Jack,

I know that I can return the speakers if I'm disappointed once I try them here in my own home.  But the odds of being disappointed - with the attendant hassle of packaging the speakers up for return - would no doubt be significantly lessened by hearing them, prior to purchase, in someone else's home.

I don't have anything to compare these against - also I need to buy a receiver as well ... so can't try these at home until I buy that.

So if some kind soul in the New York City/Tri-State area is willing to let me listen to theirs it would help a lot.

Thanks