Forgiving, musical speaker....

With all due respect but when you ask for a "Forgiving, musical speaker"..."but {not} too detached or polite...." you might be asking for a contradiction. Perhaps you might be better off with a very neutral speaker (with good depth) and a high quality equalizer?

09-08-12: Unsound
With all due respect but when you ask for a "Forgiving, musical
speaker"..."but {not} too detached or polite...." you might be
asking for a contradiction.

It seems like a contradiction,
but it's more of a paradox. Such speakers are out there--speakers that present a
full, detailed experience without driving people out of the room with hyper detail
and tipped-up treble. Examples include the Mirages, Spendors, and Ohms
already mentioned, and a stellar example is Sonus Faber, which somehow
delicately balances a wealth of detail with a full-bodied presentation that is
seductively musical on a wide variety of material.

It seems like a contradiction,
but it's more of a paradox. Such speakers are out there--speakers that present a
full, detailed experience without driving people out of the room with hyper detail
and tipped-up treble.
Johnnyb53

That's exactly what I experience with the Audio Physics except I might use the word etched or harsh when describing the irritating treble. Although I love the Kestrels, I always felt they lacked detail. The closest I came with floorstand speakers was the Thiel 1.6. The soundstage/imaging was very close to the Kestrels and did provide the detail. Unfortunately they lacked the natural warmth of the Kestrels. The Audio Physics give it all to me.
I will say though, those Mirage speakers are attractive.

Johnny had good ears...and similiar tastes...i always loved the older Donus Fabrt concertos...romantic presentation with great inner detail and midrange realism...

Toward the end of 1996 I bought a pair of Mirage M5si's. They still anchor my 7.2 HT system. In early 1997 I auditioned a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Pianos and I marveled at how similar their tonal balance was to my Mirages. And although the SF's are front-firing and the Mirages bipolar, they had a similar effect in energizing the room as well.

Recently I listened to a pair of SF Cremona Ms. They're a great example of balancing low level detail with a lush, enticing musical presentation. If I had $10K sitting around, I'd have a pair ASAP.