Focal 1037b /Dynaudio 5.4/B&W 803d

Focal 1037Be is on another level than the Dynaudio and B&W in terms of midrange and tweeter performance and probably the best of the lot overall unless you like prodigious bass slam and then the 803D is the way to go although they can sound closed in in the midrange unless they are driven with a lot of power and the volume knob turned up.

For me, I would not agree with that last post at all. I have beene extensively auditioning speakers and I did not care for the 1037's at all. I found them to be very lacking in the midrange to have some problems in the upper treble. I found human voices to sound very un-natural.

Sounds like you were auditioning them with a problematic front end; I've heard them sound horrible with Parasound electronics and Audioquest silver cables (which Dynaudio sounded pretty good with). They are very neutral; put something not up to par in front of them and you'll hear it.

i think the older Contour series is better than the new one fwiw. i do not like the tweeter placement on the 5.4 at all.

have not heard the 1037s, but have heard the Altos numerous times and never thought they were as good as the wilsons, etc.