Welcome, Ron. I had the same exact questions six years ago and bought the M60s...not regretting them for a second!

So, the answers:

1) Not at all... they play well soft as well as cranked!

2) Eight foot will be fine!

3) Not at all! The M60s and M80s have tight, but not at all bloated, bass.

4) Twelve inches is fine. Generally, anything over 8" seems to work well for the masses!

4)

::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::