Interesting to see this thread as I was just out auditioning speakers yesterday and happened to listen to a pair of Sonatas. They were originally hooked up to some Denon HT thing and were a little bright. We switched them to an Audio Research 120 amp and an AR preamp (not certain of the model no.) and they were beautiful/musical sounding speakers with the tube setup. Not having read Mark's review I just manhandled them into position (using one arm and my hip) and they were still intact (thank God as my speaker budget is $1000.00 :-). You fail to mention whether you have listened to the speakers Ted. Listening is always my first step in forming an opinion on a product. In addition my only "strong". opinions are on equipment that I have actually lived with. I am sorry that Mark had a structural problem with the speakers but suspect that due to the fact that they were not properly repaired that this may have altered the sound of the speakers as well as the whole ordeal in itself. Certainly if I removed a side from one of my speakers, and replaced it with another material and fit, the sonic signature would change. If the speakers are fragile due to their size, weight, selected material and construction method, then so be it. But sound and durability are two separate issues, I would think anyway. I seems to me, Ted, that you may be confusing and mixing these issues. I would also hope that your slashing post comes from first hand experience as their are a lot of opinions on the web that logically cannot all be right.
