Axiom Epic 80-600 Listening Tests cont.

Thinking about how to set up dual center channels I used a Y-splitter at the RX-V2500 舗 s center channel pre-out and connected it to an additional Aragon 2002 amplifier. I now had the Yamaha RX-V2500 舗 s amplifier powering the M80ti rear surrounds and the QS-8 EX channels. One Aragon 2002 was powering the M80ti front speakers and another Aragon 2002 amp powered the dual center channels using the pre-out 舗 s on the RX-V2500.

After completing a channel level test and adjustment, I selected a DVD to test the Axiom System 舗 s dynamic capabilities in this configuration. An excellent DVD, The Incredibles , features excellent material in Chapter 23 "100 Miles Dash" and Chapter 24 "Reunited".

Playing these chapters with the RX-V2500 set to Dolby Digital EX through the Axiom system made me feel as though I was on one of those 3-D rides at an amusement park. The sound I experienced with the Axioms set up in this configuration had me thrilled with seamless head-ducking pans from left to right and front to back.

Dialogue with the dual center speakers was robust, uncompressed, and very natural sounding. The rear sound stage was enormous and the LFE produced from the twin EP-600s was jaw dropping. Set up in this configuration, the Axiom speakers obtained a level of dynamics that many could only dream about.

The system blended perfectly and I had little doubt that I had just configured the system with excellent synergy. The use of dual center channels was the perfect match for the very aggressive, very dynamic M80ti front speakers.

The use of the M80tis for the surrounds and the placement of the QS-8 on the back wall in an EX configuration made the rear sound stage sound like it went on forever. To say that I was impressed with the way this system sounded in this configuration is an understatement. I simply cannot believe that this level of performance is obtainable at this price. If you have the room and the budget to accommodate the set up as described above, I encourage you to consider it; you will not regret it for a second.

The final part of the evaluation is multi-channel music. I am really hooked on DVD-Audio multi-channel music. This is one of the reasons I wanted to review this system with full range rear surrounds. The Brazilian Bossa DVD-Audio disc is great material for casual listening and is well recorded.

Starting with track 1 "Batida Diferente" and selecting the multi-channel input on the Yamaha RX-V2500, I began listening. As flutes began to play on this track it exhibited lots of air and life. It was perfectly centered and the soundstage was enormous and deep. The piano sounded very fluid but I did note a slight amount of ringing in the center. The horns sounded awesome as they filled in the rear surrounds. I would characterize what I heard from the Axiom system as big, bold, aggressive, revealing, and slightly forward of neutral in its presentation.

Up next was track 7, "Corcovado". This track starts with an unknown female vocalist. She has the kind of seductive voice that almost makes you feel guilty you are listening to her. I wish I knew who the artist was but I can find no information on her. As she began to sing it was readily apparent that the Axiom Audio system was up to the task of conveying her voice; the midrange had an almost liquid sound. Closing my eyes, I felt as though she was performing right in front of me. Electric and acoustical guitar filled the front right and left speakers. Piano and percussion instruments were present in the rear surrounds. All of the speakers blended perfectly, none dominating one or the other. The entire track sounded effortless and balanced.

The next DVD-audio disc I selected was Phillip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi. This is a virtual torture test for loudspeakers and subwoofers.

I selected this DVD for evaluation because it is very easy to detect weaknesses in a surround system. The track starts out with the pipe organ playing very long low notes. Many subwoofers will fall flat when trying to reproduce these notes. The EP-600 had no such trouble.

The notes had great depth, clarity and articulation. There was no overhang between the notes and the EP-600 reproduced them loud and distortion-free. I turned the volume up a bit on the RX-V2500 and had the whole room shaking. 20 seconds or so into the track, a male voice begins chanting Koyaanisqatsi in all speakers, followed by very long violin strums that float over your head from front to back.

The nature of the recording makes it very easy to detect tonal shifts and system imbalance. The use of the dual center speakers up front and the M80tis as rear surrounds really paid off. I was unable to note any audible difference between the speakers. It literally sounded like an umbrella of matching speakers placed above and around me. The interaction between the EP-600 subwoofer and the rest of the speakers was outstanding.

Axiom really has done their homework with the EP-600 subwoofer. It is very musical and is able to reproduce low frequencies at very high SPL levels. One of the EP-600 subwoofers would have easily been enough to fill my room when calibrated to reference level. Two was just icing on the cake.

The gain knob on the plate amplifier was barely off the zero mark. Two of the EP-600s in my room was like having the power of Mother Nature right at my fingertips. My advice if you do use two of the EP-600 subwoofers: bolt your house down to its foundation because, Mister, you are going for a ride!