here's a question. my receiver only puts out 100w per channel, and my pair of m3s is rated for 175w each. i do not want to hurt the speakers from under-powering them. the receiver however will put out 100w into four stereo channels (2 right and 2 left). i was wondering, would it be possible and/or advisable to wire both the "a" and "b" left and right channels together for a total of 200w to each left and right channel? or would this be followed by blue smoke and flames? or perhaps, i shouldn't worry about the receiver providing only 100w each in the first place?

Absolutely positively do NOT do that. You will nuke your reciever. You will not harm your speakers by underpowering them with 100 instead of 175 watts

thanks, that's what I wanted to know.