Hello All,

I have been reading and rereading posts for the past couple of months trying to decide between the M22i and M60 speakers. As soon as I seem to be set on one or the other, I read another post that gets me thinking again. The obvious solution...stop reading the posts!

Well, it happened again that I was set on the M22i and I read a recent post on 22v60v80. I live in an old house that has pretty small rooms. The living room where my stereo resides is around 14x16 feet with 8 foot ceilings. My receiver/amp is a 10-year-old Sony something or other with around 125W. My big, grand 15-year-old Research Acoustics speakers are shot and I need to replace them.

Even though it is a small room, I crank them up fairly loud now and then (shaking the living room loud). I listen to mainly alternative-type rock (Interpol, Ramones, Monster Magnet) along with classical and movies. The M22s are half the price of the M60s, but those M60s look awfully sweet and seem to be able to handle more when needed. Is it overkill with the M60s or underestimating with the M22s?

Any advice will be deeply appreciated. I made it as far as the order form this time. ;-)

Thanks

No!!! Don't stop reading.

Order the 22s. Use the 30 day trial to evaluate. If you think you need more, upgrade to the 60's. Axiom will send you return labels for the trade up. You get to listen and make your own ears decide.

Hey Audiophobe, welcome

I've never heard the M22's myself, but what other say about them is great news. From what I recall the M60's will produce better/tighter bass, which might be good for the type of music you like. Not that the M22's don't have good bass, but most add the sub to balance out in the low freq's areas. I know some people that use M60's and M80's as is, with no sub, they have very nice deep/tight bass. If you like a lot of music cranked up at times, the 60's may have a slight edge, or heck you can always look at the 50's as well. If you order from the Factory Outlet on the Axiom Store page, you will save 10% of the regular pricing, and they are still brand new with the same warranty.

Have you checked the Audition thread in the "Hearing Things" forum? There may be someone out near Jersey willing to audition for you in their home.

Randy

I wouldn't really consider the M22s without a sub. They're great speakers but they are just not built for bass response like you would get with towers.

The other thing to consider is that M22's will need stands for optimal placement and imaging, which will add to the cost.

I upgraded from 22's to 60's and am extremely satisfied with the move. Worth getting a tower speaker over bookshelf. (Kept the 22's for surrounds)

PM me if you want more info

I tried out m22's and m60's (my living room is similar in size to yours). Originally I planned on running only a pair of main speakers, without a sub. There was no contest: the m60's have the mid-range clarity of the m22's, but with much added bass - and no stands required. I've been using m60's for almost a year by themselves; I find they do a great job with all genres of music, and acquit themselves pretty nicely for movie playback. I could and would live quite happily with this arrangement.

Unfortunately, I love the sound of the m60's so much, I couldn't resist filling them out to an Epic 60 5.1 surround system; the other speakers are now on order from the factory outlet. Don't make the same mistake I did - run to BestBuy while you can, get an insanely good deal on some crappy speakers, and pretend that they sound really good. You'll be impressed with how much money you can save. If you let yourself get hooked on the Axiom sound, it's just a downward spiral...

The M60s will do fine in that size room. Why put yourself in a situation where you'll always be wondering if you "shoulda"?

It's obvious... M50s !!

Actually, John may have a point. With that type of music, you may want a little bit of a rolled off top end. Just adding to the confusion.

i would say call axiom and talk to one of those guys, and buy what they reccomend...

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. Lots of good advice and a few laughs as well. ;-) I am sure that the extra bass would be nice, esoecially when I listen to Vivaldi. Good point that the stands would add that much cost, although I was just going to stick them in the entertainment center (which, BTW, takes up a quarter of the room)

I did call the experts at Axiom and we spoke for a while before he finally settled on the M60s, but I was probably settled on them before I spoke with him. I just like getting confirmation. ;-)

I checked into the Factory Store, but there is an 11-week wait for the cherry speakers, and right now my polyurethane speakers are being damped in the boxes with socks because the paper has deteriorated, so I really cannot wait 11 weeks. I'll be ordering a pair of the cherry M60s today.

Thanks again for all your help!

M60s are a great choice!! Now... M80s... may be even better :-)

Let us know how it goes with your order.

I have a similar situation, having been the owner of M22s for quite some time. I'm in a bit of a conundrum though. I like to listen to music. The other people in the house use my system for HT. I can either upgrade my sub from a JBL PB12 to who knows what . . . or I can upgrade to a set of floorstanders for my mains. Something tells me I would be happier with the M60s + old sub than just a SVS/HSU/Axiom sub upgrade. I don't know the answer, but I wish I did???