Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- The tapered cabinet design eliminates internal resonance
- Exhibits a 'Canadian Sound'—open, linear, and detailed
- Produces a natural and realistic midrange
- Offers clear differentiation and separation of instruments
Product Considerations
- Cymbals ended up sounding cleaner, but slightly tinny
- Providing the rear port some space to breathe is important
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 805, the Axiom M3 had more articulate bass, more natural and detailed vocals, and a deeper 3D soundstage
Takeaway: The M3 is a great value for a bookshelf speaker with a natural and realistic sound that evokes a live performance feel. With a subwoofer, these speakers will work well for home theater use.
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
M5 Bookshelf Speakers
- Positioning: Compact high-powered stereo and home theater speaker.
- Description: Offers a full-sized floorstanding speaker experience in a compact form, featuring HP 6.5-inch drivers for high power and low distortion. Unlike the M50 and M60, the 3-way design with a dedicated midrange driver provides a more linear presentation and wider dispersion, making it ideal for medium to large rooms where space is limited but sound quality is paramount.
M50 Floorstanding Speakers
- Positioning: Entry-level floorstanding speaker for home audio and theater systems.
- Description: Delivers clean deep bass with twin aluminum 6.5-inch woofers, making it suitable for small to medium-sized rooms. It shares drivers with the M3 bookshelf model but offers enhanced bass and dynamics in a tower form, providing a more robust soundstage than the M5 while remaining more affordable than the M60 and M80.
M60 Floorstanding Speakers
- Positioning: Mid-range floorstanding speaker with award-winning sound.
- Description: Features a three-way system with triple vortex porting and a dedicated midrange driver, known for its articulate mids and highs. It offers a more compact alternative to the M80 with similar sound quality.
M80 Floorstanding Speakers
- Positioning: High-performance floorstanding speaker for audiophiles.
- Description: Features dual woofers, midranges, and tweeters for enhanced power handling and low distortion. It provides a more immersive experience than the M60, with a wider soundstage and deeper bass.
M100 Floorstanding Speakers
- Positioning: Flagship floorstanding speaker for ultimate audio performance.
- Description: Features triple woofers and dual midranges and tweeters, delivering exceptional clarity and powerful bass. It surpasses the M80 in tonal range and dynamic capability.
LFR1100HP Active Omnidirectional Speakers
- Positioning: Premium omnidirectional speaker for immersive audio experiences.
- Description: Uses a Digital Signal Processor for precise control over each driver group, offering a 3D soundstage with pinpoint detail. Unlike the M100, these speakers provide an omnidirectional experience, making them perfect for unconventional room shapes.
Read the reviews
M3 (Outdoor)
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Manufacturer's notes
- Enclosure: Vortex / Reflex
- Max RMS Amp Wattage: 200 Watts
- Max Dynamic Amp Wattage: 800 Watts
- Min Amp Power: 10 Watts
- Freq Resp +/-3dB (Hz): 65 - 20k
- Freq Resp +3dB- 10dB (Hz): 60 - 20k
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- SPL in Room1w/1m: 90 dB
- SPL Anechoic 1w/1m: 86 dB
- X-Over: 2.5 kHz
- Tweeter: Single 1" titanium
- Woofer: Single 6.5" aluminum
- Dimensions: 13.5" x 8.5" x 8.25" (343 x 216 x 210 mm)
- Weight: 9 lbs each (4 kg)
Our take on the brand
Used
Axiom
What if you spend a bit more?
