Musical Speakers that can provide dynamics for HT

Forget the Amps and Speakers route. I'm almost finished selling my entire Aerial HT system (8bs, CC5, SR3) and Bryston 500Watt Monoblocks for ATC. Check them out. www.atc.gb.net as stereophile voted them system of the year for 2001. Go with the Active 20 Pros.
A pair new will run $6,900. I've seen used pairs on
here once in a while. Research and you won't regret.

Draw, ACI has sold direct for 25 years. In fact, they are probably the leader in direct audio sales. Their reputation is as good as it gets. I've owned a number of their models and heard others, they've all been first rate. Generally their models offer performance and quality that you can spend twice as much for, because they are sold direct. The new Talisman look like it will follow that tradition. For $3500 you have a full range, beautifully built system with integrated amplification for the woofers. One of the things I really like is there new Adaptive Bass system. With built in parametric EQ you should be able to adjust the in-room bass response to be extremely accurate.
I would characterize the ACI "sound" as just a tad on the warm side of absolute neutral. Every Thiel I've heard has had some fantastic qualities but always was a bit to tipped up on the high end for me. The ACI's have the detail, but they don't throw it at you. The balance and overall presentation is much closer to what I've heard from the various Revel demos I've heard. Never had a pair of Revels at home so can't say for sure.
I myself would never buy a speaker that I couldn't home demo for a significant period of time. They never sound the same at home as at the store. Have fun in your search!

Westlake Audio speakers will deliver all that you are asking for. They have been builiding speakers for studios for 30 years. In this application (studio) dynamics,tonal accuracy, and midrange clarity are paramount. Engineers and producers hear the actual voice or instrument live in the recording room and then through high grade microphones (usually anyway) in the studio monitors. If the dynamics and tonal accuracy are not spot on, the producer and/or engineer will notice. Westlake has survived in this tough environment for a long time.

Also, see Mike Fremer's review in the Nov. stereophile for additional information on one of Westlake's hi-fi minimonitors. Trust me, once you've heard a favorite DVD on Westlake's, other home theater speakers sound lifeless - no matter the pedigree or the cost.

Use your ears - not the reviews, and you will find a great speaker (Westlakes or another brand of your liking). Don't buy something just because it is well reviewed or popular. Work with good dealers in your area and listen to various products and price ranges. Always use material you are familiar with - and don't assume that you "know" what the material is supposed to sound like. Once you listen to enough speakers, you will start to zero in on the best from the various sets of compromises inherant in every speaker design. Hopefully, you will find a speaker that gives you the fewest compromises and the best sound. Keep in mind that what sounds best to you, may be different than what the dealer likes best or what certain reviewers like best. If you can, take along a female friend. They (females) tend to have better hearing and may pick up on major flaws. If you are a female - take a friend to help you confirm your observations. Anyway...enjoy

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into ACI and Meadowlark. I'm in Dayton, OH so there isn't much available to demo. I'll look into Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis.