Trying to get a straight answer from Onkyo is tough. Heard there was severe current limiting with older Onkyo amps driving 4 ohms. Anyone have experience with this or similar late model Onkyo?

for 4 ohm loads people tend to prefer Denon or Harman Kardon.

what does the product manual say on the Onkyo website? that may give you a better answer.

This review has a 601 (which I have) pushing M80s with no problems at all. BigJohn as the 701 and M60s with no problems as well.
I can only guestimate, but I think you would most likely be fine with the 801 and M80s. The one caveat here is that you want to ensure the 801 has plenty of airflow as they tend to run fairly warm. Mine has never been too hot to touch (I have the M22s, VP150, and QS8s), but it has gotten toasty after a few hours of Lord of the Rings and others like it.

james

M60's would be fine as they are 8ohm

it's the 4ohm load that sometimes poses a problem.

if the receiver has a 4ohm setting it would be better

Rod, I will be getting the M80's and have decided to not take the chance of powering them with my 2.5 yr old Onkyo TX-DS797. I will be getting a NAD T773 which I have been assured is more then willing to push the M80 bad boys.

I have the ONKYO TX-SR800 and have been running it with 80's, VP150, QS8's and M22 rears. It is usually in all channel stereo and has been set like this for about 1.5 years. The receiver will automatically switch to Dolby or THX depending on the input signal so I don't change things around too much. It has not even sputtered once and it has been at very high volumes at times. I don't think the newer version would be any less dependable with four ohm speakers than mine??