Coincident Total Eclipse/Avalon Radian

I own a pair of Avalon Avatars. Little brother to the Radians and I've fallen in love with them. They are a little picky on placement but not as bad as other speakers I've lived with. They are perhaps a little layed back so matching them with the proper electronics and cabeling is important. I'm driving them with Gryphon SS amplification and a Audible Illusions Modulus 3A. They simply fill my room with music, they just disappear. They go quite low given the simple two way design and 8" driver. The mids are their strength and the highs are velvety and fast. The highs are very smooth and are probably a result of the "layed back" sound I mentioned. I like the sound but I've had a Sim Moon pre in the system and the highs were a little more aggressive than with the AI Modulus - its a matter of taste. As far as the radians are concerned you will want a good sized room. My room is 18'x22' and the Avatars are plenty of speaker for that sized room. I've heard the Radians and the Eidolons (not in my home) but they have similar characteristics as the Avatars but are more, bigger, deeper and seem to pull a little more detail out of the recording. I've simply fallen in love with my Avatars and really don't desire to make any changes there for the first time in my life. Then again I really would like to take the next step in my pre-amp and if I ever do that who knows what will next need to be upgraded (an insideous illness this is!). If you plan to spend that kind of money you simply need to listen. I never heard the Total Eclipse so I can't compare but the Avalons are a beautiful speaker both sonically and aestetically. My wife actually likes them. If you ever get to the Chicago area look up a shop called Quintescence Audio...It's a great store that really knows how to set up a system and a room. You will hear the Avalons in the best possible light. The owner of Quintescence is a true pleasure to work with.