I can only add one data point from my direct experience. I used to own Paradigm Monitor 7's and now I have M80's, I know it's not a fair comparison. The M80's are vastly superior. I have listened to the Monitor 11's and like them a lot, they are probably fairly comparable to the M80's. I say probably because I haven't done a direct a/b comparison. Overall you will probably get more bang for your buck out of Axioms.