sonus faber, vienna acoustics, proac

Second with the Sonus Faber. VA would probably be too bright and fatigue for your taste. Try female vocal (especially ones with high highs) on these two speakers using the same gear and you'll pick SFGP. Just for kicks, you can try playing some mezzo sorprano from any opera. You'll likely want to turn the volume down with the VA or worst case, stop the cd player.

Wow,that is the first time anyone said Vienna Acoustics are bright.

Tim

Thanks guys for your advice. But so far, nobody mentioned ProAc. Is ProAc not a candidate for my taste?

I've been using 2.5s for 7 years and love the heck out of 'em. Currently use a 9 wt 300B amp in a small room (11 x 13.5) and get all the volume I need. They are musical speakers that work well with a wide variety of amps even though they are only 86db efficient. They also have a very stable and easy impedance curve and a very benign crossover phase angle, which two things are as much and maybe more important than efficiency.

I have attempted to sell them a couple of times and just seem to not be able to let go. Just a week ago I ordered a pair of Merlins and have a buyer for the ProAcs but to be honest, I tried to back out of my own deal! I am selling them but they'll be missed but I'm sure the magical Merlins will more than ease my "pain". (And my wife won't let me keep both!) The 2.5s are the definition of smooth and non-fatigueing sound, and neutral in the most enjoyble of musical ways. Check out audioreview.com for lots of opinion on them.

(I understand, from people whose ears I trust, that the Merlins will take that musicality to a whole other level.)

Third the Sonus Fabers. The older Concertos are more musical than the HOMES. However, I have heard the PMC's, both the TB2 and LB1 with Bryston electronics. They are sonically accurate, clean and musical as well. Moving from the FB1's to the GP's may just give you the sound you're looking for.

Cannot comment on the other 2 speakers that you've listed as I haven't heard of them.