Same here PapaJim.
About 9 months ago I got the upgrade itch. First I got a new receiver. I went from an open box sony w/o a remote to an Onkyo 601 (on sale for about $350 total). I then decided I need new speakers. So I read up on a whole slew of speakers, most of which were waaaay outside my price range.
I kept seeing two names that fit my price range. Axiom and Ascend. I auditioned the Axioms after reading a lot of positive reviews on hometheaterforum, avsforum, thespot, hometheaterspot. Even the negative reviews were more about personal preference than true shortcomings (at least as I read it). I had intended to also audition the Ascends, but they are just plain butt ugly and I am just metro enough to care. Plus I loved my M22s from the get go so I was hooked and stupidly happy.
I've also been just waiting for my younger brother to get his own place so I have an excuse to buy him his first pair. Same goes for the youngest sister.
jr
prostelitizing convert not salesman