Axiom Audio founder and chief designer Ian Colquhoun today announced the Axiom M2i, a much-improved new 2-way speaker.

The new compact ported system uses a 5 1/4-inch aluminum-cone woofer in a Vortex-Ported enclosure and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter with a 1-inch voice-coil, giving the M2i better power handling and dispersion than its predecessor M2.

The M2i now more closely matches the neutrality and power-handling capabilities of Axiom's more expensive M22ti bookshelf and M60/M80 floorstanding speakers

“The larger voice-coil tweeter in the new M2i lets us cross over at 2,700 Hz, a much lower frequency than the old tweeter could handle,” explains Ian Colquhoun.

“By lowering the crossover frequency to 2,700 Hz, the new M2i has much more linear performance in the critical midrange region. As a result, you get much-improved imaging and much better off-axis response. That gives you an improved midrange, so your vocals are better, with a better soundstage,” adds Mr. Colquhoun.

Initially engineered at the National Research Council acoustics lab in Ottawa and refined at Colquhoun Audio Laboratories in Dwight, the new M2i improves on the original by virtue of its exceptionally smooth midrange, upper-bass and upper-treble response.

The M2i’s tonal balance now more closely resembles the neutrality and power-handling capabilities of its more expensive siblings, the top-selling M22ti and the M60 and M80 floorstanding Axiom speakers, which all use the same 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter, mated with a 5 and one-quarter inch aluminum cone woofer.

The M2i embodies all the traits of a compact speaker developed and scientifically listener-tested at the Canadian National Research Council’s Acoustics lab. Frequency response is specified at 70 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-3 dB, with in-room sensitivity pegged at 91 dB SPL/1w/1m. In a modest-size room or paired with a subwoofer, the M2i produces smooth, high-fidelity sound of unprecedented accuracy. The M2i’s wedge-shaped, asymmetrical Anti-Standing-Wave cabinet eliminates internal resonances, and video shielding prevents TV interference.

The M2i is available in Black Oak, Light Maple, or Boston Cherry. It will sell through Axiom’s Web site at $255 (US) per pair; and through Axiom’s Canadian retail network at $390 (CDN) per pair.

Axiom Audio M2i Specifications

• Max Amp Power: 150 Watts
• Min Amp Power: 15 Watts
• Freq Resp +/-3dB (Hz): 70-22K
• Freq Resp +3dB/ -9dB (Hz): 60-22K
• SPL in Room 1w/1m: 91 dB
• Anechoic SPL 1w/1m: 87 dB
• Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Woofer: 5.25″
• Tweeter: 1″ hybrid
• Dimensions (in.)(HxWxD): 11.25 x 7.5 x 8.5
• Weight: 11 lbs per

Axiom Audio Web Site