Coincident speakers

I have Super Eclipse III's as well and love them. I've used them with an 8 watt SET amp, where they were the closest thing to the speed of horns I've found in a floorstander in that price range. I'd say they are lightening fast and very detailed speakers that are also very revealing of what you feed them. I'm now using 150 watt Modwright KWA 150 amp and that also pairs very well with the the SE III's, taking a firm grasp of the low-end, while still delivering the magic throughout the range. The SET renders a more holographic stage, while the KWA is also no slouch there but is just a cut below in only that department. Other than that I actually prefer the SS amp there as a more versatile companion, and for the greater extension without the typical SS price to pay in the case of the KWA. I've heard his speakers with his own SET amps at one of the shows (one of the Victory line) and they revealed very similar open and revealing character. The upper end seemed slightly better with the Victory's I heard. They're beautifully finished as well. Overall I'd say my experience with them bring the following to mind first: Speed, dynamics, clarity. They do a whole lot well, but I was really impressed with those aspects of their performance.

It may help to get feedback to let us know a bit about the rest of your system, musical preferences, etc (ie why do others think these would be something you would like?). Also, Israel Blume makes a whole range of speakers from small to large, and varying in price...which were you considering?

Chas - The experience I have had with Coincident floorstanders, and specifically with my current SE III's, certainly do NOT remind me at all of Harbeth 7's. The Harbeths are one of the most laid back speakers I've heard. They present a soundstage that is well behind the speakers. I'd say the Coincidents are a different flavor in that regard. They are more forward and probably have more emphasis on the revealing side...perhaps a bit more dynamic and fuller. They pull you in. I'd put the Harbeth's that I heard in a far more natural, I want to say 'relaxed' realm, and definitely very laid back. That is not meant as a qualitative statement. Only an observations that the two speakers definitely are not in the same family as far as presentation. I enjoyed the Harbeths, but they were definitely not my preference - I prefer something a bit more forward myself. Just thought you'd be interested in that observation.

Are your speakers wired for 12 ohm or 6 ohm. Could be the reason the SET worked

The SE III's have a very flat curve at 10ohms and are 97db efficient at 10 ohms. It is as much the flatness of the response curve as it the sensitivity that contributes to their compatibility with SET, but there are certainly all kinds of reasons they do work well with SET. Simply being rated at "6 or 12 ohms" does not necessarily mean they'll work well with SET. I used mine with a pair 8 watt 300B based SET amps and they worked superbly in that application. The only aspect of performance I really missed was extension at both ends and that was more the amp than the speaker. The ss amp I'm currently using solved that, but at some expense to that holographic staging that SET is so good at.

I also sit nearfield - around 7-8 feet from the speakers which is the minimum Blume recommends for those speakers. I cannot think of another speaker they sound like in terms of a dynamic-driver speaker. They do remind me somewhat of the sound of a horn speaker in that way, but ultimately nothing but a horn sounds like a horn. Perhaps some of the Vienna Acoustics floorstanders have reminded me of the sound (Beethoven mini Grand), but my exposure there is pretty limited (only heard them at shows and have never owned them).

Hope that helps.