12.2024 - Audio Emporium

Axiom M-50 Tower, $1400 Per Pair

{35.5h, 9.25w, 13d, 39 lbs, 94 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-200 w/ch}

Two 6.5” Aluminum Woofers, One Titanium Tweeter

Bryston contracted Axiom to build its speakers over a decade ago. The project was a tremendous success and the companies merged. The resulting company is simply called Bryston. Bryston is using the Axiom banner to bring speakers and electronics to market that are outstanding- yet under the price and power levels reserved for the Bryston brand. Axiom speakers are built in Canada with a 5 year warranty.

M-50 Is Axiom’s Most Affordable Tower

We booted ALL the Chinese speakers out of our store in early 2024. We wanted better sound, construction and yup, we don’t want our money going to China. With that move, our most affordable tower has been Axiom’s M60 at $2k. It’s terrific.

We heartily welcome M50 as a sturdily built, even less expensive tower. You’re no longer stuck with a Chinese bucket of bolts in this price range. We’re thrilled to be able to offer Canadian muscle and smoothness that you can drive with virtually any range of amplifier or receiver due to M50’s high efficiency.

Two-Way

M50 is a formidable little brother to M60, which is a 3-way. M50 features a pair of 6.5” woofs and Titanium tweeter.

Axiom has created this highly efficient tower, competitive with horn loaded designs, at this attainable price point. M50 maintains Axiom’s smooth upper end performance and yet has impressive, weighty bass as well. At 94dB the M50 can be driven by any amp. But make no mistake… with the bass and dynamic capabilities of M50 you’ll be rewarded by running a solid class AB amp like those made by Atoll. If you run a D amp or something with SMPS or tiny power supplies, you won’t be hearing what M50 is capable of.

McIntosh MA-352 Integrated Amp

200×2 (9 7/8h, 17.5w, 20.5d, 67 lbs)

McIntosh makes a mountain of integrated amps and separates. They make so many options even we dealers have a tough time keeping them all straight. What’s the best bang for your buck in the family? Consider the hybrid (tube preamp section/solid state amp section) MA352.

Mac won’t let us post the price of its gear on our site. I think it’s ridiculous, but it’s their sandbox we’re playin’ in. It rhymes with heaven.

MA352 starts with Mac’s gorgeous power meters with blue lights. It’s a stunning piece of audio gear to look at, as well as listen to. Since any integrated in this range is going to be a good performer, perhaps you’ll just want to cut to the chase and buy MA352 for its scintillating elegance.

It’s OK to consider sex appeal as part of the package. Why not have some fun?

McIntosh DNA starts with POWER. MA352 runs 200×2 and delivers a TIGHT kick in the fanny to your speakers. MA352 doesn’t use autoformers so it throttles dramatically more power into 4 ohms.

While some brands eschew tone controls, Mac does NOT. Mac feels a properly built, noiseless EQ is a valuable musical TOOL. It has five turnover hinge points. 30Hz, 125Hz, 500Hz, 2kHz and 10kHz.

Many speakers AND ROOMS can use some help with the lower two settings. Likewise for the highest setting. 500 & 2k will be used less often, but if you want to pull the midrange forward a bit, you have the ability to do so.

MA352 uses four tubes in the preamp section- two 12AX7A, and two 12AT7s. You’ll garner a tubey, iridescent flavor with this epicurean integrated. The power amp section is solid state, which is important for high current and stalwart reliability. MA352 sounds especially clean, lean and controlled- not heavy and murky.

MA352 is an ideal partner when you want to create a rounder, more mellow musical hue.

Inputs:

Three sets RCA inputs

Two sets XLR inputs

MM phono on board

Outputs:

Variable preamp line out R&L for sub or different amp

Heavy Duty Binding Posts

Every speaker will sound better with a weighty Mac vs something skinnier or lean. MA352 is a synergistic match with revealing speakers like Brystons and Magnepans in particular!