I've read rave reviews on Monitor Audio's, especially the Gold Reference Series. I would love some of them if I could afford them. I try to keep an eye on ebay for them when I can. The links for Ascend is http://www.ascendacoustics.com and Aperion http://www.aperionaudio.com I think one you pay 1/2 shipping and the other is free shipping to you, but you pay full shipping to return them if your not satisfied after 30 days. People on avsforum speak very highly of Ascend CBM-170's, and they are a 2002 Audio Review recommend product.