As someone that seriously got in to audio 3 1/2 years ago, I'd like to offer a perspective that I've found invaluable. I made quite a few mistakes in my early purchases, especially in speakers, and I have to strongly urge that you either seek out a local shop that will allow you to seriously audition any speakers you're considering or consider internet based speaker companies with generous return policies. HiFi sound is so subjective that you simply cannot rely on reviews or suggestions from others other than to narrow or expand the models you're considering.
Additionally, don't rely on a relatively brief listening session in an environment that doesn't match where you'll be setting them up, or where the rest of the equipment doesn't match what you'll be playing through them.
As an example, my own decision on my current speakers came after I had settled a couple years ago on B&W 804 Diamond speakers and was contemplating an upgrade to the B&W 803 D3 speakers when they came out last year. I went to my local dealer that I'd been working with, and listened to them through the same equipment I had at home for about an hour. My dealer also recommended that I listen to the Wilson Audio Sabrina and I gave them a quick listen as well. I'd heard Wilson speakers at shows before, and had frankly never been overly impressed with them.
I wasn't ready to make a decision that day, and started thinking about the speakers and doing some independent research. When I had the funds to make the purchase, I decided I really needed to give the Sabrina a fairer shake, so I arranged for another audition compared to the 803D3. I brought along a couple of my audio friends, and we spent about three hours with several records I'd brought along (my serious listening is all vinyl), and hooked up to the exact same turntable, cartridge, preamp (with on-board phono preamp) and amplifier. I was surprised that after 3 hours, I'd come to the conclusion that I overwhelmingly preferred the Sabrina for jazz and classical, and very slightly preferred the 803D3 for rock.
Final step was an in-home audition of the Sabrina. My room, my exact equipment and my listening habits. The dealer brought them to me, set them up and left them for a long weekend. I had to pay about $200 for delivery and pickup, but for $16,000 speakers I considered it money well spent.
