Ah, what a relief, I finally unpacked the speakers and checked for blemishes. If I stare hard enough I'll see one, and then it disappears when I blink. So I found one blemish on the top edge and it can't be seen at a distance. With scratches like this I recommend a brown Crayola watercolor fine tip marker to touch up such blemishes. I've even seen marker kits in different shades of wood for such tasks at the hardware store. But its not neccessary at this level.
My system consists of a Pioneer VSX-515, with standard digital connection from a cable box and no frills dvd player. The channel power is 110 watts x 6 channels at 0.9% THD. Its a sub $200 receiver, but has standard options and bass management. I also have 12 gauge wire to the M22's which are my mains, and no center channel. I kept 2 cubes from my Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble IV as rears. I also have a Infinity PS-10, for a subwoofer.
My previous system and my best, was a NAD T761, with Polk R30's all the way around.
Prior to that I had a low end Onkyo receiver, with a Bose Acoustimass6. Before that was I lived with my sister who had a JBL bookshelf setup with a Denon receiver.
Playing the Axioms in stereo was my first item, I wanted to hear what it has to offer just for the pair. I will confirm that a sub is necessary. For the range you get from the M22, the sub completes it.
The first thing I played was Jack Johnson, Sing along (I have a kid). The clarity of the guitar and drums was extremely noticeable. I was impressed right way. Vocals had no problem coming across with the music. After playing with the crossover at my setting options, 50, 80, 100, 150, 200; 80hz was the best option in my environment. The full range setting plus the sub seemed to muddle the bass at times. Separating the frequency cleaned it up. One note on the speaker height. I got Sanus basic 16 inch stands and the tweeter height was just below my ear level. I was worried about it not being tall enough for music and standing room environments but the soundstage filled the room just fine from any position.
I watched an episode of Weeds, and the first thing I noticed is that I was listening at 15 db's lower than I normally do. These speakers really play louder than my CS, in fact I can lower the volume to -70 on my receiver and hear the vocals on the cable tv just fine. I wasn't grabbing the remote to adjust the volume as I did with the CS. The CS is a great speaker but the cubes I had only was able to play at certain levels, These M22's can keep its consistency at clarity and crispness at any volume levels. I havent cranked it up yet, but I took Friday off to really put it though some testing.
Now my previous systems were good, but they always left something to be desired, I got tired of the Bose real quick in the terms of sound as well as the Polks. I noticed it was the speaker that made the difference, but its really the weakest link that does it in. I have a buddy who bought a pair of Sony floor standings with real good specs going up to 50khz. But it was hooked up to a RCA receiver, and I know It wouldn't be a fair judgment against the speaker. Nevertheless, it had to be played loud to be experience and even that was not impressive.
Movies were really clear especially voices, I placed the crossover at 100hz and that brought voices out more. I also have dialog enhancement option on my receiver and the range is quite noticeable not whereas it wasn't before.
i definitely want to get a new receiver, but feel a vp100 is the first item of business, and I can live with the CS cube surrounds for now.
Overall it is an excellent speaker, better than what you'll find at the retailers for the money.
