Troy as you have mentioned the Studio 100's are a better all around speaker than the M80's, IMO, but not $1000 or more worth. This is where you have to compromise, unless you are willing to spend BIG bucks to get better than the M80s, you have to buy the M80s.
I think that is about right. Past a certain point its a game of diminishing returns. I have seen descriptions of the Paradigm Sigs vs the Studio 100s and they are described as a smoother more refined sound, particularly on the highs. Thats a lot of cash for audio nirvana though.
I am curious why you turn your sub off for music? On a lot of tracks, there is not enough bass to notice the difference between using a sub and not, but for stuff like pipe organ and deep synth the sub adds noticably.
For the size and price, the M80 does deliver an impressive amount of bass though.
