It's hard to beat those VR4 III HSEs, I do believe. They aren't the most beautiful speakers to look at, but the sound is incredible. I only sold mine b/c I had a chance to buy--locally--a pair of VR5 HSE (single cabinet towers). They're great, and have a somewhat brighter sound, which I need now that my hearing in the higher frequencies is declining. But nothing I've heard can compete with those dual 9-inch woofers in the VR4 IIIs.