Any Audio enthusiasts?

[Nebu]

I've seen (and contributed to) posts on guitar threads, gaming threads, medical, and even political threads.  I was wondering if there are any audio geeks out there as well?  As a conversation starter, I'll contribute this: 

I'm heading down to Denver this weekend to audition speakers, particularly a pair of THESE and wondered if anyone here has had any exposure or has even owned a pair?  I live almost 120 miles from the dealer and it's unlikely that I'll be allowed to bring them home for a lengthy listen before comitting to them.  I've owned a number of speakers in the past, and find that I prefer speakers with a more subdued mid range and good staging.  One of my acid tests includes the quality of female vocals.  They seem the most difficult to find a pleasing reproduction. 

I spend a lot of time posting and reading HERE but thought that there might be people on f13 with additional insight. If you have any suggestions on these or other speakers, please share your experiences.

[Signe]

I'm sure Righ will be along any time now.  He's a huge hi fi nut.  Well, I don't mean he's like a fat guy with an iPod or anything.  He likes loud stuff.

Oh, nm.

[Righ]

I've never heard those speakers, so I can't really help you directly. I have, however, listened to a multi-cabinet design before, though I can't for the life of me remember the manufacturer. It was around 20 years ago, and it sounded good. A lot of companies have started making isolated tweeters since, though they tend to have a faux enclosure in the form of an outer shell to make single box speakers. My preference is for spacious soundstages too. I like good ribbon speakers more than most, and one day I'll have the cash for a nice set - in fact the silly AV system I posted was all stuff I'd seriously audition if I had the free cash. I love Linn source equipment - have since I first heard an LP12, and I love the more pleasing distortion of tubes - it may be greater than transistors, but its in-phase, and so not as distressing.

Vocals are a good test for source, amplifier and speaker systems. "Hello Earth" from Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" is one of my favorite test tracks. I use "Halleluwah" by Can for pace and rhythm, and "Rockpommel's Land" by Grobschnitt for placement and breadth of soundstage.

[Sky]

I need some nice stereo speakers, but there's so much hype and overpriced crap that I can never get very far.

I'm not much of an audiophile, though I love good sound. I use "Year of the Parrot" by Primus to check out speakers :P One of the best rock drum sounds ever recorded imo.

Any recommendations for midrange speakers to handle movies/tv/gaming/music? Or should I buy seperate speakers for music and put those on one of the gazillion hookups in the back of my crappy little Panasonic SA-HE100?

[Righ]

A decent pair of modest balanced monitors will sound better than any of the bigger box speakers in what most consider reasonable price ranges. People tend to call them "bookshelf speakers" but you don't want to put them on a bookshelf. Combined with sturdy stands that place the tweeters at ear height they will serve you well for music listening. When you want boomy bass for games and TV, use the other channels for subs and such. You can switch back to stereo on your quality smaller speakers for discerning listening. For $2-300 you can get smaller speakers from Kef, AR, Mission, Quad and Wharfedale that are all very acceptable (snobs would say passable) in audiophile terms.

[Nebu]

I'd also recommend a couple of less known companies: Paradigm and Axiom. 

Both companies make very good monitors for the money