Floor standing
Did you notice that the Bose were positioned on an end cap or some other place AWAY from the other speakers. This is done on purpose to discourage direct comparison. the human ear has no memory. It's very hard for you to hear a speaker and then listen to another and make a determination unless they are switched back and forth A-B. Also never listen to more than two pair at a time, pick one between two and then move on. Again because of the ear's lack of memory thing.
First rule. Floor standing ALWAYS sounds better period. end of discussion.
Sound is just moving air. the more air you move in a given volume of airspace the more air you are likely to affect that touches you and your eardrums.
That said with the exception of actively amplified speakers, speakers are generally passive electronics and a good pair of speakers is going to last a very long time, unless of course you get them from a frat boy.
My suggestion is find a good pair of used speakers made by a SPEAKER company. Since speakers are the most subjective part pf the system, their retail prices rarely matches up with the sum cost of their parts, therefor they have the highest markup in the industry.
In an industry where every manufacturer has to come out with new stuff, its easy enough to get slightly old stuff for a great price, because the same audio nut that is constantly upgrading his stuff, is upgrading his speakers too, even though the technology in speakers changes very slowly. There is only so much you can do to a transducer. Most of the time you are giving it a new suit and putting it back on the rack.
In my humble opinion nothing touches Hybrid Electrostats, namely Martin Logan. If you've never heard any and insist on spending less than a 1000 on speakers, then I suggest you never do...everything else you hear after will just be disappointing. If you have questions or would like help, let me know.
Your Friend in Audio,
Paul
