I was going to get Axioms again since I need bookshelves once I sell the Thiels I have.

They will be used nearfield, about 3'-4' or so away from me, with maybe 3' behind me on the back wall. Others in the room may be further away from them.

There will be people in other spots of the room. Sometimes for clients(it's a small studio room), they will be expected to be played stupidly loud.

Will the m22ti's extra driver screw things up in a nearfield application? I was leaning towards them because for the extra bass extension and the higher output capability for some of the main clients who like to check things very loud, but was leaning towards the m2i since in my experience in a nearfield application a 2 way with one midrange has been better than a 2 way with 2 midranges.

In a small room I thought I might be able to get away with some higher output.

The chain'd be a PCM1716 based DAC w/ ADA4898-1 in output stage into a Parasound HCA-1000a amp.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

T, I'm not sure in what way your "experience" has been that one mid-woofer is better for near-field, but my view is that my M22s blend well at about 4', although that isn't my standard listening distance.

I have felt that for close in listening, more drivers = more confusing listening experience, whereas when 5' away or more, the speaker with more drivers(assuming similar quality and design) and a larger cabinet shines and sounds fuller. Examples such as the Paradigm Studio 20 vs studio 40, Athena ASF1 vs ASF2. I just haven't ever heard the m2i, but I did at one time have the m22ti, so I never got to do a comparison.

Since you are worried about base extension why not the M3s? Too laid back?

IMO the m3s lack the midrange detail required for this application.

Also, bass extension and bass hump are two separate things. the m3 seems to have more of the latter

I've used both M2s and M22s for computer speakers, about 1' past the end of the desk, 3' from my chair, back wall about 4' behind me. Played quiet and loud, but only semi-critically, I have found the M22s to be a much better speaker. I haven't noticed any near field confusion from the extra driver.

m22 it is.

Hi Thasp,

If "stupidly loud" is a requirment, then get the M22s. I've never tried them near-field, but I'll tell you that the M22s on my blind A/B switcher are virtually indistinguishable from the Paradigm Studio 20s, which I've owned for years (from a distance of about 10 feet. The Studio 20s have a little bit of boost in the 100-Hz region that makes some male vocals sound a bit "ripe" or a trifle fat (a common Paradigm trait in all their speakers). Even so, when I have the M22s on the switcher, they're so close, I often forget which is "A" and which is "B"--a good thing since it becomes quasi-blind.

More drivers means the M22 will handle more power better and play cleaner at higher SPLs.

Regards,
Alan