Contrary (happily) to what Mahandave believes, B&W makes some of the best loudspeakers on the planet. ALso contrary to Mahandave (again, happliy), a Krell product is not crap just because it is a Krell product- it may be crap (for the money)(or just plain crap period) but not solely because Krell manufactured it. Similarly, Mark Levinson definately makes some of the best products in the world (see Levinson, Madrigal, Mark Levinson, Red Rose Music) and just because a product is popular with the high dollar gang, does not mean that the "enlightened" jaded, poorer but somehow all-knowing audiophile (I'm assuming that Mahandave sees himself this way) is correct in asserting that it is "too popular". Perhaps. Perhaps not. But back to my topic, I own Nautilus 805 speakers from B&W. I love them. Are there better speakers on the planet? No. Just kidding. OF COURSE THERE ARE!!!. For retail US $2k... I doubt it.
My experience (check the feedback if you question my experience or ethical MO) is that I would suggest to you that the speakers you mentioned are all significantly different such that any opinions offered would be just that- Opinions. It's like saying which is better, Joseph Audio or Meadowlark Audio. I'm sure that there are rabid proponents of each. I heard similarly priced models side by side, and preferred one over the other by a wide margin. But this was with one set of gear. With a different set of interconnects, it could have swung the other way. IF you're looking for speakers, I say, take a trip to hear some speakers. You might find some other speakers along your quest that you come back to later (like me and my 805s, which I heard while looking for a "big" speaker). It is entirely possible that you will find the set of speakers you "want" to like, and not like them at all. Or, maybe they'll totally light your fire. I think that posts like the one from Mahandave should be taken with a grain of salt. Guides like Audioreview.com and Stereophile's recommended components are certainly a good place to start. I would suggest, if you have the scratch, that you narrow down your list a bit, and then use www.audiosurvey.com (unless you have local dealers) to find a mail order company that carries at least 2 of the brands. Speak to the dealer, and (here's where the $$ comes in) have him or her send you the demo pairs of the speakers you are considering and decide in your home. Unless they are Utopias or Dunlavy 4s or Wilsons the shipping will probably be less then a couple of hundred $, and you will have gotten to hear them with your gear in your room.
I hope that this rant at the very least, inspires you to consider your own opinion as the most important, and to take all advise (even mine, chum)with a humongous grain of salt.
