Axioms and Ascends

uh, that's "I do not believe the reviews are accurate". that was confusing.

I've heard the Axioms and the Ascends, and I bought the Epos ELS-3s. I agree with Plinko that the Axioms were bright, but I found the Ascends to be just a little too laid back. The Epos (also a metal tweeter) were just right to my ears. I have a tube preamp, so that makes a difference too, compared to all SS gear.

Are any of them "better than speakers costing three times as much"? You can always find a much more expensive speaker that doesn't sound as good as what you have, so I think those kinds of comparisons are meaningless. At ~$300/pair, all of them are a good value, and I think the Epos is a great value. If you spend more money, you can get a better speaker. Decide on your budget, listen to some speakers, and enjoy the music!

David

Axioms have great quality and value. I am just breaking in a pair of M3ti in a small bedroom and am happy so far. But, then I don't have great expectations and would use them in a main system without a sub. They will go flat to 70 Hz and are -3 dB at about 65 dB (in room). I found them to be bright only at high volumes but in the bedroom I will not be playing them as loud. They stike me as a great near field monitor. They will bring out the best and the worst of recordings. My bias is towards a silk dome tweeter, especially for high volumes.

edit: "...would NOT use them in a main system without a sub." Sorry for the confusion.

I dont think the Ascends are "giant killers" like all the reviews says. I had both a pair of Ascend CBM-170's and a pair of PSB Stratus Mini's in my house at the sametime and the Ascends were no where near as good. The leap between the two was a huge leap and with the Mini's they actually sounded like music the Ascends sounded like Mid-Fi.