Been beaten several times and been away for a while but wondering why people put M2i instead of M22ti for rear surround?
I was planning on this system for my step father:
25x25 room
Amp: Denon 3805
Front: M80's
Center: VP150
Rear: QS8
Rear surround: M22ti -- or M2 -- or QS8 ?
He's listening 85% HT, 15% Music but when he listens to music, he's psycho and listen to it very loud in 7 channels. Well balanced system or he should really consider a stereo amp for driving the M80's.
I use an Outlaw Audio 5 channel (750) amp and two M200's.
I have an Integra DTR 7.4 as a pre / pro. I purchased the amps because I love insane distortion free sound.
I plan on buying the M22's for the rears. Right now I'm running a 5.1 system. The QS8's are perfect. I think my system is overkill but It's like insurance, it there when I need it.
To answer your question:
It's better to over power than under power. The M80's are very modest in the power-handling department.
The denon guy's could answer your question better than I can.I do know that they are built to last. That's about it.
I'm a firm believer in external amplification. I always have been. Just my preference.
I don't think there's anything wrong with using M22s as rear surrounds. Whatfurrer runs the 22s as his side surrounds and is very happy with them.
I think the reason the M2s are mentioned more often as rear surrounds is because there really isn't that much rear surround information that requires more than the M2 can deliver.
With that ratio of HT to music, you might consider going with QS8s as the rear surrounds. One reason direct radiating speakers, like the M2s and M22s, are often mentioned as rear surrounds, is that direct radiating speakers will serve you better when listening to music in 5.1, particularly when listening to SACD and DVD-A disks. If your stepfather is not interested in that, then the 4 QS8s in the rear would give him a really immersing HT experience.
I recommend you run this question by one of the folks at Axiom. They'd be more than happy to advise you on what to do, and why. It would be well worth the cost of the phone call.