Aerial 8b,s or Vandersteen 3a sig.

>Vandersteen and Theil are the only speakers that are designed to reproduce the wave of an acoustic instrument I believe<

Incorrect. Add Green Mountain Audio to that list. And as far as time and phase coherent being "better on paper", it's hard to go back once you've had it.

That being said, Vandersteens are way too laid back and docile for me.

Shakey

I like the tonality of the Aerial Acoustic line, but went with Vandersteen because of the better value. But...you already have Aerials! They are certainly the more attractive speakers.

Wireless200, I suspect like many other things, some people are more sensitive these particular attributes than others. Of course other people might be more sensitive to other attributes.
Sardonyxx, there have been, and there continue to be others besides Thiel and Vandersteen.

looks much better on paper than in reality???

Many Vandersteen owners will disagree. Vandersteen and Theil are the only speakers that are designed to reproduce the wave of an acoustic instrument I believe. Vandersteen can be a little "forgiving"

Personally having heard both, I'd stick with the Aerials hands-down. Time-alignment as in the Vandys and well-known in Theils, looks much better on paper than in reality.

I can tell you that if you choose the Vandersteen 3A sigs
you will be in for a treat especially with live music.
The drivers are all in sinc with each other Phase and time correct this preserves harmonics which makes live music
seem more genuine.
The multi enclosure low baffle approach and unique midrange
seem more demensional which allows the speakers to disappear better than any box speaker i have heard.
In your size room they should really settle in nice
Let us know what you think
Good luck Johnnyr

I like both, but prefer the Vandy's.