Keep in mind that the M5 is a 3-way design while the M22 are only a 2-way design.
Forget the crossover.
Having a dedicated midrange driver makes a huge difference in the detail and sound signature.
I went from a 3-way Technics system (Japanese speakers) to M22s and i returned the M22s. I found them anemic and without detail. We bought the M60s (not a bookshelf size of course) and its detail and low end filled everything we were looking for. Since then i've been a convert that 2/2.5 way systems just don't have the same detail as dedicated midrange driver systems. Acoustic research i read years ago was looking at covering a room 360 degrees with speakers and found that the more speakers presented, the more detailed sounds were to the human ear (today's premium 'standard' of Atmos 10.2, 11.4... ring any bells?).
I often thought what it would be like if Axiom had a 3-way bookshelf unit to truly compare to my age old Technics system and now they finally do (about 15 years after i sold the Technics unit).
