I currently have a set of 15 year old Polk bookshelf speakers in my 15 x 26 basement (home theater/kids play room). I thought I wanted to update to floorstanding models. I do have a Cambridge Soundworks sub in my current system. I heard good things about Axiom and thought the M40 was the answer. I am starting to have second thoughts. I don't see much discussion about the M40's and it seems like a lot of people recommend the M22 bookshelves.

My thought was that I would need to get speaker stands anyhow so the cost to me would be a bit cheaper with the M40's and I also would be afraid that speakers on stands would be a bit easier to knock over than a floorstanding speaker.

From a budget standpoint I must limit my purchase to one of these speakers so unfortunately the M60's and 80's are out of the question.

Can I hear some confirmation from M40 owners about my original thoughts or some opposing viewpoints from those in the bookshelf camp. The system will be used for at least 75% home theater use/25% music. I am looking to be able to add the VP100 for the center a couple months down the road (matches the M40's, how about the M22's?)

Part of the reason there isn't much discussion of the m40s on here is just that their owners aren't active here. I have (and love) the m60s, and there have been several m50 owners recently singing their praises on here. I haven't heard much from m40 folks though.

Hi Bryan,

I am an m22ti owner. And I recently ordered the m50ti's, which I returned. The midrange of the m22s make quite a difference. The m50s were really laid back sounding and didn't possess the soundstage of the m22s. I've read that the m40s are even more laid back. The clarity and the soundstage of the m22s are simply astounding. If you like a forward sounding speaker with incredible soundstage and clarity the m22s are the one. But, if you like a laid back sound the m40s will probably do the trick. My m50s were more pleasant sounding, but they were dull sounding to me. To me the m22s with a sub are hard to beat. Check out the stands at ac4l.com.

Without a doubt, the m22's paired with a good subwoofer (at the very least, a HSU STF-2) are hard to beat. But the m22's are quite tipsy, which I discovered the hard way.

I, too, was once trying to decide between the m22s and the m40s. In fact, a lot of people have asked that very question. Some have even asked why no one mentions the m40s or m50s much.

I recommend perusing the above links. This discussion has taken place in great detail quite a few times.

I went with the m22s. I think that -- since you already have a sub -- I would recommend that you do the same. But it really comes down to whether you prefer the laid-back sound of the m40s, in which case you should, naturally, choose those.