I bought the original r11s when they went on sale.. originally they were the same price as the metas are now.. I can tell you there is nothing like a tall imposing full range speaker that is over your head when you're sitting down listening.
The r11 does not give you a super wide artificial soundstage which everyone seems to want but it does give a you great depth, yes width and layering that is intoxicating. it's like a wall of sound that you cannot get from a stand mount . I can tell you I will not get a case of upgradites for a long time.. no sub needed