Just to throw a solid-state wrench into this discussion, my later-model Edge NL12 (with the bigger, current model NL-12.1's transformers) produces stunning clarity with my 3.2CRM-FEs (no sub) in classical music with no brightness and authoritative, friendly, detailed, integrated bass. The bass attaches itself to the instrument producing it, rather than being some amorphous blob somewhere in space.
The combo is revealing, though, on popular music, and brightness or close-miked vocals is will come through. But for the majority of recordings (& all classical), the 4th wall just drops away & things sound uncannily real, but with no "hi-fi" artifacts (tizziness, etch, boom, glare, etc.).
The combo is revealing, though, on popular music, and brightness or close-miked vocals is will come through. But for the majority of recordings (& all classical), the 4th wall just drops away & things sound uncannily real, but with no "hi-fi" artifacts (tizziness, etch, boom, glare, etc.).