open/energetic but not harsh? what am i describing


hi guys, long story short, i loved the energy and openness of the b&w n805's but i couldnt stand the harshness of the metal tweeter after extended listening... so i need to replace them with something that is equally airy/open but a lot smoother

i've been demoing speakers but its been hard to find something similar.. i think the fact that the 805's have the tweeter out in the open like that, contributes a lot to their great imaging and open sound

i need some guidance as to what speakers i should look into... most of the speakers ive tried so far do sound smoother, but have that boxy/recessed sound and are not nearly as airy as the 805's

any advice is appreciated, thanks
koven
LOL Thorman, that is freakin' hilarious!!

Thanks Shadorne, I will definitely go audition some PSB's. How do they differ from the B&W Nautilus sound? I see that audioadvisor has PSB Image T6 towers for 1200/pair, good choice?
Koven,

You might be a candidate for planar or electrostatic speakers. At the risk of generalizing, they tend to have a very open sound without harshness.

Just something to think about.

Michael
Koven I have only heard the 'D' series not the nautilus. I still prefer the Dyns especially in the mids and high end. Also the B&W's for me lacked some dynamics.
Some years ago, the only local hi-fi shop in town paired them with classe gear. They (along with the other nautilus's B&W in the lineup) sounded outstanding in a very well treated demo room. At the time I couldn't justify the coin for new 805N's, so I eventually went with a used pair of Joseph Audio monitors. Have never looked back. Very neutral speakers, require good upstream gear. YMMV.