What Mojo said. The M60s are too laid back compared to either the M80 or M11. The M60s are laid back enough to be called recessed, IMO. The M80 M11 difference is marginal at best, only noticeable on certain sounds and tracks.

I find it interesting that you find the M60 "laid back" while Alan @ Axiom says in another thread.

I like the looks of the Paradigms better. The two tone gray and black is just more eye catching. But since I leave my grills on so as not to allow any reflected light during movies/gaming it wouldn’t be a factor in a purchase decision.

My 'laid back' is in comparison to the M80 and M22. I know that Mojo and I both, during our session, while A/B switching, could easily tell which was which. The M80s were way more forward than the M60s. Maybe I am just being a little too critical of the differences, but when the M22 sounds closer to the M80(mids and uppers only) than the M60, something is audibly different about it. My wife picked up on the lack of forwardness in the M60s right away and she said she didn't like them until I paired them with the M22s, then she smiled.

I seem to remember some one saying the V1 M60s were in fact closer to the M80s sound than the V2, maybe that is what Alan is going by? Is it Alan?

I read what Alan said and I was very surprised. Now Alan does have a few years on me and Jason and ears aren't all the same...I'll just stop there so as not to cause a scene .

There is no question that the 60s and 80s are extremely easily discernible even to the untrained ear. I don't know if I mentioned it before but the 60s very much reminded me of my Bose 601s with the exception of crisper highs, better instrument localization and smoother bass. They were as laid back as the Boses. And that's not necessarily bad because I find that it's easier for me at least to get involved in the music if it's laid back a bit. But I am getting better at just relaxing rather than practicing forensic acoustics.

The M22 does definitely sound closer to the 80 than the 60. Jason likes the clarity of the 22s but I personally would rather have a bookshelf that has a sound closer to the 60s...and I'd certainly take the 80s' sound in a bookshelf if that was possible. I'll eventually need bookshelves for other areas of our house so I'm anxious to listen to M3s.

I continue to be astounded and mesmerized with the 80s. They sound so much better in my listening space than at General Audio. From now on, when I do listening tests, I'm going to try bringing the speakers to my place.

I've chatted with a few local places about this. The larger stores usually have a no questions return policy which makes things easy. The smaller more boutique stores actually want you to purchase the item, charged to a card, but is returnable.
It has to be in mint condition though or they will find some bogus charge for repairs or restocking fee to compensate for "their" wasted time if you brought it back for a full refund.

Absolutely i agree that if possible you should listen to the equipment in your own home. Having switched homes a few times now, i can attest to the difference in sound quality my favorite models have had in different locations.

I was quite happy to read this post as I had recently picked up a Monitor 11 v.5 system. I must admit I had balked at getting an Axiom 5.1 system due to the possible high return shipping costs on unheard speakers. I could get the Paradigms locally immediately, for less [$950 vice $980(M60) or $1300(M80)] especially since I loved the sound of them in the store. Still do actually. More and more each day. I must say they have reawakened my love of music (lulled by RCA HTiB and MP3s). I have since decided to use my new Room 2 capability with a pair of M3s (still waiting for Purolator) so that I can get into the Axiom sound. After spending over two grand on a system that works, $300 looks like chicken feed (yes, I am aware of the fact that the risk of a few hundred dollars kept me from the Axioms to begin with. Sweet irony. What can I say, I'm retarded that way!).

As for the looks of the two systems, I would say I like the M11s better, although they really do seem to sound better with the grilles on, so it becomes a bit of a moot point.

That's what it is all about, being happy, brand names aside. Hope you like the M3s and do stick around.

Grats on your purchase!
A year later I still smile when I'm listening to a song on my new speakers that I hadn't heard on them yet and I hear the difference I have been missing all along. I hope the excitement continues to last a long time for you as well.

Mat,

The Paradigms were actually designed to be played with the grills on. We made sure to listen to them with the grills on in the store. Enjoy your speakers and let us know what you think about the M3s. I personally would be very interested in hearing your comparison between the M3s and your Paradigms although I do realize that one is a floor-stander and the other is a bookshelf.