Sam, I think the power handling specs for Zu are greater then the Vandersteens. I'd have a bit of headroom.
"I tend to agree with Jaybo that the neither the 40.1 nor Definitions will be a substantial upgrade over the 3A Reference, but I also understand the desire to change for the sake of having something new."
Really? considering the price difference, I would think either would be a huge upgrade. That's encouraging to hear though. I really do like the Vandersteens, I just assume spending 3-5 times as much on speakers would give me a better, more truthful, refined and real sound?
Tvad, I have always liked the look of the Audio note an-e's I just read the stereophile review and was surprised that they go that low. They don't look it.
When you heard them, were they in the corners? If so, how was the depth and staging from that position? What about stands. I'll look into them, thanks for the recommendation.