Speakers for a small room, looking for feedback

I'm using the ATC SCM10s for the past 5 years and love them. I have yet to find a bookshelf this size that can match ATC's performance.

I have compared Spendor S3/5s to Green Mountain audio europas and found the spendors sounded veiled, lacked transparency, and did not convey a sense of space like the europas. The S3/5 sounded nice, but the europas sounded real.

The europas are very uncoloured sounding, and they do the soundstage thing like no other speaker I've heard (including much better than Spica Angelus and Martin Logans).

They're factory direct only now, but Green Mountain has a new Callisto speaker out soon, that should be available through dealers.

I have never heard any of the other speakers on your list, but the europas strike me as a bit of a bargain.

I heard the two JM Labs today against two Linn models. Both nice, but different. I could probably live with either, but prefered the JM Labs. The JM Labs seemed more open with more inner detail. The midrange and lower bass was great. The tweeter was fine, extended but bright. A little raspy/gritty with certain disc.

I prefered the 926 over the 906. The 926 has the midrange warmth the little speaker cannot convey. Imaging, however, was better with the 906. I think the 926's, however, may be too much in a 12X13 room (6-9 inches from the wall). Will they work in such a small room? Is this an invitation to muddy bass?

At this point, I think it is between the ATC 20's and the JM Labs 926. I also like the ATC 35's, but the tweeter is not as clean (but more bass) & its only available in a natural cherry. I still want to try out the PMC speakers, but at this point I am pretty tired of demoing speakers.

I do not know the rest of your system, but if you are starting from scratch, look at the new high tech active ATC 20's. Built in amplification is the key here and the dynamics will startle you vs the passive plain jane but fabulous 20's. the active 20's are (one of) the best two way speakers I have heard. (and owned) When you get down to it, what with the amps built in, they are sort of a bargin,if anything in high quality hi fi is.

I have receive a lot a good advice over the weeks and it is very much appreciated. D_edwards - your advice has been great & I can relate to the comparisons. Our conversation got me thinking & has brougt up some additional questions. Feedback is defintely appreciated.

I have decided on the ATC 20-2 (high-tech passive), but now wonder if going the active route may be beter in the long run. I would also add a center channel (either passive or active) & leave my existing rear speakers for the foreseeable future.

Going active will cost more in the near term, but I would eventually be able to downize my amp (Cary Cinema 5 amp) & sell off my existing speaker cable (fronts & center).

I have not heard the active speakers, however, and wonder about the tonal qualities of the amp. The 20sl is my room with the Cary amp were very neutral, dynamic and clear without any listener fatigue. Will the ATC amps be more similar to the Cary SS or more neutral like a Krell? Does it have any tendency to be bright? Does the dynamic attributes of going active offset the ability to match the amp to your other components?

What type of balanced cables would be a good match? Given I would need 3 - 3m cables they can get expensive & just make going active too expensive.

I would also want to keep my rear speakers on the low -end of the scale with a lower-end 2 channel amp. The speakers are only used for HT & I feel the expense of going active would be overkill. Is this approach reasonanble?

I realize I have asked a lot of questions. I have searched the internet & the people familar with active tend to prefer it. I just don't have that experience & the intent is to have these speakers at least 10 years. If I am not happy, I think it would pretty hard to sell active speakers that don't have a big name behind them.

Once again, thank you for your thoughts.