Swan 6.1 or Axiom M60 v2?

I own Swans, so I'm a bit biased, but the fit and finish on the Swans is excellent. I also prefer silk dome tweeters to metal ones, which can sound a touch harsh. Audition each if you can, but my vote is for the Swans!

AV123 X-Series speaker, great bang for buck! Beautifull speakers that sound awesome.
http://www.**********/products_catego...akers&brand=55

Their MTM & SLS speakers are getting some great reviews over at ********** forum. They are cheaper than the rockets and the reviews over their saying they give the rockets a run for the money, but the rockets are the better of the 2.

As GREAT as the lower end X series is, I HIGHLY doubt that they can compare with the speakers the OP mentioned.

The Rocket 450's would be more of an appropriate candidate for your consideration, priced nicely at 899$. I used to own the now discontinued 550's and let me tell you they put a huge on my face every time I fired'em up.

You can't go wrong with any speaker mentioned thus far, all superb performers. All you have to do now is find out which one suites your tastes.


JR

You might want to check out frapper.com to see if they have a community over there and get an audition with someone in your area.

If you have not already done so, you might check this thread at the Axiom forum to see if there is anyone near you willing to demo their speakers. If you don't see anyone, contact Axiom's Amie via PM or email.

amie@axiomaudio.com

Often, she can hook you up with someone who is not on the list. I do not know if Swan owners have a similar list or not.

I have owned the M60s and liked them very much. Though I've not heard them, I have heard good things about Swans. I suspect that, while you might prefer one over the other, you'd be happy with either. Good hunting!

I don't think their are a lot of Swan owners around here.

I've never heard swans, but have been a very happy Axiom owner for over 3 years now.


http://porterplex.googlepages.com

Swans were VERY popular around here, but they were supplanted by Rockets, which of course EVERYONE knows about! The AVS archives should have the many Swan threads, which can make an interesting read. The short take is that Swans are HUGE in many parts of the world, but limited availability here has made them less known than they should be. Their popular lines are characterized by rich rosewood finishes, dynamic, well balanced sound and a smooth top end courtesy of the silk dome tweeters. Metal tweeters are fine, but many prefer the sound of silk. To each his own, but i love my Swans!

As Swan's US importer for Internet-direct distribution, I might have a few points the OP (and others) could find clarifying.

I think it's safe to say that Swan are made by the largest vertical design, engineering, and manufacturing brand in the usual ID channels, probably by many times over. This is a ~$9-figure firm, far and away the largest in their sector; they naturally house an entire complex of manufacturing spaces with teams of engineers, all under they direction. Swan does not OEM extensively and the Swan products at TAI are exclusives. I know I'm more comfortable with that as my asset on my customer's behalf than some of the alternatives...

Please note that TAI (my ID outlet) is not Swan HK/International or Swan US, the latter based as retail space in LA. Swan HK/Int continues to acquire substantial added real estate, capacity, and resources, and at TAI, we're enjoying a number of the advancements those acquisitions have enabled already. TAI provides sales, service, support, and warranty for the models we carry.

Yes, Swan models have been emulated, but they've never been replaced. In my humble view, they've not been equaled.

There are, I believe, seven current models in the ID channel bearing the "X.2" suffix, and another nine with the original "X.1" suffix (with nine more cosmetic variants, otherise identical in every way.)

My site carries both lines plus another dozen or so other models including the M200 self-powered monitor and its successors. TAI supplies OZ Home Theater with all of the original models in the X.1 series -- Steve is a real champ, an AVS veteran, and we're happy to be working together.

I also import select Swan models for our friends at New Egg.com, the largest PC peripherals reseller, I believe, there is. Browsers should find that prices from both OZ and NE are...interesting.

Our newest Swan models feature all hand-laid bentwood construction (and include teardrop stern ends) and a proprietary driver series I specified just for the series. I believe this distinguishes these items in more than one way. Detailed info is available at the TAI site, which was completely remade about a month ago. I'll be adding content nearly daily from this point forward.

As FPB notes, Swans is a highly successful ID channel player and we're happy to be a part of that team. I've been working with Swan since 1994 myself, and if I can help in any way, I'd be pleased.

usp1, feel free to call us on 800-992-7252 to review your options -- we understand completely about auditioning, freight concerns, and trade-ups. There's also a link here that may help.

ive owned the swans 6.1s since december.....they sound great for the price...i had a pair of infinity rs5 towers before them...no comparison in sound.....the swans image very nicely....when i close my eyes and sit in the sweet spot you would swear that the center channell is on.......ive had to get up more than once to check it......

the sweet spot is also much bigger with the swans.....im assuming thats from the top mounted tweeter in its own housing....

USP1,

I just posted a response to someone else about the Swans

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post10634621
So I won't repeat it all here. But I echo what the others have said here about them. Great value and superb sound, image, bass, etc. I particularly appreciate the wide dispersion (i.e. the sweet spot is not narrow). I'm always moving around a lot, and can't have my chair always in the center either.

If you can swing it, I HIGHLY recommend getting two sets (ala Swan and Aperion) to audition. It's the only way you'll wind up really happy (you may wonder otherwise). I did this, and might just wind up keeping both sets! (That is what they call Audio Hobby Addictive Disorder - AHAD ). However, if you don't, and pick the Swans, I can say you probably won't wonder much if at all, you'll be too busy listening!

Cheers!
-jason

I have owned swans now for about four years. I have 6.1s, C3, and 4.1s for the rear speakers. I am very happy with my purchase, they just plain sound and look good. I do not often see posts on AVS about swans unless someone asks specifically. I can not remember any negative comments. Most of the posts in this thread mention the same few brands that all the other $1000-$1500 good deal ID speaker threads mention: There are a few stand-out speakers in this price range, and Swans are one of them. Buy any of them, and you will very likely be satisfied. Compare two at the same time in your home, and you will pick the favorite between the two.

In my case, I chose swan. The rosewood/piano lacquer look is very rich and luxurious. The sound is most excellent for the price. I was used to listening to a borrowed pair of $5000 speakers before purchasing, and I think the swans are just as good.

I have the Swan 2.1 the C3 and the R2s for my rears. I have had them for 3 years. Before that I felt the constant need to upgrade. For my needs I really can't imagine finding a better speaker to fit into my system. They are also very nice looking speakers. I don't feel the pictures on any of the websites quite do them justice.