Paradigm vs Dali vs PMC

Well then the FB1+ will probably knock your socks off withits bass response.

For pure accuracy and ease of placement the Paradigm are probably the best choice - they have an extremely even response. You can see they have a waveguide on the tweeter so they match the limited dispersion of the all too large midrange driver to get as even response as possible. The more rigid drivers in the Pardigm will give a bit of out of band ringing or sheen to the music - you need to decide if you can live with that.

I won't commment on the Dali - I am not a fan of ribbon tweeters - they often tend to have distortion low down in their frequency range - although extremely expensive ribbons in teh best speakers can be exceptionally good (but why pay $200 for a ribbon tweeter that a $29 soft dome vifa can compete with in a mid level design)

Do you have an opportunity to listen to the vandersteen 2ce signature II or the 1c? These are probably the best value in speakers.also, the new signature II has supposedly gotten rid of the recessed highs that characterized the previous version.try these at a good dealer and it is hard to spend money on anything else in their price range.

In response...

There is a new FB1i - supposedly am upgraded tweeter and crossover. Although from what I have read the OB1i, which is about 40% more expensive, is a great unit as it has a separate midrange and bass driver, but bass could be overpowering for my room. Although the transmission line design effectively has forward firing bass through the front of the speaker...

Can't get a hold of vandersteen - would have to travel interstate....

With regard to Dali, they have dual tweeter - soft dome for the lower high's and ribbon for the range above that, SO perhaps that solves the distortion issue. However I still thought the low-midband was lacking fullness.

With Paradigm, does the signature series have the more rigid drivers? (the Beryllyium?)

I have owned FB1, extensively auditioned OB1, and now own IB2.
I have auditioned some speakers from Paradigm and Dali lineup.
Considering that I speak from my preferences perspective, simply put I do not like Paradigm, would consider Dali, with OB1 being the top choice from your list.
OB1 does not have tremendous bass despite TL design and advertised specs, after all the size of LF driver is determining factor.
I do not believe OB1 would be capable of filling up large room, thus the likelihood of overpowering your room is low.
And as always, auditioning is the best approach.