Phaelon - no offense, but I do not understand your statement that "one of the things Im taking away from the above posts is that a primary virtue of these speakers is that they play loud." They have tremendous tone and dynamics and presence. They play big, but they do not play loud unless you crank up the volume. Yes, they are capable of loud volumes, but I never listen at loud volumes; and at night and weekend mornings I listen at low volumes. Yet, they still have the same tone, and they still have presence without being played loud. They do have a long break-in period, and they do take months to evolve. I have a 300b SET, and it is simply sweet.