Nonoise,'
I've had the Impact monitors only 5 days, but they've done some amazing things already. I'm in a quandary similar to Waltersalas; I've already got a highly regarded pair of 2-way monitors with a midrange of Danish origin and a RAAL tweeter. I listen primarily to classical music and solo piano (with a little jazz thrown in). One of the first cuts I played was Mussorgsky's "Night on bald mountain" on Reference Recordings RR 82CD. A very dynamic cut that I've heard many times on many different systems. I've never heard the orchestral textures unravelled like the Impact Monitors did, giving an airy, 3-D soundstage. I heard this cut on a highly regarded $45,000 speaker with highly regarded SS electronics; it was not even close, the Impact Monitors bested them. On the other hand, I'd give a slight edge to my Reference Monitors for solo piano music (at this point in time). They seem to give a more solid, weighty piano sound, whereas the Impact monitors had a lighter touch. It may really come down to which presentation your prefer; they both sound very good with solo piano. I listened to a Jazz vocal recording of Blossom Dearie on Verve; the Impact Monitors gave a really organic, airy, 3-D sound to her voice, realistic and very pleasing to listen to, right smack in the middle of the 2 speakers. My reference monitors did a good job as well, but a slightly different presentation. I'll give further thoughts as I listen more and the speakers break in-
pawsman