Wendy and Eugene2,
I have a pair of Firebirds driven by a Pass X350.5 via VD Master bi-wires. The VD cables really filled out the tonal balance. I'm anticipating the arrival of Pass XA100 amps to replace the X350.5. I find that I'm not using anywhere near even half the power potential of the 350.5, and I love (and miss) that SE sound after a couple years with an Aleph. MF assured me the XA100 would be a great match (not that the X350.5 wasn't).
Wendy, from your pictures it looks like you have your speakers on ceramic floor tiles over wall-to-wall carpet? I'd strongly recommend that you have a couple granite slabs(absolute black=perfect match for Talon met blk) made that will provide a more solid foundation and tighten the bass while opening up the lower mid-upper bass transition. It's really amazing how much getting the bass right opens up and focuses the midrange.
The dimensions on mine are 21" X 22" X 1.25" with 1.5" radiused corners. This radius matches the brass cups provided by Talon. "Absolute black" granite is not only a great match cosmetically, it's also a very, very dense granite.
I have a suspended oak strip-over-joists floor that I place the slabs directly onto. I had the bottoms of the slabs partially finished and I also waxed them so I can reposition the speakers fairly easily once I make sure there is no dirt nearby and the floor is also waxed. I use Minwax finishing wax; it wears like iron.
I find that I too can place my speakers near the back wall, I have cathedral ceiling sloping up from that wall to a 16' peak. I've moved the speakers back half inch at a time till the sound closed in and then moved them back only enough to open them back up. They are toed-in only about 2-3 degrees and are out only 41.5" from the back wall (measured at the woofer caps).
Tom
