The Axos is the cheapest way into a new Henri Selmer Paris saxophone. Launched in 2015, it sits below the Super Action 80 Série II, Signature and Supreme in Selmer’s current alto catalogue, and Selmer itself describes it as an entry-level professional model. The question for most buyers is simple: is it worth the premium over a Yamaha YAS-62 or a Yanagisawa A-WO1, and how far is it from a real Série II?
This is an analysis based on manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published player feedback, not a hands-on test.
Selmer Axos at a glance
- Key and range: Eb alto, low Bb to high F#
- Finish: Selmer’s own “Axos gold lacquer”
- Pads: leather with riveted metal resonators
- Thumb supports: synthetic, left and right hand, the right one multidirectional
- Supplied with: Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece, ligature, cap, Axos case and care kit
- Warranty: 2 years from Selmer on new instruments
- Made in: Selmer states the Axos is made in its Mantes-la-Ville workshops in France
Selmer’s own product page presents it as made in Mantes-la-Ville, combining traditional craftsmanship with newer industrial techniques.
Price: where the Axos sits
Selmer’s French list price for the Axos alto is €3,690 (selmer.fr, 09/2026), and Thomann Germany listed it at about €3,189 at the same date. We did not verify a current UK price for this article, so check current price with UK dealers.
For context, Selmer’s list prices put the SA80 Série II alto from €5,990, the Signature from €6,790 and the Supreme from €8,590. In other words, the Axos costs roughly €2,300 less than the cheapest Série II at list price. There is also an Axos tenor, listed at €4,690 by Selmer and about €4,098 at Thomann (09/2026).
Design: what Selmer aimed for
Selmer positions the Axos as an instrument offering “timbre and roundness with ease”, with keywork adapted for playing comfort and an emphasis on mechanical reliability. It is explicitly aimed at both beginners and more experienced musicians. That is an unusual brief for a professional brand: the Axos is meant to be the first “real” Selmer for an advancing student, and a dependable second instrument for a professional.
The supplied S80 C* is Selmer’s classic mouthpiece, with a 1.55 mm tip opening. It is a sensible, fairly closed starting point for classical and general playing. Jazz players will probably want to change it, as with most instruments in this bracket. Our guide to saxophone mouthpieces and reeds explains how tip opening and reed strength interact.
Axos vs Yamaha YAS-62
The YAS-62 is the obvious rival: Yamaha’s professional alto and the step above the intermediate YAS-480 (see our YAS-480 review). Thomann Germany listed the YAS-62 04 at about €2,798 in 09/2026, so it is several hundred euros cheaper than the Axos in the same shop.
The choice is largely about sound concept and feel rather than a spec sheet. Opinions among players are divided, and our Yamaha vs Selmer debate page sums up how saxophonists see the two families. The only reliable way to decide is to play both with your own mouthpiece.
Axos vs Yanagisawa A-WO1
The A-WO1 is Yanagisawa’s entry professional alto, in clear-lacquered brass. At Thomann Germany it was about €3,259 in 09/2026, so it is priced very close to the Axos. Yanagisawa is notable for offering bronze and silver versions higher up the range. If you are considering the Japanese maker, read Yanagisawa brass vs bronze first: the A-WO2 is the bronze version of the same series.
Axos vs Selmer SA80 Série II
The Super Action 80 Série II is Selmer’s long-running professional reference, introduced in the mid-1980s and still in the catalogue. It is offered in several finishes (lacquered, silver-plated, black, brushed, gold-plated) and ships with an S80 C* mouthpiece and a Selmer Light case. Selmer places it as a versatile, flexible mid-range professional instrument.
The Axos is a separate model in the catalogue, with its own finish and keywork design, not simply a lower-priced Série II. If your budget can reach the Série II, try both. If it cannot, the Axos is the way to own a current Selmer Paris alto at a lower price.
Comparison table
| Model | Level (maker’s positioning) | Body | Supplied mouthpiece | UK price (09/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selmer Paris Axos | Entry professional | Gold-lacquered brass | Selmer S80 C* | check current price |
| Yamaha YAS-62 | Professional | Lacquered brass | – | check current price |
| Yanagisawa A-WO1 | Entry professional | Clear-lacquered brass | – | check current price |
| Yanagisawa A-WO2 | Professional | Bronze, clear lacquer | Yanagisawa ebonite | about £3,555 (Thomann UK) |
| Selmer Paris SA80 Série II | Mid-range professional | Brass, several finishes | Selmer S80 C* | check current price |
| Selmer Paris Supreme | Top professional | Several finishes | Selmer Concept | about £6,399 (Thomann UK) |
Who should consider the Axos?
- Advancing students moving on from a YAS-280 or similar who want a professional French instrument without Série II money.
- Doublers and working players who need a reliable alto as a second instrument.
- Classical players for whom the Selmer sound concept and the supplied S80 C* are a natural fit.
It makes less sense if your budget is strict: the YAS-62 costs less at the same retailer, and a used professional alto can be cheaper still, provided it is checked by a technician. For a wider view of the options at each level, see our alto saxophone buying guide.
Verdict
The Selmer Axos is a genuine Henri Selmer Paris alto at the lowest price the brand offers, with a sensible specification and a full kit in the box. It competes head-on with the Yanagisawa A-WO1 on price and costs more than the Yamaha YAS-62. None of them is objectively “better”: the right choice depends on the sound and feel you prefer, which is why a side-by-side trial remains the best money you can spend before buying.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Selmer Axos launched?
Selmer launched the Axos in 2015 as its entry-level professional saxophone.
What mouthpiece comes with the Selmer Axos?
The Axos alto ships with a Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece, ligature and cap, plus an Axos case and a care kit.
Where is the Selmer Axos made?
Selmer states it is made in its Mantes-la-Ville workshops in France.
Is the Axos cheaper than a Selmer Série II?
Yes. Selmer lists the Axos alto at 3,690 euros and the SA80 Série II alto from 5,990 euros in France (09/2026).
Sources — Henri Selmer Paris: Axos alto, Henri Selmer Paris: alto collection, Thomann: Selmer Axos alto, Thomann UK: Yanagisawa A-WO2.
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