Packaging
The Effect Audio Axiom comes with a very small and compact box, which was expected since Effect Audio is sensitive about the footprint here. However, from a certain point of view, what you get for the price is nothing more than a few ear tips. Yes, the concept is exactly fulfilled with this choice but some people might get upset.
You don’t get any carrying cases or information brochures. Just the earpieces, a few tips, and a screwdriver for swapping the Modular Unit. To EA’s credit, I started using a few of my unused IEM carrying cases with the Axiom. I didn’t need a carrying case in the first place. But again, if someone is going to get the Axiom without any audiophile purchase history, then this is not very appealing.
On the other hand, the unboxing experience of the Effect Audio Axiom is very good overall. The outer paper is very easy to open, and the patterns on the black cardboard box are very cool.
When you open that box you’re welcomed with a very nice smell too. Turns out, it was an exotic type of tea which you can actually drink with hot water! I’ve never experienced a perfume-like experience with any product before this one, let alone finding a hidden tea inside the box. A very cool touch from EA. Considering the footprint of the box, the experience when opening it is very satisfying.
Design
The design of the Axiom is quite industrial, except the faceplate area which has a marble-like texture with silver-coloured edges. I believe the Axiom XP will have golden edges around the faceplate and the rest will be the same. Anyways, I think the design is quite good and very authentic, as it looks nothing like a conventional IEM. The Axiom logo in particular looks great with the marble faceplate.
Apart from the face-plate design, the rest of the IEM looks a bit ordinary. For a modular IEM though, EA has managed to put their touch to it for separating it from the crowd. Overall I liked the design for a modular product but many IEMs look cooler and better. The Axiom looks cool but not spectacular.
Build Quality
The IEM has high-quality materials and it’s put together very well. Except for the MU, the chassis feels rigid and monoblock. It’s not a monoblock chassis on its own but feels that way with excellent assembly.
The MU unit itself sits well on the chassis with its screw. When changing the modules the design feels flimsy a bit. But once you attach the modules they’re very robust.
The nozzles and nozzle filters are also very good. Overall the Axiom is very well built. I can’t bring up any flaws regarding its construction, which consist of titanium & aluminium.
Fit
The fit of the Effect Audio Axiom is a bit on the fence for me. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but the seal and isolation are not very good in my experience. However, take my comment with a grain of salt. Fit is a personal and subjective topic. I prefer deeper insertion with my IEMs and the Axiom’s nozzle is shorter than most. I experience this issue with similar short-nozzled IEM models from time to time.
The supplied ear tips are very standard with fair quality. And as if the Axiom is not short-nozzled enough, the supplied tips are quite short as well. So you can’t get a deep seal. For enhancing the experience I recommend you to check out your ear tip collection and start tip-rolling. In my case, I’ve had good results with SpinFit tips, as well as Final Audio ones and some foams. You can try JVC Spiral Dot tips as well.
Tip-Rolling
Aside from that, the ear tips affect the sound too, especially with the black coloured standard MU module. The supplied ear tips are quite balanced but when I use Final Audio tips, the bass hits deeper with more rumble. When I switch to a larger diameter like in the JVC tips, the presentation is more balanced again. SpinFit tips are quite ideal in that regard, as they both provide a deep seal and a balanced sound.
So you may have to perform a few tests for yourself to find the best fit and sound. If the supplied tips work fine for you, then you’re lucky. You don’t need to try other tips. I heavily recommend the SpinFits though, even if they compromise the isolation.
Page 1: About Effect Audio and Axiom
Page 3: Sound
Page 4: Pairings, Comparisons, Conclusion
Steve
Excellent review, I love your discussion of the mids between black and silver. I have the Axiom, and the silver module is in the mail, so I am looking forward to it. But with the black module, It sounds good on so many levels, but I just can’t get comfortable with the sound. Your explanations helped me a lot to figure out what I was hearing!