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Secure imaging, believable vocal and instrumental timbres, and a superb sense of atmosphere and presence
- The speaker does a 'small-box disappearing act supremely well,' not drawing attention to itself and letting the music spill forth
- Provides tight, tuneful, convincing, and properly focused bass that securely underpins the music
- Emphasizes detail and resolution, and has one of the best detail/resolution figures that one reviewer has heard in the price range
- Has a wide sound dispersion, allowing listeners to sit anywhere in the room and still have a great sound
Product Considerations
- Can get sharp—shouty—harsh at high listening volumes
- Bass may not be sufficient for those looking for a lot of bass, and a subwoofer is recommended
- Soundstage is fairly intimate
- The treble can be a bit too hard, and some reviewers wished for a treble cut switch
- One reviewer disliked the cartoonishly large binding posts, and dangling leads can contact the passive radiator
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Buchardt S400: The Argon3S sounds more neutral and mid-centric, has a sweeter voicing, and a sharper treble
- Vs KLH Model Five: The midrange is slightly cleaner on the Argon3S, but it sounds very focused in comparison
- Vs SVS Prime Wireless PRO: The baseline clarity is considerably better for the pricier Argon3S, but the soundstage is far more holographic on SVS Prime Wireless PRO
- Vs ATC SCM 11 Version 2: Similar frame of mind, but the Amphion Argon 3S is more expressive and colorful
Takeaway: The Argon 3S is a compact speaker with a focus on detail and clarity, perfect for those who enjoy analyzing their music, especially at low to moderate volumes. Its design ensures it sounds great in various placements, making it a versatile addition to any audiophile's setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clean, effortless, and neutral sound
- Outstanding clarity
- Handles music with beefy bass in a powerful but neutral manner
- Can play loudly, cleanly, and effortlessly
Product Considerations
- Lacks that sense of a three-dimensional acoustic space, sounding thinner and more compressed, compared to The Greatest
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Revel Performa3 F206: Both reproduce tight, powerful lows, but the Revels dig deeper and sound fuller
- Vs Revel Performa3 F206: Both portray a clear soundstage with real senses of depth and width
- Vs Revel Performa3 F206: Axiom M5HP conceded little to them in midrange reproduction
Takeaway: The Axiom Audio M5HP is a high-quality speaker that competes with far more expensive options and is made in North America. It provides incredible sound, superb engineering—and fantastic build quality at a reasonable price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Even though the S400 MKII shares the same appearances as its predecessor, the speakers are actually quite a different experience when you listen to them. If we are to put this experience into words, it could be something like...
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Surprisingly deep and controlled bass for its size, extending down to 33Hz, is delivered thanks to its passive radiator
- A sweet, smooth, detailed, airy, and intimate sound with a natural midrange that presents human voices remarkably well, is produced
- A wide and deep soundstage, excelling particularly in creating a three-dimensional listening experience with a strong front-to-back depth, is offered
- High-quality components in its crossover, including air core inductors and film capacitors, are used
- Exemplary off-axis performance due to the CDC waveguide, leading to evenly distributed in-room frequency response, excellent imaging, bigger soundstage, and improved transparency, is presented
Product Considerations
- A bit bright in the top end, particularly on-axis and even slightly off-axis, depending on the room acoustics, may be heard; sidewall absorption or equalization may be needed
- Vertical placement is temperamental; listeners should ensure their ears are aligned with the reference point between the waveguide and midwoofer
- A capable amplifier, ideally one with high output power and a high damping factor, is required to properly control the bass
- At high volumes, the speaker can experience compression and distortion, particularly in the higher frequencies and lower frequencies
- The direct sales model means there are no physical stores to demo the speakers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs KEF LS50 Meta: The S400 Mark II sounds bigger and more potent, although the LS50 Meta is more transparent and has higher clarity
- Vs Dynaudio Heritage Special: The S400 MkII offers comparable midrange and equal bass, while the Dynaudio has more sizzle on top and a little more of a plumper mid
- Vs Emotiva B2 Plus: The S400 Mark II has more refined treble and midrange, but the Emotiva is better for rock and metal music
- Vs Dynaudio Special 40: The S400 MkII is sweeter, more open, more spacious sounding, and has a more transparent midrange
- Vs Klipsch The7s: The S400 MKII has a wider soundstage radiation
Takeaway: The S400 Mark II is a great-sounding speaker with impressive bass for its size and is easy to listen to for hours. It is a good option for those looking for a high-fidelity listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
For those who dream of big sound but not big speakers Silverback 1 is a new member of the award-winning Silverback family. It's made for music lovers who dream of great music and sound experiences without having big speakers in the living room. Silverback 1 is the size of a sheet of A4 paper when viewed from the front. That's how small it is. The sound (on the other hand) fills the entire room.
