I have had my M22Ti's for about three weeks now. I really like them but find that I can go with M60's financially if they'll sound better. I see the M60's have a pair of 6.5" woofers and a 5.25" midrange. If it is at all possible to explain in words, where will I hear the difference between these two?

I heard someone claim to be quite surprised at how similar the M22's and M80's sounded when played back to back. If going from M22's to M60's is one of those small incremental improvements, then I'll save the cash for a while. I intend to replace my X1 with a new 720P LCD PJ and could use this upgrade money towards that purchase. That change in PJ's should be huge but if the change in sound I get by going to M60's would be huge or at least pretty big, maybe I'll make the move.

I suppose I could order them and send whichever ones I like better back. Good god, I have upgraditis . . .

Greg

Greg, forgive me, but are you using a sub? If not, the change will make a very positive difference.

spiffnme pursued that exact path and is pleased with the results.

For my own part, I have always loved my M60's and think that a big floorstanding speaker tends to sound bigger and fuller than even a good bookshelf like the M22. Opinions vary.

But scratching that itch now would be quite satisfying, no?

A lot of us have tried to explain the different sound between small and large Axioms (or any other pair of speakers from the same line) with very little success. The sound is "bigger and more open" but that's as far as we get.

The main thing, I think, is that the larger speakers (with more/bigger drivers) can play at higher SPLs before they start to compress the sound levels. This is pretty apparent with M2s -- if you turn up the volume to "louder than you should be playing M2s" you don't get obvious distortion, but the sound seems to stop getting louder as you keep turning up the volume. The M60s just keep getting louder, at least at any volume I care to play them at.

If you have a good sub, a reasonable sized room, sit reasonably close to the speakers (say <10 feet) and don't play real loud then IMO you won't see a lot of difference between 22s and 60s. To the extent that any of the above are not true, you would benefit more from 60s over 22s.

Disclaimer -- I have not heard M22s but I own M2s and M60s.

Hey Greg....

I think you would find the M60's will produce better bass across the board for all situations. The M22's sound great, especially when you throw a sub into the equation, and they do a good job in the bass category as well.

I'm pretty sure you will hear much improved overall blend of bass with the 60's throughout the room. If you like to crank it up from time to time, when that favorite song comes on, you will be amazed at how loud and clear the 60's will go...

Well... that is always a dilema, at least for stereo: two booshelves with a sub, or just two floorstanders!!!??? If you have a HT, then the sub is necessary, and I would assume that M22s would be just fine. However, I never owned bookshelves and I cannot tell you anything from my experience.

Two 60's and a sub work nice also for music listening

I am using a pretty good Atlantic Technology 262PBM subwoofer. At higher levels, everything sounds very good. At lower levels, I can't help but wonder if the M60's would have a little more punch than the M22's.

Here is one thing I just thought of. My current receiver has its crossover set to 100hz. Even with M60's I would probably want to set my speakers to "small" right? If I do that, will the M60's sound any different than the M22's? I could get a new receiver with a custom set crossover to 80hz but now I am looking at spending an additional $1,000 as opposed to "just" $500.

One problem I think we all face is that we get used to just how good our systems really sound. If one is the least bit paranoid it is easy to think a buddies $250 Klipsch RB3's with 6.5" drivers had more punch than my M22's. Of course I heard his speakers over a year ago and what I hear as punch may have been from the subwoofer and if I watched that same movie on my M22's with my sub, my setup may sound way better. Of course HellBoy was about the worst movie I have seen and don't care to even attempt an A-B comparison.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Greg

I may.... I will have the chance to try this option in March or April (crossing the fingers).... I already know I am getting QS8s and VP150, but I will definitely have questions for you guys when it comes to the subwoofer (and probably the receiver).

Hello Greg,

I was in the same situation as you 2 weeks ago...(M22 -->M60.)

Finally I just did the upgrade and I got my new M60ti last week, I can tell you that there's a slight difference but if you have a good Sub it's almost impossible to notice it when you're watching movies at moderate volume. (Between -30 and - 20db.)

For music it's another story, with the M22ti I was unable to use the Pure Direct because of the lack of bass but now I can with the M60ti, with my Yamaha RX-V657 it's like day and night when you compare Pure Direct VS Stereo. (even if all the settings are shut down, i.e Tone, EQ.)

Patrick

Patrick,
I'm curious what you mean about the difference between pure direct and stereo. I also have the 657 and actually asked that question on a different thread and got some good feedback. What did you mean about the difference being night and day. The difference I notice is my sub is off on pure and on in stereo.

Charlie

cgolf,

When I first hooked my new M60ti to the RX-V657 I thought that the Stereo mode was better than the Pure Direct mode but after some calibration sessions and after putting a rug on my hardwood floor everything sound better on the Pure Direct mode. (even if my HSU Sub is not working.)

I have also played a lot with the distances from the back wall and they are a bit toed in.

To describe you the feeling that I have when I back and forth between Stereo (with or without sub.) and Pure Direct, with the Stereo mode I have the impression that the sound is coming from the left and right speakers while in Pure Direct I have the impression that the band is with me in my room (very impressive in the dark!.) In the next few days I'll try to plug the M60ti through the Sub to see if I prefer with or without sub for the Pure Direct mode.

I'm listening to a lot of progressive bands like Porcupine Tree, Rush, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater,Opeth and each times I'm floored by the quality of the M60ti !

Patrick