The CM4 are excellent. It has great dynamics but you need a sub to fill in the low range. Maybe the M80 would only sound better. I personnaly would pick the CM4 over the M22. I have never tried Athenas. The CM4 would best any Energy or Paradigm. I would put any Axiom against Monitor Silvers. They sound very similar at half the Silvers price. I used to have the Silver S6. I actually enjoy the CM line of B&W and even like it better than the CMD series. Of course the Nautilus and Signature are better but you need loads of cash. The CM line has great dynamics and stage but does lack lower end. So get a good sub like SVS or HSU Research. The other speakers that I have demoed that I would pit against the CM4 at that price range are the Axiom M80, PMC DB1 or TB2, Dynaudio Contour 1.1 or 1.3, Traingle Antal
http://www.pmcloudspeaker.com/index2.html
http://www.triangle-fr.com/welcome-2002.htm
http://www.dynaudiousa.com/
If you like the B&W CM series really give PMC a listen. Its in the same ball park of sound. Good detail not too forward. The TB2 is a bookshelf like the CM2 but would give the CM4 a run for its money. It has more detail than the CM4 and less colouration. The DB1 is a tiny tiny monitor. I couldnt believe the bass coming out of those small puppies. And the detail and stage was still there.
Saturn
