Hi fullerms,
The reason given is misguided. The "nuances" and finer details of deep bass frequencies are in fact reproduced by the upper bass and midrange drivers in a satellite speaker.
For example, an acoustic bass used in jazz and orchestral music has a lowest frequency of about 40 Hz, and the subwoofer will reproduce that with great authority, but the "plucking" snapping sound and most of the harmonics occur in the upper bass and midrange, well above the subwoofer's range, will be handled by the satellite bookshelf speakers. In most systems you set the crossover frequency at or near 80 Hz, so bass energy above that frequency (the nuances and finer details. . .) is handled by the satellite speakers.
If a satellite speaker is very small with limited bass output below 200 Hz, then you may have a hole in the response, but Axiom's bookshelf speakers (M22, M2, M3) all have smooth output to the crossover region of 80 Hz and lower.
Using a floorstanding main speakers will often give you a "fuller" upper bass sound, which you may prefer, but in terms of realistic reproduction of big orchestral works, piano, jazz, etc in moderate-sized to smaller rooms, I find a good subwoofer like Axiom's EP350 or EP500 coupled to a pair of M22s lack nothing in terms of refinement and nuances. Larger floorstanders of course will play louder in bigger rooms and at very high volume than bookshelf speakers. Consider those factors as well.
The M50s are quite nice somewhat "laid-back" (i.e. not quite as detailed) speakers, with excellent bass and not quite as revealing treble compared to the M22s.
Regards,
Alan
