the smoothest sounding speaker

Mrtennis - until one has heard a system that is both smooth and resolving, it is hard to conceptualize. I have been fortunate enough to hear a few systems that are highly resolving of fine detail, yet produce no grit, glare or edge in the music. I do not equate smoothness with an overall excess of warmth and lack of fine detail. I think most people consider a system smooth if it lacks those unwanted artifacts of grit, glare, edge and sharpness.

I consider myself extremely fortunate in that my own system has evolved over the years to the point where I experience just that combination of excellent detail resolution without any of the downsides usually associated with such systems.

How about refined and resolving ? Some components can sound either grainy or they can sound what I would call raw. I am currently auditioning a mighty fine sounding interconnect, which on first hearing I described as smooth yet beautifully nuanced and/or detailed. Upon reconsideration, I decided refined was a better description, since unlike the common association of loss of detail with "smooth", I hear plenty of information.

Vienna Acoustics...Nice and smooth

Smooth and resolving do not have opposite connotations, we just think that because in audio gear there tends to be a trade-off. But when I go to Symphony Hall or the Wang Center, I hear rich, vibrant, resonant (hihgly resolved)music that doesn't irritate or fatigue(smooth). Occasionally a product comes out that pushes the existing smoothness/resolution state of the art. Products like Spica TC50s, pass Labs Alephs, and the latest AtmaSphere amplifiers (these had always sounded a bit fatiguing to me unitl the latest rev, but now sound highly resolving and smooth).

Have any smooth seekers tried the Harbeth P3SER?