hi oldaudiophile, any response helpful mate, apart from trolls like yogiboy, though i think his post was removed. although i adore seriously aggressive/fast metal i really love all music. i love al jarreau, early elvis costello and tubeway army, incognito jazzfunk era, hip hop and some classical. i therefore need fairly neutral speakers that can handle all. by old i am thinking 2 to 10 years i suppose, though open to anything really. my approach may be all wrong. what i have done with tv, stereo, etc is to be wiling to buy something that is 1 or 2 or more versions old/used/refurbished, so way less money. i have no other requirement other than volume that sounds good. age, look, condition, etc utterly irrelevant.i believe i need 100/120watts rms if that is ever accurately provided by a manufacturer and sensitivity above 90 and horn type tweeters. this forum has kindly taught me that in the last 24 hours. couple more weeks i may have a clue! i think all i may really learn is the exact speakers i need but cannot afford so will need to make do for a while, but at least will give me something to look out for. i'm happy with that if so. cheers. g.