I owned the 8871s and loved them. They are beautiful though very big (about 53 inches high and 200lbs) and are very coherent and dynamic. They are definitely a best buy for the money and I think are in the same league as the verity parcifals and Talons Khoruses both of which are terrific speakers which I have also owned. I sold them because they were a little big for my NYC apt, but other than that would have kept them.
