Forgive my possibly rehashing old threads, but I currently have a Cambridge SoundWorks Ensemble II system (driven by an old NAD 3155 amp) that I absolutely LOATHE--decent bottom; harsh and tinny mids and highs. I never realized how headache-inducing these things are till I upgraded my CD player... but I digress.
Anyhow, I'm looking at new bookshelf speakers that I can mount to the walls in place of the CSW sats. I've narrowed down my selections to:
Ascend Audio cbm-170 Axiom M-2 or M-3 B&W DM303, DM 600/01 Epos ELS3 NHT SB1 Paradigm Mini Monitor PSB Alpha B or Image B-15
My main criteria are: size (speakers must be wall mountable and less than 13.5" high); and, well, smoothness or sound (not harsh, not "colored"). My listening tastes run the gamut from Rock/pop to jazz. I plan (in the short term) to make up for any low-end inadequacies with my current bass unit, the SoundWorks II passive woofer. (Am I fooling myself with this belief?) My living room is approx 12'x19,' so "filling" the space shouldn't be a big problem.
I'm not a super-critical, got-me-a-listening-room-setup-with-foam-baffles-onna-wall type of listener, but I like "rich," detailed sound. Suggestions, comments, etc? Thanks and much obliged!
Within your list, I would go for the Epos ELS3( earned a Category C in Stereophile = highly accomplished for the price). But do give the Ascend CBM-170 a spin as they are also highly acclaimed (you will be using the CSW II sub, so bass shy factor shouldn't be a problem. Both have very good midrange and fits your "rich/detailed" sound spot on. Others are IMO quite good too but nothing remarkable.