so is midbase important if you're pairing your speakers up with a great subwoofer and crossing over at 80Hz?
Yes. There is not a brick wall between the sub and mains, so both contribute to the sound around the crossover region.
Do you need the M80s? No. The M22 and a sub make for an exellent combination. I think the M22s offer the best value in the Axiom lineup. I had a little more money I could spend and I heard differences between the M80 and the M22 plus sub, so it was worth the difference for me, but M22s are excellent performers as well. Its like deciding between excellent and, um, more excellent.