We'll get back to that. Because the most striking thing about Silverback 1 is how incredibly discreet it is, although the amazing sound quality will probably surprise you the most. The sculptural design is created to fit into your home, without demanding too much attention.
Can be placed anywhere Hang it on the wall (with one screw) or place it on a shelf. A power cord is all it needs to become part of a wireless music system or home theater.
Amazing sound experiences have been enjoyed by those who have been willing to buy an expensive music system with exotic equipment and plenty of wires that are difficult to live with.
Award-winning sound and user-friendliness We've revolutionized that with Silverback. It's a family of wireless speakers that requires nothing more than a small digital control unit and a smartphone to deliver first class audio experiences. And it's easy to use. You only need two speakers, a small control unit and a smartphone. That's all. You don't need any equipment or plenty of wires.
The international trade press has named Silverback the world's best wireless speakers four times, and for good reason. You can connect your TV, turntable, computer, CD and games console to the control unit and integrate them into the wireless universe. Your music system can be exactly as simple or complex as you want.
Uses the laws of acoustics to its advantage Silverback 1 is made for placement near a wall. There are special acoustic conditions near walls and speakers need to be built for that location to sound perfect. Silverback 1 uses the laws of acoustics and digital technology to its advantage and achieves a perfectly balanced soundstage when placed near a wall.
And the sound… The first thing people notice about Silverback 1 is the amazing and pleasant bass. The sound is rich and warm, even when playing at low volume. This is due to the specially designed woofers and their perfect match with the built-in amplifiers. It sounds like a much bigger speaker and we're especially proud of its inviting musicality.
What surprises many music lovers next is the speaker's ability to bring vocals to life and how the sound of any instrument becomes clear and detailed. Silverback 1 is a 100% digital speaker built without the use of passive components that can make the sound unclear and muddy in regular speakers. Therefore, it creates a different and immersive experience.
The tweeter's patented acoustic lens covers the living room with sound, so you hear all the nuances of the sound, no matter where you are in the room. It can play surprisingly loud considering how small it is. But the built-in digital processors monitor and protect the speaker from overload, so you only have to think about what song you want to hear next.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Compact dimensions make them suitable for smaller rooms and wall mounting
- Delivers a big sound despite its small size
- Impressive dynamic capabilities
- Good bass performance considering the speaker size
- Clean and purposeful look in either sleek white or black satin finishes
Product Considerations
- Magnets holding the grilles in place aren't very strong
- Soundstage depth is limited, projecting sound forward of the speaker plane
- May exhibit some dynamic compression during complex musical passages
- The SA Cockpit app can be flaky and exhibit strange behavior
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Q Active 200 created a deeper and higher soundstage, while the Silverback 1 had better-defined lower notes, and dynamics were more compressed on the Q Active 200
Takeaway: The Silverback 1 system is a great option for those with limited space who don't want to compromise on sound quality, offering impressive performance in a compact and aesthetically pleasing package. They are designed to blend into a domestic space rather than dominate it.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What else competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Intricately detailed, articulate, and powerful sound across the soundstage
- Astonishing build quality with robust and weighty die-cast aluminium enclosures and a luxurious finish
- The Apex system delivers audiophile standard sound quality without making huge demands on living space
- The inert enclosures enable the Apex to deliver an astonishingly fast and detailed sound
- High frequencies are smooth, speech is clear, and the rear soundstage is expansive
Product Considerations
- Expensive compared to normal compact systems
- The AW12 subwoofer is quite heavy despite its compact dimensions
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Apex uses the same tech as Monitor Audio's Silver RX range, but it is 'distilled' down to fit a more compact cabinet size
