I really hated my Astin gear compared to the lesser models kicking around my closet. It was way too harsh for my liking and i was given a full reimbursement when i upgraded to a Consonance CD P 3.1. Not to say that the older stuff wouldn't sound just fine with the Astin or Meridian, but not on the 82's or Palladiums. I have had many people question my saying that, and a few people actually came to my home to hear it for themselves...To each his own i guess. If your interested in the stuff i sold back to the store (it was a couple months ago), i'm sure it's still there--> www.questforsound.com