How do you like the Jade's? What have you compared them with?
Whoa, this will get me started, so here goes:
Speakers I have had, in order of purchase:
Technics SB-CD320
Pioneer HPM-700
Some number-denominated Magnats (junk)
Infinity Reference 60
Infinity Kappa 70
Canton Ergo SC-L
These Jade 3s (stayed)
Focal Opal 607
Focal Cobalt 815
As you can see, apart from the Ergos, I have never really had high-end speakers, but the gap between what I have heard and the Jades is HUGE.
It has been a battle of switching gear around, as my system was always lacking pure amplification (even now I drive a budget power amp, the Emotiva Bas-X 300).
I have switched tens of mid-range amps and AVRs around, but now with the preamp mentioned (Emotiva XSP-1 Gen2), the Jades SHINE.
I like my music flat, I run all pure directs (even Audyssey in my SR5011 is set to L/R bypass).
The Jades I bought second hand for 500 euros (!), and did NO listening test (wanted to get rid of the Canton Ergos, they sounded AWFUL to me, sold them, and stayed without front speakers for two weeks until I found the Jades!).
In the meantime, I have heard Kef Uni-Qs bookshelves, Elac Uni-Fi bookshelves, Elac BS 6, Magnat Quantums and some vintage Quadrals with magnetic planar mids and highs, and nothing got me more. I would never swap the Jades, at least not to what I have heard, and not without spending 50k immediately
Right now I am spinning Peter Hammill's The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage, and he's playing and singing directly in my brain. It truly is breathtaking, and it is a mere redbook.
Many times I have spun the DVD-A of Gentle Giant's The Power and the Glory - Steven Wilson Remix in 24/96 stereo, and the song Aspirations brings literal tears to my eyes everytime!
Cheers
Andrei