homeslice

This actually doesnt surprise me. I've read quite a few personal praises about the Panasonic receivers in different home theater forums. I cant judge either way since I've never heard them before.

All I can say is thank God for auto calibration I have a Pioneer Elite 53TX and I've used the auto calibration so much that my 3 year old daughter tells ME to be quiet when she sees me plugging the microphone into the receiver

I'm going through a similar situation. I have the RF-3II's and wanted to try Axiom's m60ti's but was afraid of paying alot for return shipping if I didnt like them. I decided I would get the smaller m22ti's and if I liked them I would exchange them for the m60's. Comparing them over the weekend with the matching vp150 center they were very good for the price. Smooth, detailed with nice build quality. But comparing them directly against my RF-3's they sounded a bit muted especially on vocals. For movies they had good clarity but seemed to lack a bit of the impact the RF-3's had. I know it wasnt a fair comparison but a compromise considering the cost of shipping the large m60's back to Axiom would of cost if I went that route. I've read alot where the m60 and m80's sound very similar to the B&W 703. Judging from the m22's I tend to believe that. I'm convinced though after comparing a few different speakers in my home that I just have an ear for Klipsch. I would still like to compare the m60 against my RF-3II's though.

Direct radiators for me also. With dolby digital there are alot of surround effects that would be ruined by dipole/bipoles. Direct radiators are also the THX standard if that means anything.

I just yesterday listened to both the Pioneer 55TXi and Denon 3803 side by side with Klipsch RF35's at a local dealer. I have the Pioneer 53TX and RF-3II's but from all the Denon/Klipsch combo fans I was all set to pick one up. Until I listened to both of them. The salesman played a cd and switched back and forth between the two receivers and I could immediately tell which was which. The Pioneer definitely had a more forward and detailed sound which I like. Sounded like the musicians were right in the room. The Denon sounded dull in comparison and further away. I'm sure on its own its sounds great but it just depends on what kind of sound you like. Hope this helps.

I've experienced the same thing. Now that I have a house I've played them pretty loud for the first time and they get a little ear piercing. I've always liked my RF-3IIs at low to mid levels but because of this I've contemplated getting different speakers or a different receiver. I got a new Pioneer elite 53TX when I bought the house so I'm not sure if its the receiver, speakers or both.