m22 vs. atom

Did you actually pull the trigger on the Paradigm Atoms yet (previous speaker placement thread) or are you still looking?

If you are still speaker shopping and since shelf placement was something that you were considering, why not consider a speaker that would do well on a shelf? The NHT Classic Zero and Classic Two are sealed box speakers and excel with shelf/near rear wall placement. Many positive reviews out there. They do well with tubes or solid state amplifiers.

To answer your original question, with two mid-range/woofers, the Axiom should sound fuller and richer as it is using two drivers to cover the frequency range from 60hz to 3.5khz. It would not necessarily need more power. Its efficiency rating is 89db, whereas the Atom is rated at 90db ... pretty much the same.

Regards, Rich

A friend has 2 pair of Axioms, big and little. I would tend to avoid them. He thinks they sound o.k., I think that they tend to wear their metal tweeters on their sleeve. I think they're ported too, so maybe not the best choice as Rich said for tight placement.

Good luck either way.

I did pull the trigger on the Atoms already... now I see used Axiom m22 speakers for the same price... so I'm sort of kicking myself.

I'm debating whether I should just pick up the axioms and sell the atoms or not.

As for bookshelf mounting, that idea is down the tubes... I just picked up a set of 22" stands.

Djembeplay,

Heard both Axiom and Paradigm, and IMHO I would take a Paradigm over Axiom every time. Axioms aren't bad, but I feel they are definely designed more for the HT crowd. I think that you'll be happy with the Atoms, especially if "down the road" you add a subwoofer.