climbing the stairway to heaven: college, 2 way JBL's...junk for the years I was in training, then Vienna Acoustics Mozarts with a REL StataIII sub. I have been actively auditioning for several years...and am about to purchase Harbeth Compact 7 ES3's for a bedroom(13x13xx8'. My references are rebuilt Quad 57's, Vandy 5's, and for giant scale..Magico Model 6(I call them Stupidos because of the Price, and Revel Salons) I don't have the space or money for giant large scale speakers, nor do I think they are necessary. For value, I have concluded that Harbeth's or similar BBC type speakers or Quad's offer the best sound for the least (relatively speaking) money, especially in the all important midrange. I have been most moved emotionally by the music I love with Quad's and Harbeths with good but not stupid expensive tube gear and passive preamps.