I'll second what Timo suggested. The PSB's sound phenomenal. I didn't buy these only because of the low WAF regarding their looks. Big, black boxes. They sounded better than the CDM9's I ended up with for the same money. The Paradigm's are nice too. I liked the B&W's a little better. I haven't heard any of the others mentioned. Spend far more for the fronts than for the rest. These guys' ideas are right on regarding that.
Speakers to compare to Paradigm Studio 100 V.3
I am getting ready to build a stereo/surround system and I really like the sound of the Paradigm studio 100's. I would be getting the full set (5 speakers + 15" servo sub... the recommended system on the paradigm website). Are there some other brands i should consider at this same price point ($5500 - for the set of 5 and the sub)? The speakers will be used as 2 channel stereo the majority of the time, with surround being not as important. Power comes from a Denon 3803 for now until i can add an adcom or rotel 2 channel for the 100's.