Kevin- Trelja and Brulee are a great 'one-two knockout punch' regarding user-based knowledge on Coincident speakers- TRUST these guys- I do...
One thing I have learned from my discussions with Brulee about these speakers is that room dependency is important. I would love to get the new Super E's, however they will most likely 'overpower' my tiny 8'x10' second bdm (only room available for the 2-channel system). Even the mfr agrees (Israel Blume), and has recommended the 'Partial Eclipse' model for my application.
I live a 1/2 hour from Israel's place here in Toronto, Canada, and have heard his system with the Total Reference. He has an incredible listening room- 20'x40', with poured concrete, rounded corners, all dedicated lines, etc. You can imagine how I 'drool' about that after coming back to my 100-yr old apartment building with one crappy old 15-amp circuit for everything! Point is- the Totals work in his large room, and perhaps Brulee can tell you the size of his room, as I know he has been able to make them work quite well.
Israel has also designed an amplification system that I feel is magnificent with his speakers- a bi-amp combo with heavily modified Golden Tube Audio 300B's on mids/highs, and heavily modded Altec triode monoblocks on bass- it is fantastic- extreme signal purity and transparency, and great low-level detail and linearity as well (of course he is using the new Total Reference speaker cable that he mfrs, which is excellent as well- ask Brulee...).
Plus, the Altecs and GTA'a both are two of the most reliable tube amps you will ever find according to Israel- the transformers in each are outstanding. The Altecs even have individual volume control, which allows 'custom tailoring' of the bass to suit your room needs.
Israel has played with many amp combos over the years with his speakers (he also recommends the Manley Neo's as well, and one of his dealers now feels that the new Wytech Labs Topaz is the new 'king of the hill' for SET's), however with the GTA/Altec combo, he has found the ultimate no-compromise system that retains ultimate SET signal purity/transparency in the highs, as well as tight, tuneful (and adjustable!) bass.
In fact, I was so impressed, I just bought his entire personal system! (all 4 amps- speakers to follow). I don't have a digital camera, which is too bad, because the re-built/modded Altec 1570B triode monoblocks are imaculate and drop-dead gorgeous in my personal opinion. Also, the Golden Tube 300B monoblocks are the exact same black/gold colour as my CD player- Audio Aero Capitole 24/192. As time goes on, and I actually get things setup, I will try to post some info on the system- it might be helpful for guys with extremely small rooms like me (a crappy limitation, but what are ya gonna do? ). Many would say that having 170 wpc (triode) monoblocks running bass duty in a room that is only 8'x10' is extreme overkill, and they are probably right (I considered having 300B's only without the Altecs), however, what I have learned from Israel is that even at lower listening levels, the ambient decay; impact, etc. of the bass remains a critical factor to having a homogenous sonic landscape (regardless of volume level).
Anyhow, sorry for rambling, but I am only somewhat qualified at this point to give you proper advice on Coincident, as I have only heard them in the 'ideal' room setup at Israel's. Your results may vary based on amplification (tubes are recommended); room size; cabling; and source; etc.
Brulee and Trelja are imminently more qualified than I re; Coincident (although hopefully, I will play catch-up over the next year!), and are two of the best guys you will meet here on Audiogon- as I said, you can trust their advice regarding this subject (and many others). Good luck!
