Help Starting from scratch

I like the B&W 805s. I find they have limited low bass response ("limited" is a euphemism for almost none). I have tried the B&Ws with Classe amps, and they were quite nice. I would assume the Classe 1100 would match well.

Having tried none of the others, I will branch off in another direction... and it may or not be suitable to you; if not, I've got my flame-retardant suit on.

However, if you are interested in trying DIY, I can recommend trying a Bottlehead system. One can be set up for less money, it is a fantastic learning experience, and there are many suggestions of speakers which match the lower output amps there. While there is no integrated in the family, there will be soon be a 'Stereomour' amp, and I imagine at least someone will try to put a Foreplay pre in the same chassis and teach us lubbers how to do it. The community on the Bottlehead forum is very very friendly and helpful, so it is a great place to learn, and get great music for less bucks than you thought possible given the quality.

Disclaimer: happy Bottlehead customer.

I sold B&W and Krell from '96 to 2001 and went from the 805 Matrix III to Nautilus when it was introduced and kept up with shop till about two yeas ago.We also sold Krell and McIntosh etc.The 805 and the 803 were best they had in value among there line.Nice thing is they are forgiving of electronics and you could run them with just about anything.I think there are better speakers out there like Harbeth if you like the Brit sound but the 805 especially if you toss a sub on latter can be nice.Another is Revel M20-22 series.Polk I was never a fan of over the line but certain speakers like LSi9 are good as are Paradigm.You have to listen yourself.Two others I think offer better value are highly reviewed Usher Be 718 Dancer.Also if you take price point and want and can swing a floor stander if the Totem Forest.For more money the Mani-2 and less the Sig 1 are great Totems.Gallo too.I had the ones before the Ref 3.1 and they are good and had weaknesses.But they have gotten great reviews and used can be gotten for $1750.

Don't look just at sensitivity of speaker but impedance.Especially the B&W will suck power comparatively.Krell has great bass be it A/B or A and clean highs but for me a tube integrated guy who listen to jazz I found the short coming was in mids the sound was a bit metallic and "etched".But B&W's don't show that off as more revealing speaker.Classe is good only in respect to watts per $$$ and are a bit "cool" for my taste.I would look at new or used Bryston if you want the Classe.I have heard but have less sit fdwon time with MF but it is good SS and not overpriced (like Krell).If you were arround a place that sold Pathos or other tube/SS hybrid for jazz I'd check that out.Ohter option is Classs D like Bel Canto,PS Audio or Wyred.If you might need power down line (room size or demaning speaker) Wyred Integrateds have features and watts per dollar value that is crazy good.Some say they are "dry soundin" others really think they are great.Just one more option.Run cool and lot's of power.

Kimber all the way.Am a cable skeptic but sold MIT and thought they were waaaay overpriced and a rip off.Those blocks on end accentuate the mids so you think it "adding to your system when in reality it's taking away lows and highs making mids pop.Less is less.Kimber is a good value.Harmonic Tech has good rep.if you like the Krell sound the only other one I would consider is a the Cardas line.They offer a bit of softening of those Krell mids and though we didn't sell them at shop I was at I got them for friends and got great results.But Kimber are best bang for buck in otherwise balanced system.Get good stands like some Sound Anchors if you can swing them especially with wood foors.My taste ran tube and horns but now might go with the Usher and D stuff but also thinking about high sensitivity speakers like I have (German two way horn and bass driver) and swapping out to another high sens line Zu for a demo (read reviews at 6moon and other places) and low power SET at 18 watts or keep my 45 watt EAR tube but am intrigued by T amps like Redwine and cheaper from 8-30 watts.All the harmonics of tubes (except tube "bloom") so take my "advice" with grain of salt.Go listen though rooms are different and read reviews here on 'Gon.Nothing you mentioned axcept MIT is bad but Krell will cost a premium.
Cheers
Chazz

I sold B&W and Krell from '96 to 2001 and went from the 805 Matrix III to Nautilus when it was introduced and kept up with shop till about two yeas ago.We also sold Krell and McIntosh etc.The 805 and the 803 were best they had in value among there line.Nice thing is they are forgiving of electronics and you could run them with just about anything.I think there are better speakers out there like Harbeth if you like the Brit sound but the 805 especially if you toss a sub on latter can be nice.Another is Revel M20-22 series.Polk I was never a fan of over the line but certain speakers like LSi9 are good as are Paradigm.You have to listen yourself.Two others I think offer better value are highly reviewed Usher Be 718 Dancer.Also if you take price point and want and can swing a floor stander if the Totem Forest.For more money the Mani-2 and less the Sig 1 are great Totems.Gallo too.I had the ones before the Ref 3.1 and they are good and had weaknesses.But they have gotten great reviews and used can be gotten for $1750.

Don't look just at sensitivity of speaker but impedance.Especially the B&W will suck power comparatively.Krell has great bass be it A/B or A and clean highs but for me a tube integrated guy who listen to jazz I found the short coming was in mids the sound was a bit metallic and "etched".But B&W's don't show that off as more revealing speaker.Classe is good only in respect to watts per $$$ and are a bit "cool" for my taste.I would look at new or used Bryston if you want the Classe.I have heard but have less sit fdwon time with MF but it is good SS and not overpriced (like Krell).If you were arround a place that sold Pathos or other tube/SS hybrid for jazz I'd check that out.Ohter option is Classs D like Bel Canto,PS Audio or Wyred.If you might need power down line (room size or demaning speaker) Wyred Integrateds have features and watts per dollar value that is crazy good.Some say they are "dry soundin" others really think they are great.Just one more option.Run cool and lot's of power.

Kimber all the way.Am a cable skeptic but sold MIT and thought they were waaaay overpriced and a rip off.Those blocks on end accentuate the mids so you think it "adding to your system when in reality it's taking away lows and highs making mids pop.Less is less.Kimber is a good value.Harmonic Tech has good rep.if you like the Krell sound the only other one I would consider is a the Cardas line.They offer a bit of softening of those Krell mids and though we didn't sell them at shop I was at I got them for friends and got great results.But Kimber are best bang for buck in otherwise balanced system.Get good stands like some Sound Anchors if you can swing them especially with wood foors.My taste ran tube and horns but now might go with the Usher and D stuff but also thinking about high sensitivity speakers like I have (German two way horn and bass driver) and swapping out to another high sens line Zu for a demo (read reviews at 6moon and other places) and low power SET at 18 watts or keep my 45 watt EAR tube but am intrigued by T amps like Redwine and cheaper from 8-30 watts.All the harmonics of tubes (except tube "bloom") so take my "advice" with grain of salt.Go listen though rooms are different and read reviews here on 'Gon.Nothing you mentioned except MIT is bad but Krell will cost a premium.
Cheers
Chazz

to my ears, the paradigms are tons better than the polk and b&w you listed--fuller and much more transparent, with a broad soundstage.