Axiom Audio A1400-8 Digital Multi-Channel Amplifier Review
Summary
- Product Name: Axiom Audio A1400-8 Digital Multi-Channel Amplifier
- Manufacturer: Axiom Audio
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: April 14, 2009 21:40
- MSRP: $ 3,850 (amp discontinued due to reliability issues)
- Specifications
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Amplifier Type: Class D
Power (1 channel driven)
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8 ohms - 350 watts
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4 ohms - 700 watts
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2 ohms - 1,200 watts
Power (1 channel full and6 channels at 1/8 power)
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8 ohms - 350 watts per channel
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4 ohms - 700 watts per channel
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2 ohms - 800 watts per channel
Power (7 channels driven)
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All impedances - 200 watts per channel
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H x W x D (inches) = 4 x 18 x 17.5
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Weight: 58lbs
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Capacitance - 140,000 microfarads
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Warranty: 5 Years
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Pros
- A true powerhouse with sonic chops to match
- Superb bass response that rivals competitor linear amp designs
- A true space saver
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Susceptible to ground loops via unbalanced connections
- Easier than most amplifiers to blow out/damage due to negligence
- Too wide for standard 17” rack mounts
Introduction
Axiom Audio has redefined performance expectations of Class D amplifiers with their A1400-8. They have proven that a highly efficient space saving digital amplifier design like this can not only hang with some of the best traditional linear amplifier designs, but also surpass them in some aspects such as dynamics, bass accuracy and power delivery. If you’re assembling an upscale home theater system with the design goals of uncompromised fidelity and dynamics, and your speakers are capable of handling its mighty power, you should definitely add the A1400-8 to your shortlist of high power multi-channel amplifiers for consideration.
See also:
Recent Forum Posts:
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gene posts on April 13, 2011 09:55
I don't mind the M3, I loved them at first until I listened to other speakers over the years. They are certainly not perfect. Axioms customer service is terrific. I wouldn't rate them an 8.5 out of 10 from my own subjective non-controlled listening. I find them to be too colored with vocals to give them that high of a score. That's my biggest issue with them. Also sometimes there can be some weird harshness present on some recordings. I am thinking it might be the metal cone breaking up as it lacks a proper crossover on the 6.5". If I remember correctly it is only a 1st order on the tweeter and the woofer rolls off naturally.
your assessment is dead on. I discussed this in my review of their outdoor version of the M3s which share the same crossover design and parts:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/axiom-algonquin [audioholics.com]
As for customer service, they have some of the best in the business IMO.
MinusTheBear posts on April 13, 2011 09:24
I don't mind the M3, I loved them at first until I listened to other speakers over the years. They are certainly not perfect. Axioms customer service is terrific. I wouldn't rate them an 8.5 out of 10 from my own subjective non-controlled listening. I find them to be too colored with vocals to give them that high of a score. That's my biggest issue with them. Also sometimes there can be some weird harshness present on some recordings. I am thinking it might be the metal cone breaking up as it lacks a proper crossover on the 6.5". If I remember correctly it is only a 1st order on the tweeter and the woofer rolls off naturally.
gene posts on April 13, 2011 08:58
Another problem with using employees along with being able to pick out their own speaker in a blind test is the ability to bias the subjective listening scores. It would be very easy to score a speaker much better if you could tell the other speaker was clearly awful, but in the case where one is better you can always score them to be similar to avoid offending your employer. Your speakers can never lose.
Hence how the term "similarly good was born". This is how most of the companies that run DBTs do it however.
Here is an example of their DBT run by their own employees: http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/October2010.html [axiomaudio.com]
guess who won the comparison
MinusTheBear posts on April 13, 2011 08:07
Another problem with using employees along with being able to pick out their own speaker in a blind test is the ability to bias the subjective listening scores. It would be very easy to score a speaker much better if you could tell the other speaker was clearly awful, but in the case where one is better you can always score them to be similar to avoid offending your employer. Your speakers can never lose.
gene posts on April 12, 2011 23:30
As for an employee taking part in a controlled test I know I would have a very difficult time being unbiased even if done blind.
Bingo! Last time I visted Axiom they put me through their "double blind test" procedure. Prior to going they sent me a pair of M60v3s for our most recent $1k floorstanding shootout [audioholics.com]. I spent over 1 month listening to those speakers. When I sat in their blind test, I identified the M60s everytime. I know the sonic signature of an Axiom speaker since I've listened to it so extensively. Listening blind doesn't remove that bias.
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