's and the ERM-1 at 89dB's, but the difference was actually more than 2dB's. I played random music on the ERM-1 for about 6 hours before this test. All tests were done with analog direct and the sub off. I tested the ERM-1 with the tweeter switch in the +2dB position which I prefer. The boundary switch was off but is very effective when I place the ERM-1 against the wall.
I used the same test CD that I made to review my ERC-1.
R. Kelly ..... Gotham City ..... Jive Records (I did not make this up)
The Beatles ..... Because (acapella) ..... Capitol
Nora Jones ..... The Nearness Of You ..... Blue Note Records
The Gipsy Kings ..... Volare ..... Nonesuch
Diane Schuur ..... Funny (But I Still Love You) ..... GRP Records
Lyle Lovett ..... She makes Me Feel Good ..... MCA/Curb
Ambrosian Singers ..... O Tannenbaum ..... Columbia
Ben Webster/Ella Fitzgerald ..... In A Mellow Tone ..... Verve
Voices Of Ascension ..... Sicut Cervus ..... TDK
Pete Fountain ..... A Closer Walk ..... Decca
Sara K. ..... Oh Well ..... Chesky
Dave's True Story ..... Dear Miss Lucy ..... Chesky
Steve Porcaro and David Paich ..... She ..... Sheffield Lab
LA Chamber Orchestra ..... Water Music/Handel ..... Delos
Scott Hamilton ..... That's All ..... Concord Records
Jerry Hadley ..... All I Ask Of You ..... RCA Victor
Clark Terry ..... Pennies From Heaven ..... Chesky
Rahsaan Roland Kirk ..... In A Mellow Tone ..... Warner
Oscar Peterson ..... North York ..... Telarc
With my wife's help as the switcher, I used the following comparison test procedures. She did not know which speaker was connected to A and B. She drew papers from a bowl, either A or B and used that for the start of the test. She kept a note as which one was the first played first and then she switched back and forth as I would pause and restart the music. I could not see the selector or the front panel display on the Sony. I would start the music playing using the remote from the ERC-1. When I wanted her to switch speakers I would pause the player/music and she would switch and adjust the output level for each player which I had calibrated before and wrote down the dB settings for her on the front panel. I would then continue the music playing thru the other speaker. I identified them as #1 and #2 as the order in which she switched them. 2 more times thru the 19 tracks we stopped and she drew again and I one time I physically swapped the two speaker left and right.
After one to three switches (or sometimes more) I would make a note as to which I preferred, #1, #2 or N for no preference and then we would move to the next track and she would set A or B to start playing first as before. When we had finished She told be which player was played first in each of the three sections and I determined whether that was player #1 or #2 on my notes. Of the 19 tracks I chose "N" 2 times (no preference). In the other 17 tracks I chose the exact same speaker as "preferred" all 17 times. The other speaker was never chosen as "preferred."
After the test I rechecked the sound level and it matched precisely for both speakers confirming that they were playing at exactly the same reference volume.
The speaker that I preferred 17 out of 19 times, with 2 draws, was the Emotiva ERM-1!
Axiom Audio M2i. First let me say that this is a very impressive small speaker. It is somewhat smaller than the ERM-1 with sides that slope inward from the front to the rear. It weighs 11.2 lbs versus 17.3 lbs on the ERM-1. Also the ERM-1 is 2" higher, 1" deeper, .25" wider at the front and 2.25" wider at the rear. The ERM-1 has two 5.25 woofer versus one on the M2i. The M2i has very detailed and refined sound. The lows are clean and tight and the highs are crystal clear. The midrange lends itself to a very natural vocal reproduction. This is simply a real bargain for the price from an excellent company.
Emotiva ERM-1. This speaker lists for twice the price of the M2i's and sold normally for probably 50% more or so. So much for the comparisons. The ERM-1 is in every way the superior speaker as I thought it might be, but not nearly to this extent. The night before the test I did a test run thru the tracks after I had the speakers set up for today's comparison. It was late and I kept the volume down to about 70dB's or less. I was surprised that the M2i did quite well at these levels. However, today there was no doubt to the winner. The louder the comparison the farther ahead the ERM-1 pulled. I also did a full frequency response test from 63Hz-16kHz after today's comparison. The Axiom actually had a slightly lower extension down only -5dB's at 63 Hz while the ERM-1 had fallen off the cliff at -15 dB's. This is actually great as the purpose of the ERM-1 is not to play much below 80Hz as it is designed to be matched with a fine sub. Emo designed the low end perfectly! At the highs both speakers were very fine performers with ERM-1 a little better at 12,500Hz and above. My surprise was that the ERM-1 (with two 5.25" woofers) did not have any bass/mid hump that commonly produces a bloated heavy/warm sound. There was dip around 160Hz and 250Hz but the M2i exhibited the same behavior so it was room related. In my living room the ERM-1 was exceptionally flat from 315Hz all the way up to 8,000Hz, and it sounded flat too, superb performance. I did a test on both speakers at 80Hz in which turned up the volume. the ERM-1 was still very clean at 80Hz and 93dB's. The M2i started complaining quite audibly at 80Hz and 80dB's. The ERM-1 obviously had much higher tolerance for high output. Understand that this was at 80Hz, the low end of these speakers range and a very difficult test at a steady 80Hz test tone. I was very impressed with the clean output on the ERM-1 and shut it off at 93dB's. Normally my sub will be taking over at this range but it was interesting to push the Emo.
The ERM-1 is a very impressive speaker indeed. It is extremely clean, natural, defined, dynamic and precise even at very high output levels. I didn't have the meter on but after the test I took the ERM-1 for a vigorous test drive at high speeds. It performed well beyond my expectations. I could not believe how well it performed at levels with peaks well above 100dB's. Remember this is was being driven by my Sony receiver. Wait until I hook up the XPA-5 to it. Only in comparison to the ERM-1 did I hear some of the strain on the M2i as I pushed it to high levels. The ERM-1 simply always sounded ultra clean and natural with every musical selection I threw at it. I think some would not at first like the ERM-1 because to me it did not have that "warm/full" sound that many like that translated by me means a peaked area in the 80-250Hz range and the lack of precise definition. I kept marveling to myself how utterly natural the ERM-1 sounded. It was not as forward sounding as the M2i and it had better soundstage depth and more precise imaging. Voices were so perfectly natural and relaxed I felt I was right there. The lack of audible distortion was clearly evident on this speaker. The silk dome tweeter was precision smooth and very transparent. I felt the off axis response of the M2i was excellent, the ERM-1 was better.
It will take a little ingenuity for me to fit it in the place that the M2i previously inhabited but I've already got several solutions in my mind. Why on Earth are they discontinuing this marvelous little speaker for $149? Yeah, I know, most nuts both Emo and outsiders think one has too have a big speaker for great sound, not in my book. I will hook 3 of the ERM-1's and two ERD-1's (surrounds) crossed over at 80Hz to my sub and have a great sounding system with ultra clean bass, super natural midrange and pristine highs.
The ERM-1 is a Master of Sound. Thanks Emotiva!
