I can understand the lack of mid-range and slam in the M22s compared to the M80s. This is where large, well-designed speakers excel. It is this quality about large speakers that charms listeners and convinces them they must be right for any room.
What about the soundstage? Did the M22s image better than the M80s in that set-up? Was the stage wider? Could you hear stuff away from the speaker boundaries? Did it have more depth? Did the M22s "disappear"? Could you place instruments along the stage rather than just localized to the centre and right and left speakers? Where was the centre image relative to the plane of the front of the speakers? Was that image in front of the plane, at the same plane or behind the plane?
Likely you never listened for any of these qualities or if you did, you have forgotten. Next time you listen to your M80s and M22s Michael, listen for these details. It will be a great distraction from your post-graduate studies.
And BTW, if you place the backs of those M22s 2 feet away from the front wall, space them 8 feet apart and sit 10 feet away, you may hear the music in a completely different way.
