I'm very interested in the M 22's, but i can't audition them from california. I don't want to spend $100-$150 to ship them back if I dont like them. So, after doing a lot of reading/listening I understand that the low end of the M22's is weak and you really need a subwoofer. I was told that my old KEF's, for example, have a much better base response. If i have to buy a subwoofer I'm concerned that it sort of cancels out the super bargin price of these speakers. But maybe not - am i asking way too much of a $400US speaker. I'd really appreciate hearing from those of you who have not gone completely off your medication.

Dharm, just as we discussed a few months ago, I find that the M22s without a sub are fine for nearly all classical music(16hz organ pedals and 1812 cannons etc. excepted). Again, I think that you'd be satisfied, but I don't know what else to suggest other than to try it. There're some M22 owners in CA, but depends on where you are.

Thanks John, I'm in the san francisco area - know how i might find a willing owner? Re: lows, think Ring cycle, Das Rhiengold beginning. So if i do need the sub, do you think the 22' are still the choice?

Check the Questions and Comments board. The top thread has a list of people who have speakers in various areas.

Almost every bookshelf speaker needs a sub to fill out the lower frequencies. The Axiom M22s are honest. They don't try to do what they can't do well. They are clean, accurate and sonorous throughout their frequency response range. If you want a bookshelf, you're going to need a sub.

My M50s needed a sub. My M60 like Michaura M665s need a sub. A real full range speaker will cost you an arm and a leg and I assure you, it won't be a bookshelf speaker.

Okay, so I just played the Prelude to Das Rheingold(Solti, VPO, etc.)and see what you mean. Different recordings of it have different bass levels there, but a sub does help. Nevertheless when I played the M22s without my sub(as usual)I got a good sense of the weight of the music and was reasonably well satisfied.

Incidentally, since you're interested in vocal music, let me suggest an absolutely gorgeous Rachmaninoff Vocalise et al with Anna Moffo singing and Stokowski conducting on RCA 7831.

As Ken mentioned, check those willing to show off their Axioms. In particular, note that Peter(pmbuko)is in Oakland with M22s and SVS PB 1.

dharmatone,

You don't accept private messages, so I sent you an e-mail about auditioning my M22s. I live in Oakland.

John, Thanks for listening to DasR and for the recommendation. I'll check it out. I'm also going to make arrangements to hear the 22's in oakland.