Musical Speakers that can provide dynamics for HT

Draw - just to let you know ACI is a factory direct outfit (great reputation and reviews) and I believe offers a 30 day trial. Might be worth waiting...

I am delighted with my Paradigm Active 40s, (with active center, surrounds, and Servo 15 sub) dirven by Antheum AVM2 preamp.

I was in the same boat as you...no Meadowlark dealer here. I actually flew to NYC (because of Meadowlark's reputation) to seek out the perfect loudspeaker for me.

I compared the Meadowlark's to Revel's F-30 ($3500) and their models that were near $5000 and $7500 (at the time.)

The F-30 (which was brand new at the time) lacked so much in comparison to the Meadowlark's performance that I instantly ruled them out of the relm of options.

The more expemnsive Revels sounded good but did not reproduce the same natural mids and bass extension as the Meadowlarks.

The realism in the separation between the musical instruments in Meadowlark is incredibly life like and they truly "diappear."

The model that I have also has adjustments for better integration with different size rooms.

Even if you do not buy this brand, ck out the web site. I have yet to find music lovers as dedicated to quality and amazing engineering...all crossover components are completely isolated from other speaker components so that they are not affected by any resonnance...Check'm out!!!

Approximately where are you located?

Forget the Amps and Speakers route. I'm almost finished selling my entire Aerial HT system (8bs, CC5, SR3) and Bryston 500Watt Monoblocks for ATC. Check them out. www.atc.gb.net as stereophile voted them system of the year for 2001. Go with the Active 20 Pros.
A pair new will run $6,900. I've seen used pairs on
here once in a while. Research and you won't regret.

Draw, ACI has sold direct for 25 years. In fact, they are probably the leader in direct audio sales. Their reputation is as good as it gets. I've owned a number of their models and heard others, they've all been first rate. Generally their models offer performance and quality that you can spend twice as much for, because they are sold direct. The new Talisman look like it will follow that tradition. For $3500 you have a full range, beautifully built system with integrated amplification for the woofers. One of the things I really like is there new Adaptive Bass system. With built in parametric EQ you should be able to adjust the in-room bass response to be extremely accurate.
I would characterize the ACI "sound" as just a tad on the warm side of absolute neutral. Every Thiel I've heard has had some fantastic qualities but always was a bit to tipped up on the high end for me. The ACI's have the detail, but they don't throw it at you. The balance and overall presentation is much closer to what I've heard from the various Revel demos I've heard. Never had a pair of Revels at home so can't say for sure.
I myself would never buy a speaker that I couldn't home demo for a significant period of time. They never sound the same at home as at the store. Have fun in your search!