Best value Bookshelf speaker

I went to listen to the Von Schweikerts and two customers who were just leaving said "don't bother, we just did a comparison with the Focal Chorus 807's- blew them away"

They did sound incredible. Soundstage and imaging were fantastic. Much better than the Vienna Acoustic Haydns I heard yesterday.

I may just buy them tomorrow for $750 out the door. I know I won't be disappointed based on the way they sounded and he was running SS Cambridge Amp/Pre-amp. I'll be using ARC tube gear.

I also listened to some Totems which sounded nice but nearly as well as the Focals. Couldn't touch the imaging/soundstage.

The only issue is I really nead to stay with the 806 due to size constraints. The only dif is a 6 1/2" mid vs the 7" in slightly smaller cabinet. My sub should handle any low end missed but these speakers already had very nice low-end.

Agree--Merlin TSM's-

James,

I really really urge you to at least listen to the Polk Audio's, if you can get past the name and plan on keeping the speakers for awhile I think you'll be suprised at how bad they'll make most of the speakers mentioned in this thread look.

I did get a chance to listen to some Polks but don't believe they were the lsi9's. Unfortunately it was at Fry's which is a big box electro store and the audition was under very poor conditions.

If I can find a higher end store I'll give them a try but again, for my music tastes I really liked the Focal speakers.

If anyone is still following this thread, I did buy the Focal 806's today after another listen. Still feel the imaging and soundstage are wonderful. I'm sure there are plenty of other speakers out there to keep me confused but I went with the Focals and so far feel great about it.

Thanks for the inputs.