RMAF Loudspeakers?

I enjoyed myself at RMAF and here are some of my thoughts:

1) Moscode/Von Schweikert room was very disapointing. Tiny sound with very little bass.

2) Merlins were very nice. Perfect size for the room. Bobby was an interesting fellow.

3) GR Research speakers packed a whollop! Best bass ever.

4) Joseph Audio/Bel Canto melted my heart. I could have lived in both of those rooms.

5) The best sound to my ears were the Vandersteen 7's. It's a crime they cost $45k though.

6) I thought the Salk HT4s produced a small, anemic sound for their size, but they were also only about 4' apart so it could have been that.

Was the Classic Audio demo the room on the main floor (really big, wide speakers)? I popped in there a couple times and left almost immediately... don't really remember why.

Joseph Audio Pearl - the best sound and value for the upper end.
Reference 3A Grand Veena - not to far from the Pearl, could the best overall value in speakers.
Harbeth HL5- great midrange.
Emerald Physics- very good dynamics and sound, might be do to the great Wyred amps!
Peachtree Nova and Zu Essense were a pleasre to listen to.
Soundsmith Dragonfly and Monarch were the leaders in less expensive monitors.
Almost forgot the Revel Salons in the trailer, best mobile stereo sytem I've ever heard.
Thought the Genesis 7.1 sounded good but is the same price range as the Grand Veena, unfortunately.

Why 95+dB as a priority. Why place limits or requirements above sound?

10-06-09: Bjesien
Why 95+dB as a priority.

Because I want to use low powered tube amplification.

To get 105dB peaks on a 90dB speaker at 10 feet from the speakers requires 156wpc. To get 105dB peaks on a 95dB speaker requires 50wpc. Big difference. Many more affordable 50wpc tube amps than 150wpc tube amps.

For a detailed explanation, click the link about speaker sensitivity reprinted from Musical Fidelity on this Daedalus Audio webpage.

Grant
Have you heard any of the Tonian offerings Look at the phy drivers it may just be up your alley.

I also want to mention Tony Minasian is a great guy to deal with -that always helps !