Thanks for the link; I see the only Monitor Audio "dealers" in the Denver, CO area are "custom installers", not sure what they'd have in stock for me to listen to.
One of the most frustrating things about buying new speakers is getting to hear them first, as taste preferences vary widely from person to person and what one person's ears like, another person doesn't. Some people love B&Ws and Sonus Fabers, I think they mask too much in the mids, some like PSBs, I think they're a bit too mid-range forward, some like Philharmonic, Monitor Gold and Avalons, but I haven't heard any of those in person, which I'd certainly love to do if I had the opportunity. Trouble is, I don't.
I'm only on Paradigm's side here because out of what I've heard in person I like them the most.....but I'm sure there's other speaker manufacturers out there who might make a better speaker for what my ears like........trouble is, I can't know until I hear that particular speaker in person. I just emailed Philharmonic to see if there's any way I can audition his speakers in person in my area. I'm just now remembering that Avalon Acoustics is based in Boulder, might be worth giving them a try.