Buying Bookshelves, I love B&W but....

Dynaudio would be on my shortlist!!

Demo their more expensive lines. I heard thei rlower line and was not impressed. I have owned two of their 800 series speakers (801's and 800's) and was very impressed by the 805's.

When it came tiem for me to buy bookshelf speakers for my office I bought ERA Design 5's here on Audiogon. About $700 and great performers.

BBC monitor-sized speakers are among the best of the smaller speakers that I've auditioned. I have a pair of Harbeth Monitor 30's and Compact 7's. There are a number of good and reasonably accurate reviews floating around, including, as I recall, a good series from Stereo Times. I've done a little listening to B&W's, and I would say that the Monitor 30's seemed (for my ear) quite a bit richer than the smaller B&W's I heard. I prefer the Harbeths to floor standers from Vandersteen and Avalon, all of which I've had at home. My listening room is about 14x20.

my experience is that the mids are a bit compressed, less open and detailed.

That is pretty standard for most speakers. It is called the BBC dip. Technically the speakers are scooped in the midrange in their power response (combined on axis and off axis signal). Small two ways with a 6" woofer tend to suffer from this because most tweeters cannot be crossed over low enough prior to the "beaming" occurring from the woofer.

The advantage of this design is that compressed pop and rock will sound good. Well recorded classical, jazz and other genres will be lacking that tangible realistic feel - sounding a bit laid back or distant.

I've owned a few pairs of BW two ways including the N805s, 600s & CDNT 1s.

It may likely be due to the level of front end gear driving those units as well.. I recently was very suprised to hear a lowly pair of Canton speakers sound very good, on either SS or HS... and on two different receivers as well.

Even more recently, a pair of Silverline SR 15s are doing a fine job IMO. I'd not put them onto a shelf though as they are rear ported.

Overall, there are other choices which can and do fare better than the BW two ways and for less money. The latest PC line from Phase Tech also is a great performer for the money.

Did you listen to the McIntosh two ways while listening to the Mac int? Although a mite larger than the smallish shelf models, they sounded pretty good to me in a poor demo and likewise setup.

Lastly the Silverline Minuet is getting loads of good press for a small loudspeaker.