So here are my thoughts. Please read this with the understanding that it's the first time that I have tried to do a side by side comparison of speakers (read: I'm a novice so don't be mean to me please!).
First I’d like to say thanks to Norene and Amie for their great customer service! I’d also like to reiterate that from order to delivery was aprox. 25 hours from the factory to San Fran California… Wonderfully fast and the extra cost for all 3 speakers was $60.00 (I got the vp100 as well). Being of the Mtv 'gimme now' generation it was worth it!
Now my impression. I have an onkyo 601 receiver and listened to them with the mains set to large and w/o the subwoofer (for the music). I wanted to get an idea of how both speakers performed w/o the benefit of a sub. I had to set the left and right lower on the M80s (via the receiver config) as they were a bit higher/louder on my SPL at the same volume setting on the receiver.
First off I want to say that I liked the CSW M80s. I still like them. But I like the M22s more! Peter is right about the bass in the M80s. There is more of it but it's either boomy or somewhat mushy, not tight. I’d also like to add that on all CDs I can more easily close my eyes and point at the musicians. The M22s disappeared.
I listened to the following songs.
Taylor- Jack Johnson
This song starts out with Jack picking at his guitar and I heard every bit of it. Fingers sliding up the strings and so forth. This song has little bass so both speakers sounded good to me but Jack’s voice was a bit more forward/present/clear (which I liked) in the M22s
Carolyn’s Fingers- Cocteau Twins
I hated this song on the M80s. It made my head hurt. I can’t tell you why, but I had to make myself listen to the whole thing. I am not sure how to explain it but I felt assaulted while listening to it with the M80s. On the M22s I was just fine. I still had NO idea what the woman was saying :-), but could hear each syllable clearly and distinctly. To be fair I am not a fan of soprano voices. Kate bush is a great songwriter, but I can’t listen to her sing…
Closer – NIN
This is one of my all time favorite songs. On the M22s I heard layers I did not realize were there before. At the beginning of this song there is a very low electronic sound that I never knew was there before. I could hear them on the M80s only by turning up the speaker and listening for it specifically.
I am stretched on your grave – Sinead O’Connor
This is a great track and another favorite of mine. Sinead singing over the drum and bass line of a James Brown track (sex machine I think, but could be wrong). Her vocals were more forward on the M22s whereas on the M80s they stepped back into the beat more.
Crash – Dave Matthews
I am a fan of Dave’s and really like this song so I know it well on this CD. The M80s did well by it, but the M22s did better. There were a few times with the M80s that the word “Crash” either partially disappeared or was harsh to my ears. The M22s were perfect.
Live at Fulsom Prison – Johnny Cash (re-release for his 70th birthday 20-bit dig re-mastered)
Both speakers were nice here. However, to really hear everything well with the M80s I had to turn up the volume. The mids of Johnny’s voice and the deepest parts of Busted and Cocaine Blues were clearer and not as ‘mushy’ on the M22s as the M80s.
Gimme one reason to stay here – Tracy Chapman
This song open with an electric guitar being picked and on the M22s at low volume I hear everything. It’s great! Tracy has a great voice that goes from tenor to soprano (at moments) and the M22s had her clear and forward. The M80s did well, but again, her voice stepped more into the music and the speakers were not as transparent.
O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack
Down to the River and Pray
I love this whole album, but this song is great for showing off your speakers. This song is Alison Krauss with a subtle amount of background singers. With the M22s I (first time ever) heard the very quite and gentle but noticeable male vocals in the background. I never heard this on the M80s (had them about 30 days and listed to this album and song at least 4 times).
Lonesome Valley – Fairfield four
4 deep voiced men singing. Again, with the M22 I could point to where the men were standing and the middle was clear and precise.
Digging in the Dirt – Peter Gabriel
To be honest, this song is the last one I listened to and though I was already sure I was keeping the M22s and returning the M80s, this song cemented the decision. This song opens with a synth bass/percussion line. On the M80s it was ‘muddy’. On the M22s it was fantastic. I don’t know how else to describe it. I put the song in sat down and listened for 5 seconds and said to myself “Wow”.
Then I tossed in the DVD Movie Underworld. Not the best plot/diaglog but the opening is handy. It starts with a woman speaking in the middle of a thunderstorm. I could hear every bit of her dialog while still experiencing the thunder crashing. The next scene is a shoot out in a subway and I noticed bullet shells bouncing that I had not noticed while listening to the M80s. I then put in LoTR Fellowship of the Ring and watched the scene with the Balrog…. I was able to hear footsteps, background echos, every crackle of the Balrog… Again… WOW (I seem to say that a lot)… (btw I have a dayton 10in woofer from partsexpress for my sub-- studio living in an apartment building requires good neighbors)
So. My personal verdict is that the M22s win across the board. I am not really surprised considering everything I have read on this board and on others. The M80s are good speakers, but for the exact same (retail) price you can get the M22s and be sooo much happier with your stereo music! Plus shipping is included. That being said, if you can get the M80s for 250 or less and are stuck budget wise do so. You will like them. But, I’d still recommend saving up longer for the M22s…
James
Thanks peter for your time and impressions!
Ralph.. you made the right choice. I promise!
