Well, i must say i didn't see this coming, but this heated debate does confirm my suspicion that there are axes to grind, simply because whilst the good old 'Smithean' invisible hand caresses some, it drops others without warning...technological progress is indeed the realm of loosers and winners, and the AVI's are playing tricks...Whether they are justified, i have yet to verify. Personally, it is just counter-intuitive that the AVI's should do a better job that the stdio100 plus suitable amplification (in addition to my lovely DAC magic); now, this is a purely atavistic sentiment, because i never heard them. This is of course what i must do ASAP. However, it is clearly the case that market forces are interfering with the presumed neutrality of this forum, and this is noticeable in the arguments put forward by the previous threads. I am inclined to love the studio 100 with their huge, old - fashion drivers and transparent high range; but suspecting that the AVI's are just....something else, a different dimension of hi-fi, conceptually and sonicaly. Time will tell. Got some listening to do-and have not forgotten my sonic priorities- presence, emotion, transparency-if this is what is what arcam/proac is criticised for (lack of idiosyncrasy); then i hope my speakers lack personality, and only speak the truth.