I sold Krell and B&W a few years ago and know the sound.If your into bass than Krell is your ticket.Nothing has a tighter grip either class A or A/B than krell well maybe but generically this is what they are good at).I think the mids are bit metallic but that's another thing.Most music you listen to is going to have a 40Hrz low point (lowest note on an electric bass).You might want down into 30's but your hearing can only go down to low 20's and then most rooms won't support anything that low (what is it again a wave 56ft. wide?)/But dynamics or slam and room pressurization could make a sub worthwhile.You have to listen to trade off's of if you like a good imaging monitor that disappears and a sub or a two or three+ way that will give you the goods in one box.
$5K gives you lot's of choices new and used.Aerial is a nice speaker just choose by how low you want to go and choose accordingly.if your into HT and want to build on system their are many good choices.If it's music I like multi driver units by Martin Logan,REL,MJ Acoustics,Totem, and for cheap money Aperion.You will get less slam out of a 8",6" or smaller multi driver but all things being equal better pitch and definition of bass.Fot a possible use in HT Velodyne,Fathom and may others are option.More of those have bas equalizers which can really enhance a sub though you can add one like Velodyne SVS after.
Have you heard the 800 series B&W?It's not only bass but imaging depth,width and height.Instead of CM series a used pair of 803 or 803S for about $3K will give you goods without sub and cream the CM series in very respect (tonality,soundstage).I never liked the 804 but 805 for $2K and 803 for $5K were my faves (804 you have up better imaging for not enough bass and soundstage HxWxD).I liked the Krell 300i (before S cheaper) a pair of 803S's which could be found for $1250 and $3000 receptively and latter you could go for even more depth,slam and room pressurization with a sub.I like the $2K new Martin Logan Depth that you could get for 1K or $ a 1250 used.Nice monitor like 805,Aerial 5 , and others at a $2K price point again with sub will give you better "floating image" but my guess is a floor stander that can do it on it's own.Since you seem to like Brit sound and want to save money take a listen to Quad 22L if it's around.NHT went dormant but Classic 4 is a real over performer that has side firring woofer that might again get you where you want to w/o sub.
Cheers
Chazz
$5K gives you lot's of choices new and used.Aerial is a nice speaker just choose by how low you want to go and choose accordingly.if your into HT and want to build on system their are many good choices.If it's music I like multi driver units by Martin Logan,REL,MJ Acoustics,Totem, and for cheap money Aperion.You will get less slam out of a 8",6" or smaller multi driver but all things being equal better pitch and definition of bass.Fot a possible use in HT Velodyne,Fathom and may others are option.More of those have bas equalizers which can really enhance a sub though you can add one like Velodyne SVS after.
Have you heard the 800 series B&W?It's not only bass but imaging depth,width and height.Instead of CM series a used pair of 803 or 803S for about $3K will give you goods without sub and cream the CM series in very respect (tonality,soundstage).I never liked the 804 but 805 for $2K and 803 for $5K were my faves (804 you have up better imaging for not enough bass and soundstage HxWxD).I liked the Krell 300i (before S cheaper) a pair of 803S's which could be found for $1250 and $3000 receptively and latter you could go for even more depth,slam and room pressurization with a sub.I like the $2K new Martin Logan Depth that you could get for 1K or $ a 1250 used.Nice monitor like 805,Aerial 5 , and others at a $2K price point again with sub will give you better "floating image" but my guess is a floor stander that can do it on it's own.Since you seem to like Brit sound and want to save money take a listen to Quad 22L if it's around.NHT went dormant but Classic 4 is a real over performer that has side firring woofer that might again get you where you want to w/o sub.
Cheers
Chazz