[quote user="pandaiwmm"]
Thank you so much, dan. Coincidently I was reading one of your other unrelated posts when I went back to check on my thread - what a coincidence! That tip about the Monitor Audio's is much appreciated. I didn't realize that the 'sevenoaks' shop I kept reading about had many branches as I thought they were just in Kent! Apparently I have one 30 miles away in Southampton so will pay a visit as the Monitor Audio BR5 was one of the speakers I have been looking at online today. So now I have a shortlist:
Monitor Audio BR5 (are the BR7's worth the extra, I wonder?) or RS6 from ebay
Wharfedale Evo2-30 (loved my old Wharfedales so any other recommendations from them welcome)
B&W 602 or 603 (latest B&W over my budget of £300 - £450)
Kef IQ5.
Paul.
[/quote]
The monitor audio's gave me quite a shock as i said before, i'm a massive fan of B&W's and for the 1st time ever (for me) they were out performed!
For the speakers you've got for above:
KEF IQ5's or the IQ5SE's - Id leave them alone. The tweeter is integrated into the mid/bass driver and i've never liked that. The speakers dont really suit fast bassy music or rock (in my opinion anyways)
Wharfdales - Never really listen to them hardcore but when i have they have been awful. They didnt have good control over the music at all, as if they couldnt cope!
B&W's - The new 600 range is pricey yes, but good. The latter 600 range you can get anywhere from the 600's to the 605's on Ebay if you search hard enough and often enough. The standmount 602 S2's or the 602 S3's are amazing. With the right stands they have superb bass which is fast and punchy and plenty deep enough with great midrange and spot on treble. The 603 S2's or the 603 S3's (floorstanders) are very good BUT need a big enough room for them to breathe in as they can kick out a fair whack of bass (with the right amp they'll rock the house) but again, its fast and punchy with great midrange and spot on treble again. There are some 602 S3's, 603 S2's and 603 S3's on Ebay currently. Well worth looking at! All B&W speakers in this range are easy to drive and your NAD C320BEE has plenty of power as i had that partnered with the 602 S3's at one point!
Monitor Audio - If you're thinking of the BR5's then you cant rule out the RS6's as theyre only £450 @ Sevenoaks and well worth every penny! They outclass the BR5's left, right and centre with ease! Dont get me wrong, the BR5's are very good speakers for the buck but the RS6's just shine so much better! I didnt see the BR7's but did get to audition the RS8's as well which were fantastic but these sound better when bi-amped and cost £600 new @ Sevenoaks with the discount (i think).
With your NAD C320BEE i'd be tempted to go for either the M/A RS6's or the B&W floorstanders. They'll all suit your music down to a tee and believe me, they'll rock the house with no problem!