I have all of Mark Knopfler's solo cds which are probably some of the best sounding cds out there and even these cds sound bright and brittle on the M3's. Normally Mark's vocals sound as smooth as can be on these cds but when listening with the M3's even these normally smooth vocals start to sound hissy.

Honestly, Jerry, I'm sorry you don't like the speakers, but I don't think anyone here has had that experience, particularly with Mark Knopfler recordings. They sound great on my M80s, they sound great on my Audiobytes, and they sound great on my M50s.

I have my M3's toed in quite a bit. Will that affect the perceived brightness?

Possibly. Try aiming the tweeters away from your head a bit. My M80s are straight on into the room, but every room is different. How do you have them set up right now? Distances, height, etc?

Are the walls bare and the floor without carpeting?

There is carpeting on the floor. But the walls are pretty much bare. I have the M3's on 24 inch stands about 7-8 feet from my listening postion toed in towards me.

Jerry,
the first time I heard Axioms were M2's that I ordered. I agree with your statement completely. Metallic. I had them a short time but they had to go back because customs had sliced one with a box cutter. When I went to demo M60's, I was expecting to hear the sound that you described. I figured it was the metal tweeters,(my other speakers have silk tweeters). But the M60's were amazing. I wish I could have listened to M3's at all, and M2's again so I could advise you. I would keep them as long as the trial period allows. Who knows.

good luck ! Audio can be a callous mistress.

Jerry. It sounds like you prefer your highs rolled off quite a bit.

You are right, anything by Knopfler is very well recorded. Keep the M3s a little longer, but I would be surprised if you change your mind.

Personally I am the other way around. I find rolled off highs to be veiled/muffled.

Even if you don't care for his music.....Roger Waters' Amused to Death and The Final Cut are excellently recorded cds and good for reference.

I picked up Amused to Death on the reviews and was a little disappointed. I'll have to give it another listen. Anything Pink Floyd was well recorded.

It does not sound like the recording is the issue.