Reviewer: Edgar Kramer
Financial interests: click here
Source: AMR CD-77.1 CD player, MacBook with BitPerfect player and AIFF files 
Preamplifier: Supratek Reference DHT with Bendix rectifier tube; NuForce P9, NuForce P20 
Amplifier: NuForce Reference 18 monoblocks; Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblocks; Odyssey Audio Kismet Reference monoblocks 
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia 
Cables digital: Cerious Technologies; Harmonic Technology Magic; NuForce digital cables; ZenSati Seraphim; analog interconnects - Bocchino Audio Morning Glory; Cable Research Laboratory (CRL) Gold with Bocchino XLR and RCA; Cerious Technologies; DanA Digital Reference Silver; Eichmann eXpress 6 Series 2; ETI Quiessence Reference; Exakte IC; Harmonic Technology Magic and Truthlink Silver; MIT Giant Killer MPC; NuForce IC-700; PSC Audio Monolith AG; PSC Audio Pristine R30 Ribbon; ZenSati Seraphim RCA & XLR; speaker cables - Cerious Technologies; ETI Quiessence Reference; Exakte speaker cable; MIT Giant Killer GK-1 loudspeaker cables; NuForce SC-700; ZenSati Seraphim; power cords - Cerious Technologies AC; Eichmann eXpress AC power cables; Exakte AC; Harmonic Technology Fantasy; PSC Gold Power MKII; Shunyata Research Diamondback 
Stands: SGR Signature racks 
Sundry accessories: Burson Audio Buffer, Bright Star Audio IsoRock Reference 3 and BSA IsoNode feet; Bocchino Audio Mecado isolation diodes; Black Diamond Racing cones; Stillpoints ERS paper in strategic positions, Shakti On Lines; Densen & IsoTek CD demagnetizer; Auric Illuminator CD Treatment 
Room size: 6.4m wide by 7.1m long with high ceiling and narrow cavity behind speakers. Room has been professionally measured and found to be extraordinarily flat and neutral 
Review component retail: US$2’500/pr


Some Australians would affirm it. The Golden Age of Australian audio design lasted roughly the decade from between the late 1980s through the late ‘90s. Companies like Duntech, ME, Orpheus, Sonique and Richter Acoustics among others (Halcro came to notoriety somewhat later in the very early 2000s) were extremely successful on the home front whilst many made substantial inroads in the global market. Amongst the successes was a small loudspeaker design outfit headed by passionate music lover and musician John Reilly called Axis Loudspeakers. The company offered a comprehensive line-up of superb sounding reasonably priced speakers that met with resounding local success (Australian Loudspeaker Manufacturer of the Year 1996 and the recipient of a front cover with Australian Hi-Fi magazine with the byline "Best design in Oz?") as well as in parts of Asia.


There were stand mounts and floorstanders as well as HTLS, a dedicated home theatre range. The most north-pointing product of the Axis compass then was the decidedly upmarket LS88, a high-end multi-way with beautiful aesthetics. Axis speakers were available via a wide network of Australian retailers and the company made some progress in certain overseas markets. Then, quite suddenly it seemed, Axis Loudspeakers evaporated from the local scene.


As it turns out, the company in fact had only gone dormant whilst Reilly regrouped, established a new factory and engaged a designer to team up with. The new partner is none other than Brad Serhan, one of Australia’s leading lights in loudspeaker design. As a now freelance engineer, Serhan was single-handedly responsible for an astonishing number of designs, from budget to high-end, for a whole swag of Australian audio companies. Serhan’s finely developed craft in conjunction with long-term audiophile and musician Reilly and the latter’s extensive manufacturing and retailing experience make for a killer doppelgänger team. Not to mention the fact that over decades—even as friendly competitors—these two affable gentlemen have evolved heightened listening and speaker tuning skills.