Seeking feedback on Swan, Paradigm and Triangle

I just talked on the phone this afternoon with Steve Deckert (www.decware.com). I want to drive down to Peoria and listen to his Wicked One subwoofer with my Swans:

http://decware.com/wicked1.htm

There's a new Yugoslav audio e-zine which went on line this week. The forums are in English. It looks promising...

www.zero-distortion.com

Well, I really like the Swans. Now I need a better amp for the Swans and a sub.

I currently have a set of Swans M1's in my room. They're not quite broken-in yet but sound pretty nice. They do need to be used with a subwoofer as they're only good to 60Hz or so. Although quite inefficient, they sound very lively when used with my tube amplifier.

Click here for photos.

The Paradigm 60s are nice with good bass, but too harsh for my ears in the high end. I prefer more natural, warm sounding speakers (I guess some would say "tube-like") and the Paradigms just didn't cut it. I went with a pair of Tannoy D500s which sound oh so sweet to my ears. Hpwever, these may too big for your room. Sonus Faber might serve a similar sound in a smaller size, or try Tannoy's other lines if the sound I described appeals to you. They are, in fact, releasing some new lines these days.

I dumped my B&W N804s for the same reason Budrew didn't like the Paradigm 60s! I thought the 804s were shrill in the highs despite everything i tried to correct it. Another reason I guess you have to listen to the speakers on YOUR system if at all possible. What sounds good on one can sound poor on another. My Paradigm 100s are sliky smooth in the highs (many reviewers on audioreview.com agree). Take care
Arthur

OK, I will close this tread from my perspective but let you all continue to chat. My CJ is up and running and after a short side track with CD versus transport, etc. I circled back to speakers. As one of you said above, it comes down to what sounds best in your system. I went through B&K, Paradigm, Joseph, Alon and Meadowlark. I added one other criteria, ease in purchasing. The winner is: Meadowlark Shearwaters. Thank you all. Your input got me to listen to speakers I probably never would have considered. It is time to enjoy the music.