I said 88db as I felt that would be as realistic for small standmounts, higher would be good as I have a paltry 34 watts! I'm not going active as I love the rest of my system. I used to run LS3/5as +AB1 bass units which I loved, absolutley to my taste and perfect for the system 90% of the time but they did lack some volume and a little bass extension at lower volumes frankly if I could find some with the AB1s I'd probably go back to them..

I'm not sure I could drive Compact 7s properly but I know they sound perfect for my tastes and system. I can't currently stretch to the £1500 odd they cost. So in short I have around £750-1000 for some big standmount or small floorstanders S/H with an easy load and that BBC style sound.

I listen to everything but have a tendency toward Jazz,chilled and and electronic.