I am a real fan of Aerial products, but I have to disagree on the model 8 as the bass can be overwhelming in most rooms. I'd go for the 7B if I were choosing between the Aerial and the Proac. That said, I'd look for a used pair of 10Ts for around $4000 give or take. These remain one of the very best loudspeakers, especially for the money, and are much better than the other Aerial mentioned.
Aerial 7bs or Proac Response 2.5?
I've been scuttling around the state of NC listening to speakers, as I'm thinking of upgrading from my Vandersteen 2ce Signatures. So far, I've heard the Revel F30s, a set of B&Ws floorstanders (didn't catch the model number, but they ran about $2500) The ProAc Response 2.5s, the Vandersteen 3a Signatures, the Aerial 8b, 7b, and 6s, with the Sonus Faber Grand Pianos and Vienna Acoustics Beethoven to come. That's about it for the high-end pickings hereabout, and so far the ProAcs and Aerial 7bs are my favorites. Any opinions? I'm looking for a more resoved, clearer, speaker than the Vandersteens, but that will have low listening fatigue. I'll be running them with Audio Research equipment, likely, although I might be willing to rematch electronics to a speaker I love.