I think the mids are nice but the highs and lows are not up to par with the msrp or sale prices I have seen, there is much better out there for much less, they are on my list to go, but baby steps, baby steps.... They sound better when you get away from them, not a great trait for a bookshelf since a lot of people like to use them near field... but if you pull away from them keep them away from back and side walls, toe in and keep the tweeter ear level they are capable speakers, but need a sub {even when I boosted the bass they just got worse}, when I crossed them at 100 to my sw300's and played with placement for a while I got them good, but they were only on the stands a week before I boxed them up..
I look for something special out of a pair of speakers, I have honestly only fell in love with a few, I really like the evo2 series from wharfedale {diamonds are nice too, but not the same, Opus are also rite there with the evo2's but they are more expensive and normally 3 way}, I like the csb1's from carnegie, they surprised me and for a small speaker throw a huge sound stage in my room, cbm170s have a natural sound that can not be found offensive by even the most critical listener, to name a few there are others over the years but I look for a warm inviting sound with no abrasive attributes.... and it seems like speaker builders are going for the opposite of that lately, brightish, forward, ect I think they want them to seem clear and defined but they are ruining the sound.... when you listen to live {acoustic/unplugged} music being played the cymbals and strings don't blast you through the forehead......
