Can anyone confirm wether or not an elite vsx 49 txi can drive the m80. The owner manual states impedance between 16 and 6 ohm but I understand the m80 are fairly easy load to drive.

I can't say for sure. But I do have a Pioneer Elite 43TX, with a similar 6-16 ohm speakers only note in the manual. I'm thinking of upgrading my m22's to m60's or m80's and emailed Axiom support about it and they did not recommend driving the M80's with my receiver. I don't know if the 49TX would be significantly different or not. You may want to email Axiom directly and see what they say.

Most solid state receivers will drive the 80's at moderate to slightly high levels, the question is to what level before they shut down.

I recall Alan saying a reviewer friend of his ran a set of Dynaudios @ 4 ohm with the Pioneer 1015. He attributed it to the mosfet amp design. Looking at the Pioneer site the VSX-49TX also has this type of amp design. I would have to say it would be a safe bet it will in fact drive the M80s.