The m60's are an excellent speaker. I read the same reviews about them sounding bright & I don't find that to be the case at all. I have a Yamaha 3300 6.1 receiver(130wpc). I've also heard that Yamaha receivers tend to run on the bright side so I was very skeptical about pairing it with the Axioms.I've found the combo to be pleasing. The m60's have nice clarity w/o brightness or sibilance. Can't say the same for the SF's that I'm comparing them with. The SF's(Concertino Homes) have a wonderful clarity & soundstage but tend to sound sibilant on a lot of tracks.If I had any gripes about the m60's it would be that they are bit bass-shy at lower volumes. To counteract that,I turned off the "processor direct" option on the receiver & turned on the "bass extension". Perfect.
IMHO,if you under drive a lot of speakers they will sound bright. I had a Yamaha RX-v620 last year(5 x 100wpc) & everything I hooked to it sounded bright. I replaced it with the 3300 & immediately noticed the difference in sound. Upon close inspection(while at the store) I noticed that the transformer on the 3300 was about 3X's the size of the one in the 620. Denon has always been described to me as a "high current" receiver. They supposedly have a warmer sound than Yamaha so I don't think you would have any issues there,should you go that rout.
As far as the m60's go,I like them.Are they as good as a $3000/pr speakers?No. Although they rival some at twice the price. They will surprise you. The reviews I read weren't BSing. The Bostons,Deftechs,Klipschs,&other storeline speakers of the same cost or more can't touch them.They come well packaged,easily removable from the top of the box w/o destroying it. Try them for a month.If you don't like them,Axiom will pay for the return shipping.
As a side note,these need a little room to breath.I've got them 12 inches from the rear wall & a little more from the side walls. It does make a difference.
