Semi,
Apparently, you also live in the bay area, and you know our mutual friend with the Antares Rockport speakers.
:-)
Re: Usher Speakers,
I should relate, (although, you probably know this already), that he and I went to CES (last year) and we specifically made it a point to hear the Usher speakers (both of us wanted to hear them, as we both were in the market for an upgrade, albeit he more than I at the time, as he had not yet gotten the Antares). Now, admittedly the electronics that they were using were merely mediocre, and the room was not good (when are they at a CES?!), but still, the sound from the big Usher was pretty disappointing nonetheless.
However, you are correct, that perhaps I should give them a shot again, in better surroundings, as I too have read some really good reviews, and they are not a bad looking speaker.
As far as the store in Campbell, I assume that is Nick's True Sounds store? (That is the only stereo store in Campbell that I know.) And, I will be honest and state that I dislike using audio stores for my auditions, and prefer to either use my friends experience, or better yet, listen to friends systems, to see what I like. Our mutual friend, has allowed me to experience quite a few pieces of high end gear in his system, and my knowledge base has grown considerably because of this. (Plus, it seems somewhat dishonest to me, to use a store's facilities, when I know I will not be buying from them.)
Re: Revel Salons,
I briefly thought about the Salons, but they are just bigger Studios, and while having full range would be great, (and a nice step up), it still would be the exact same sonics, and while I really like the Revel sound, I want something, well, different. (I am looking for a more refined sound, and while the Revel Ultima series is very good, I am looking for great, and I realize that I will need to pay through the nose to get it!)
Re: Verity Speakers,
I have researched (but have not heard, obviously!), the Verity line. I am not sure if these are for me. One thing that I want is a full range speaker, and that probably means one of the larger Verity speakers, like the Sarastro. But, in his review of said speaker, Mikey Fremer states that these speakers need to be pulled into the room so that they are four feet from the wall, or else they will sound boomy. This would not be workable in my living room. (A couple of feet, sure thing, as that is how my Studios are now, but four feet is just not workable due to the WAF, and even I would not want a speaker that far out from the wall in the room as it currently is set up, and I really don't want to rearrange the room, as it does sound pretty darn good as it is currently arranged.)
I will keep researching some of the other speakers that have been recommended. Thanks guys, and if you think of any other speakers, feel free to suggest them too!
:-)