Hi Thasp,
If "stupidly loud" is a requirment, then get the M22s. I've never tried them near-field, but I'll tell you that the M22s on my blind A/B switcher are virtually indistinguishable from the Paradigm Studio 20s, which I've owned for years (from a distance of about 10 feet. The Studio 20s have a little bit of boost in the 100-Hz region that makes some male vocals sound a bit "ripe" or a trifle fat (a common Paradigm trait in all their speakers). Even so, when I have the M22s on the switcher, they're so close, I often forget which is "A" and which is "B"--a good thing since it becomes quasi-blind.
More drivers means the M22 will handle more power better and play cleaner at higher SPLs.
Regards,
Alan
