Jafox: Thank you (and everyone) for your suggestions.
I'm hesitant about the JL3s for four, subjective, reasons.
1. They are almost as expensive as a pair of MBL 9008s. I've heard the 9008s drive the 101s and, simply put, they are a great match.
2. I can try the H2O without much risk (I can only lose a few hundred dollars for shipping, etc.) but if I buy used or new JL3s and don't really like them; I'm stuck with them. I don't like to purchase gear that I haven't heard in my system.
3. I've heard the JL3s on U-1s and found the bass control to be somewhat lacking (a Rowland 302 in the same system really tightened things up).
4. One reviewer on AA owned a 101E / JL3 system and stated that he could only confortably attain 95dB in his room. This could have been a room issue but it could also have been an amp/speaker issue. He didn't keep this system.
I'm hesitant about the JL3s for four, subjective, reasons.
1. They are almost as expensive as a pair of MBL 9008s. I've heard the 9008s drive the 101s and, simply put, they are a great match.
2. I can try the H2O without much risk (I can only lose a few hundred dollars for shipping, etc.) but if I buy used or new JL3s and don't really like them; I'm stuck with them. I don't like to purchase gear that I haven't heard in my system.
3. I've heard the JL3s on U-1s and found the bass control to be somewhat lacking (a Rowland 302 in the same system really tightened things up).
4. One reviewer on AA owned a 101E / JL3 system and stated that he could only confortably attain 95dB in his room. This could have been a room issue but it could also have been an amp/speaker issue. He didn't keep this system.