Just my $0.02: The associated gear can make a world of difference here, as can the acoustic environment. I've heard Thiels sound like crap, but I've also heard them sound wonderful. Likewise for Wilson. At one HE show, Von Schweikert was demoing the VR4jr, and the sound was just OK with a DK Designs integrated. Down the hall, Moscode was using the same speaker to demo their tube-hybrid amp and the sound was fantastic.
