Low level listening

Bartokfan,
A good speaker should be able to reproduce actual volumes of the instruments acoustic ones in particular along with its dynamic range.
An accoustic piano among all instruments has the largest dynamic range. So if accoustic piano can sound on the same volume level as real with the same dynamic range, than speaker is considered to be good one.

how many folks actually own apiano to compare the speaker with it?
How many here actually listen to only piano solo?
After having heard more than 50 speakers in the past 5 yrs, I can tell you there was not one that matches the Thors. A few had deeper bass, but then those speakers had either smokey fatiguing mids and/or steely "fake' highs.
None matched the Thors as a balanced in all 3 sprectums. ..., even though the Thors were among the lowest in price range.

"Big money does not ever equal great sound. And never ever forget that."

It is so easy to attack an absolute statement, I will not bother. Suffice it to say there are many expensive systems that make beautiful music.

Designig to a price point always means compromise...

Bartokfan,
piano is the key in this case.
If it sounds natural in your speakers than the rest of music possibly piece of cake.

Bartokfan writes:

I'm amazed at how poor some audiophiles senses are when it comes to high fidelity.

I'm amazed by your generalizations.

Regards,