- Apex is in a different league than other satellite systems, offering a level of sound quality not typically associated with satellite speakers
Takeaway: The Apex system offers detailed and powerful sound, with an astonishing build quality. It is a great choice for those seeking audiophile-level sound in a compact and stylish package.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The tapered cabinet design eliminates internal resonance, making it lightweight and rigid
- It uses a custom-designed Vortex port that provides more volume in less space
- A unique design allows the woofer to roll off naturally at 2.2kHz, eliminating the need for a low-cost crossover component that could degrade audio signal quality
- Offers a neutral and realistic midrange, providing a natural and realistic sound
- Clarity and resolution, particularly in the midrange area, is well-received
Product Considerations
- Minute gaps were found in the seams of the custom vinyl finish under scrutiny
- Since it is a rear port, some room will need to be left for the speaker to breathe
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the KEF Q1, the M3 had clearer differentiation and separation of choir and orchestra, and French horns had much more balance and presence
Takeaway: The Axiom M3 is a well-designed speaker that offers excellent value and performs above expectations. It could be a great choice for anyone wanting a clean, neutral sound with great dynamics for casual listening.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The M2's are the least colored speakers in its group, offering neutrality
- Impressively involving and capable of delivering music well
- Can reach substantial volume levels before showing signs of harshness
- Exceptional imaging, great precision through the midrange, and a wall-to-wall soundstage
Product Considerations
- A subwoofer is needed to complete the sonic picture, as it lacks deep-bass reproduction
- Fit and finish is adequate but not particularly impressive
Takeaway: The M2 is a neutral and musical speaker that performs well and can be used in a budget or high-end system with a subwoofer. It delivers clear and precise sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Wide soundstage and radiation pattern, both horizontally and vertically, contribute to an immersive listening experience
- Good mid-bass punch, with an elevated bump around 120Hz that gives the perception of more impact
- Neutral tonal balance, with a well-balanced sound that allows the music to shine
- Excellent dispersion characteristics make them suitable for modern spaces where acoustic treatments are limited
- Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) absorbs unwanted sound behind the tweeter for clearer sound
Product Considerations
- Compression and strain in the upper midrange can occur at high output levels (above 90dB at 10 feet)
- Some cabinet resonance exists
- Some detail, clarity, or attack is lacking from the speaker
- Not ideal for high output
- A slight dip around 1-2kHz exists that some people may not like
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the KEF Q350, the Q3 Meta has more body and weight in the bass regions, but the Q350 is slightly better and more lively sounding in the upper frequencies
- Compared to the Polk Audio Reserve R200, the Q3 Meta is more neutral
- Compared to the Paradigm Premier 100B, the Q3 Meta dispersion characteristics are better, so they do not need a sub
- Compared to the PSB Imagine B50, the B50 kept its composure better at much louder listening levels, and its tonal balance seemed somehow even more neutral
Takeaway: The KEF Q3 Meta is an enjoyable speaker with a wide soundstage and neutral sound that makes the music sound good. It's a great pick for aesthetics if one does not listen at dangerous sound levels.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- The tapered cabinet design eliminates internal resonance
- Exhibits a 'Canadian Sound'—open, linear, and detailed
- Produces a natural and realistic midrange
- Offers clear differentiation and separation of instruments
Product Considerations
- Cymbals ended up sounding cleaner, but slightly tinny
- Providing the rear port some space to breathe is important
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 805, the Axiom M3 had more articulate bass, more natural and detailed vocals, and a deeper 3D soundstage
Takeaway: The M3 is a great value for a bookshelf speaker with a natural and realistic sound that evokes a live performance feel. With a subwoofer, these speakers will work well for home theater use.
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