Ozzy, Your comment got me thinking more that i have not thought this through at the system level. I did not mention that back when I was trying to decide between the NHT 2.9s and Snell Es I discovered that creating an offset "linear array" with the Snells on a high shelf above the NHTs sounds the best. They are both bi-amped, so I drive with 4 amps total. Now that I think about it, this will probably mess with the imaging of of Vandersteens, unless i ditch the Snells.
Right now it sounds quite good despite the room, though imaging could be better, but maybe only in theory, not my room.
I would not be trading tne NHTs but would end up selling what ever speakers are 2nd best after testing. The vandys are going to have to sound a lot better for me to win over my wife given the decorating downgrade.