I know that when I've head the Simaudio gear in a few dealers show rooms as well as at a buddy's house, they were forward. I've heard the whole Vandy line and forward isn't a description I would use as I've never heard them not have a fairly large soundstage with good imaging. My Treo's and Quatro CT's throw a realistic stage if it's fed that. I've had a lot of gear in teh house and I've heard the soundstage change with each different piece. That's just me.
As for the ET's, I"ve been hearing them since the 90's and have always heard them set up properly. As has been stated, you just need the right room. If you have that and you have very good amps with a lot of power, you will get very good sound. The only problem I've had with them is a bit of coherency issues integrating the bass with the panels. It can be done, but it can cost a bit. I like Vandy's as you can easily run them on good NAD, Rotel or Belles or many of the other nice sounding amps from 500 to whatever and keep getting better and better sound.
As for the ET's, I"ve been hearing them since the 90's and have always heard them set up properly. As has been stated, you just need the right room. If you have that and you have very good amps with a lot of power, you will get very good sound. The only problem I've had with them is a bit of coherency issues integrating the bass with the panels. It can be done, but it can cost a bit. I like Vandy's as you can easily run them on good NAD, Rotel or Belles or many of the other nice sounding amps from 500 to whatever and keep getting better and better sound.