Need a speaker for the blues lover...

Beernut, sorry if this is too late. I was waiting for a specific model number from a friend. But if your deal does not go through or you are not satisfied, this could be a fall-back.

A year or two ago this friend built a pair of speakers with components from Parts Express. I would not say they were the cleanest or most refined speakers I've ever heard but what they did was to sound like electric guitar, bass, and organ in a blues club. Whatever limitations or deviations they possessed might show up on symphonic music but for down and dirty blues, it was "you are there". Here is the link -

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=290-409

They were also great with rock and the little jazz I heard on them.

Beernut- the RF-52 was the room friendly newer model I was considering. Listen for a while and give your impressions if you get a chance. Would love to know what you think of them. My Fortes are fun to have, but boy are they big and fugly. I wanted something that I could use with my T-amp. The cheapest "full range" going, 12wpc and "Speaking in Tongues" sounds absolutely awesome. Also, they were much less than any newer models I could find, effectively an old cartridge and a cable from my closet!

I have had the RF-52's on order for 3 weeks now and still don't have them. I strongly considered the new ZU Omen as well but just couldn't stretch the budget that far at this time.. They too are very efficient..