laid back speakers

B&W? Don't think I would ever call them laidback.
You could also try some Cardas quadlink. They can smooth things out a bit, add some fullness and depth. I quite like them even though I have more expensive cables.

Vandersteen, Just awesome.
I have 2ce sigs I was so impressed I upgraded to 5A comming in about 2 weeks. But the 2ce I haven't hear anything as good for the price they are really transparent and easy to listen to.

>>However, you are VERY wrong about describing it as warm<<

Hmmmm.....VERY wrong, huh?

From Stereo Times Review --

"the VR-1 captures a lot of midrange meatiness and warmth...the treble in general seemed a bit recessed."

From Enjoy The Music --

"Bass response, while hardly room-shaking, is fuller and warmer than any minimonitor I recall." 

From Sound Stage ---

"The VR-1 certainly isn’t bright-sounding...couple that with the weighty bottom end and a tinge of warmth through the mids, and it all makes for a surprisingly open and full-bodied presentation."

Seems I am not the only one who describes the VR-1's as sounding, "warm."

Either we are all VERY wrong, or this is just a matter of opinion-- and you are apparently in the minority :-).

>>or recommending it as a laid back loudspeaker.<<

Here's what I wrote --

04-05-05: Rsbeck

Von Schweikert VR-1. Warm, easy to drive, great sounding, imaging, soundstage, detail, etc.

>>but not laid back.<<

I did not call them, "laid back." Though the poster claims to want "laid back" speakers, I still think he should put the VR-1's on his audition list.

Spendor 3/1s, 2/3s, ProAc Response 2S. Merlins and Dynaudios are NOT warm and laid back and I think they'd sound awful with a bright, forward sounding amp. Spendors are easy to drive, much eaiser than the Vandys, but then you'd have to buy stands and, with the 3/1s, keep them at least 2 ft from the wall behind them.

Why dont we reverse the thread, and give a list of speakers that would sound TERRIBLE with said "bright" SS amp (putting aside the fact that he might consider the amp instead)...

Thiel, Dynaudio, Merlin, Audio Physic immediatley come to mind.