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Ok I’m sure I am starting to get on some of you guys last nerves but please bear with me. I will make a purchase within a week so I am getting kind of antsy.

My latest endeavor or new questions for the Guru's. Today, due the advice of one of my friends, I went back to a local audio video shop and auditioned some more speakers. My friend tells me that I should give some serious consideration to getting smaller monitor speakers (i.e.…M22’s or Studio 40’s). So I went to listen to the paradigm studio 40 speakers. I was also able to do a side by side comparison with the studio 60’s. I must say that I was very impressed with the 40’s and even liked them better than the 60’s although they were not being driven by the same system. They were in the same room but were on completely different set ups that I did not really pay much attention to (probably a mistake on my part). But anyway they really sounded great.

My items I would like to see discussed on here are as follows:
1. How do the M22’s compare to the 40’s in soundstage and overall performance. No comparison in price…the 40’s were listed at $1200/pair while the 22’s are $440/pair.
2. My room is 18’ x 25’…will the M22 fill my room up with enough sound?

All comments are welcome and appreciated so lets have it guys!

By the way…something that strikes me as kind of odd. The whole time I was in the shop and really enjoying the Paradigms I was thinking that if the 40’s sounded this good I cant imagine how good the 22’s will sound. Funny thing is that I seem to have an allegiance with Axiom and I have never heard the first speaker. I just feel like I have because of all the excellent reviews and comments from you guys on this board. For what that worth…

The Studio 40s are really nice speakers. Everyone I know who has auditioned them said good things about them. The 40s and the 100s are the best of the Studio line IMO.

Roughly speaking, the M22s (in the same room) would be a bit more forward, comparable soundstage (I think it would be tough to pick a winner), with quite a bit less output in the bass below 80 Hz.

I would be real happy with Studio 40s. If I had to choose I would put them slightly ahead of M22s although I have never had a chance to directly compare them. The M22s are far ahead of the Monitor 7s. Two of my friends now have started looking at Monitor 3/5/7, made the mistake of listening to Studio 40s, become unhappy with the Monitor speakers, and ended up buying M22s. I was really hoping one of them would get the Paradigms so I could A/B them

If you like the Studio 40s then you will like the M22s, assuming you have a sub. If you are running "stereo only" without a sub then you probably would miss the deeper bass of the Studio 40s.

For the price of the Studio 40’s you could get some M60s or FO M80s.I'm sure you would be happier with either of the Axiom floorstanding speaker.

I hate to throw a curve in things but if you like the Studio 40's which I have owned, you owe it to yourself to try a set of M50's which I have also owned.

To me at least the M22's and the Studio 40's sound nothing at all alike........but that is me. The Studio 40's and the M50's however are a little closer match.

Good point...

Regarding room size, 18x25 is a bit big for bookshelf speakers if you are using the entire area for your HT setup, ie if you are sitting well back from the speakers. Then again, as long as you are listening at reasonable volumes M22s (or Studio 40s) should be fine.

If you like to play "loud" then you will probably be happier with floorstanding speakers. To be precise, M22s and a good sub in an 18x25 room should be OK at "loud" but not at "LOUD"

>>The Studio 40's and the M50's however are a little closer match.

Makes sense. I have not heard M50s nor have I had a chance to directly A/B the Studio 40s against the Axioms. M50s would also do a better job of filling an 18x25 room.

The M22s would probably sound a bit more "forward" (vocals etc.. would sound a tiny bit closer/clearer/louder) than the Studio 40s while the M50s would be more like the Studio 40s both in terms of overall sound and low-end response.

I agree with wid and NH.
For the price of the Studios, the M50s or M60s are worth listening to.
The M60s will have a greater midrange clarity based on what i've heard with the M40s, but both are excellent speakers.
You might want to consider going to a full tower since your room is rather large, unless of course you plan on enjoying the sound in a smaller area, say only a 12x14 area in front of the setup (approximately).

I actually auditioned the Monitor line (5 & 7) and agree w/ most here, the M22's will be better. The Studios are probably a better comparison, but at a higher cost.

I use my M22s in my room, which some may consider large for them. It's 18x27 w/ hardwood floors. I'm happy w/ them, I think they handle my needs fine. Yeah, I'd like the M60s, and will probably upgrade at some point, but the M22's w/ a VTF2 sub are a great setup for me.

Thanks for the replys guys. I have been thinking of getting the M60's all along but at the advice of my friend I went to listen to the smaller Paradigms. I have been listening to Paradigms because alot of people have compared them with Axioms and I havent been able to listen to Axioms.

I will be using a sub but I still think I will go with the 60's. And from what you guys are saying...If I was impressed with the Studio 40's I should be really blown away with the M60, 4-QS8's, VP150, and SVS PB12-Plus/2.

And not to forget the NAD T773

Sounds like a GREAT setup that you've got there. Or will have. . .
I would have to agree with going with M60's over the 22's. I started with 22's and quite enjoyed them in my 20X15 with vaulted ceiling listening room. But I felt like something was missing. I had a great sub going with them but there was just some depth that was not there. After speaking with Axiom and discussing my situation, 60's were recommended. MMMM MMM MMMMMM, just what I was looking for. The first track on the first disc that I played I was like. .. . eureka! that is what I was looking for. I think with a room your size you might have somewhat of the same experience.

Oh and did I mention that the 60's are wonderful.